(Above) View of the Small Western Room, Summer Exhibition 2008. Picture courtesy Royal Academy of Arts, London
Exhibition: Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London, until August 16 2009
In its 241st year, the Royal Academy displays its established summer show for 2009. Anticipated for its display of a dizzying array of artists – from the established to the up-and-coming – the show attracts approximately 10,000 entries each year. Since its inception in 1768, it remains the largest open–submission contemporary art exhibition.
Gillian Wearing RA, Lily Cole. C-type photograph
Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Architecture and (phew) Film categories are also included this year. The theme, Making Space, is perhaps a jab at previous criticism for the cluttered appearance of the set-up. The rooms are still overwhelming, but attempts are made to play with the theme of space.
The Small Weston Room deliberately clusters works on top of one another, reminiscent of exhibition styles in previous centuries, where artworks were stacked from floor to ceiling.
Nigel Rolfe, Dust In Face / Dust Breeding (2008/2009). Photographic Giclee print on coated Archival Somerset paper. Picture courtesy the Artist
A flayed-skin Hirst sculpture of Saint Bartholomew greets visitors in the Central Hall, acting as a memorial display to the Royal Academician Jean Cook. The 14 rooms cover the diversity of mediums and styles available to contemporary artists.
Damien Hirst, Saint Bartholomew, Exquisite Pain (2007). Silver, © Damien Hirst. Picture courtesy Prudence Cuming Associates
The dark and dramatic Architecture room provides an interesting break in the exhibition. Curated by Will Alsop, there are works included by Zaha Hadid, Eric Parry, Norman Foster and Piers Gough.
Though many of the models are placed in a manner which makes them difficult to fully inspect, the works provide an interesting glimpse into creative architectural modelling.
Alsop’s commentary reminds visitors of the severe effect the recession has on the industry, devoting the room to creations which might not always feasibly be produced.
Danny Rolph, Gladstone (2009). Mixed media on Tripplewall. Picture courtesy the Artist and AR / Contemporary, Milan
The Summer Exhibition sculptures dominate many of the works, including a large and heavy Anthony Caro sculpture and a disturbing Pieta named Iraq: The Sound of Your Silence.
The show also presents fresh perspectives by unknown artists and some re-interpretations of established artists, awarding £70,000 of prize money to nominated artists each year.
David Mach RA, Predator. Postcard collage
The Film room lingers near the end of the exhibition, and the large empty space contrasts sharply with the bright variety of the other rooms. Of the 1,266 works on display, the first room contains one of the finest works, a dramatic and massive Anslem Kiefer Tryptique.
Cy Twombly, 1928. The Rose (III), acrylic on plywood. © Twombly. Gagosian Gallery and Eli and Edythe L Broad Collection, Los Angeles
The majority of the works are available for sale and, even if a purchase is not on the agenda, the RAA Summer show provides an opportunity to marvel at the mass of artistic production.
Admission £3-£7 (free for under-7s). Call 0844 209 1919 or visit the Royal Academy of Arts online to book.
The BBC 2 will feature a special on the Summer Exhibition in this year’s Culture Show playing Wednesday June 10, 2009 at 7pm.
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