Barbican does Brazil

Whilst Kerry had her monthly mop chop I decided to view the Brazilian art exhibition, Tropicalia at the Barbican. This was the first time I'd ever been to the Barbican and the building site entrance and dull concrete didn't impress at first.

After the confusing entry, more disappointment came with no photography being allowed so have used their website graphic above. However, this exact graphic had nothing to do with the art inside which was slightly disappointing. Instead the majority of the art displayed were old 70's experimental concept art to test other senses. With no photos allowed I tried to take notes along the way.

First up were some welder-like goggles with circular-mirrors attached to the front then another pair of goggles on the opposite side. Next a tray of sports related balls, tennis, ping-pong etc. Random or what. Further on a TV screen showed a film of a moustached man laying a see-through sheet of plastic over a woman and touching her through it. My short attention was taken away by the shriek of two macaw parrots around the corner to welcome you to the next art experience. These birds were huge, colourful, either gnawing at wood or climbing around but served focal point before the area of shanty wood, sand and cloth divisions. Before exploring this area signs requested to remove shoes to again, enhance the experience. One of the walled areas was just empty of nothing, another was like a small maze to a b&w TV with BBC2 tuned in. Next door was a tent with some headphones inside where samba music was played - sort of Glastonbury would be like if in Brazil. This installation finished for me with troughs of either shredded magazines or settee stuffing through long curtains. Whoever devised this was having a right laugh or took one step further from just talking out of their ar$e. According to the inch thick book to buy, the installation was actually first built in 1969 and displayed in Whitechapel, London.

Another section of the exhibit was dedicated to the art of music, alot more interesting than the concept stuff with samba musicians photographed in outrageous 70's gear or graphic design with colours suiting Yellow Submarine. Upstairs was little more interesting with a film about recent dance-offs between Naomi Campbell look-a-likes doing vogue dancing to gangsta-rap-house music. More sedate music could be listened to with wierd electronic folk/samba music around the corner plus a video installation of flotsom and jetsom with lapping water sound.

Hunger and boredom brought the exhibition to an end so I wandered around the local area getting some Barbican photos. Walking back to the tube I spotted an original rat figure Banksy left on the wall. Photos to follow on FlickR.