Sunday 23 May 2021

'Rupture No 1: blowtorching the bitten peach' by Heather Phillipson at Tate Britain

Tate Britain has re-opened and there's a grand new installation by Heather Phillipson to experience. Heather's title is 'Rupture No 1: blowtorching the bitten peach' but I prefer mine: The All-Seeing Great Horned God Of A Thousand Eyes.' My title is more descriptive and very apt for those wishing to worship him and partake of the visions and wisdom in his inner sanctum. 

The God resides in the central halls of Tate Britain in a glow of changing colours and mysteries. First up are millions of video screens built into piles of rock salt (probably previous offerings) featuring some of the God's eyes, thick ropes descending from the ceiling, speakers dotted around to feed us wisdom in random sounds and lights changing colours. And then you see the Great Horned God standing tall, almost touching the ceiling. He's a God for the seasons, covered in sheets of newspapers to keep him up to date and current. 



If you walk between his legs you can see his priests involved in sacred mysteries around the holy pool of water and, if you're lucky, you can go into the inner sanctum to see the altar and witness the glowing prophecies from the God's ecstasies. If you're very lucky, you will emerge into daylight again a changed person. The Great Horned God is generous.

Do I need to mention that I loved this installation and let my mind go wandering in all the shapes and colours and textures and lights? I shall return to worship at the feet of the God.





No comments: