David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)
大衛·霍克尼：更大更近（而不是更小更遠）

22 February – 3 December 2023

Lightroom, King’s Cross

 

Designed by 59 Productions in collaboration with Haworth Tompkins, Lighroom in King’s Cross is a sister space to the award-winning Bridge Theatre. This is London’s newest home for artist-led shows and the current host of the immersive exhibition “David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)”. To celebrate David Hockney’s 86th Birthday on 9th July, Lightroom reveals a portrait created by chalk artist, Julian Beever, outside the entrance to Lightroom. David Hockney, one of the world’s most acclaimed and popular living artists, created his landmark launch show for Lightroom which has now welcomed more than 200,000 visitors since opening in February this year, and is extending bookings with tickets on sale until 3rd December 2023.

“Bigger & Closer” is a retrospective journey through Hockney’s illustrious 60-year career. The exhibition is divided into six “chapters”, each showcasing a different era or aspect of Hockney’s work. It employs large-scale projections and high-end audio equipment to create an immersive, cinematic experience. Hockney’s voice, recorded from old interviews, echoes throughout the space, providing commentary and reflections on his work and artistic philosophy. This gives the exhibition a deeply personal touch, as if Hockney himself is guiding the audience through his life and career.

However, “Bigger & Closer” is not a traditional work of art. Instead, it is a new type of cinematic experience, in which images are projected onto enormous screens that engulf the viewer from all sides, and even underfoot. This innovative approach is in line with Hockney’s long-standing fascination with technology and its potential applications in art. Over the years, Hockney has experimented with various technologies, from photocopiers and fax machines to instant cameras and iPads, in his artistic practice. It is like watching an immersive documentary of Hockney’s art. This placement provides a smooth transition from discussing the exhibition’s format to describing the viewer’s experience. It emphasizes the immersive and documentary-like nature of the exhibition, reinforcing the unique and innovative approach taken by Hockney in this exhibition.

Despite the grand scale of the exhibition, the visual quality of the artworks is maintained. The images, each larger than a bus, are not pixelated or distorted, but appear as clear and vibrant as the original artworks. This is particularly effective in the section about Hockney’s pictures of swimming pools, where his depictions of water patterns flicker across the audience’s heads and feet, creating a sense of immersion. “Bigger & Closer” is not just a technical accomplishment, but also a moving reflection on Hockney’s career. The exhibition strikes a ruminative, gentle note, as the audience listens to Hockney’s reflections on his past achievements and his views on the shortcomings of linear perspective.

The exhibition presents a unique opportunity for visitors to perceive the world through Hockney’s artistic lens. It showcases his experimental approach to perspective and photography, his intriguing Polaroid collages, and his innovative iPad drawings. The journey of the show transports us from the vibrant streets of LA to the serene landscapes of Yorkshire and Normandy, culminating in an animated reimagining of his stage designs for the opera house. Unlike typical immersive experiences, this exhibition is distinguished by the active involvement of Hockney himself, rendering it a significant and innovative piece of work. The inclusion of Hockney’s voice, sharing his thoughts and observations, creates an intimate atmosphere, as if the audience is experiencing the world through his eyes.

Despite initial skepticism, the exhibition proves to be captivating and serves as a fitting tribute to Hockney’s relentless energy and passion for art. The David Hockney exhibition is the result of a three-year collaboration between the artist and the creators of Lightroom. It is the first in a series of original shows planned by the venue, each made with leading artists and innovators, promising to be visually astonishing, alive with sound, and rich in new perspectives. This extended run offers an unprecedented opportunity for art lovers to immerse themselves in the work of one of the world’s most popular living artists, still innovating and creating beauty and awe.

Richard Slaney, CEO of Lightroom, expressed his delight at the audience’s response to the show. “We’ve been completely overwhelmed by the response to the show from audiences since opening and are delighted to be able to extend bookings through to October,” said Slaney, “It’s wonderful to see such a cross-generational audience experiencing the show together.”

“David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)” is more than just an exhibition; it’s an immersive experience that invites visitors to step into the world of one of the most influential artists of our time. It’s a testament to Hockney’s innovative spirit, his mastery of various mediums, and his ability to continually push the boundaries of what’s possible in art. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Hockney or new to his work, this exhibition would bring you profound joy and relaxation.

由59 Productions與Haworth Tompkins合作設計的Lightroom位於倫敦國王十字區，是屢獲殊榮的Bridge Theatre的姐妹空間。作為倫敦最新的藝術家主導展覽場地，Lightroom目前正在舉辦沉浸式展覽《大衛·霍克尼：更大更近（而不是更小更遠）》。為了慶祝大衛·霍克尼在7月9日的86歲生日，Lightroom在入口外展示了由粉筆藝術家Julian Beever創作的肖像。大衛·霍克尼是世界上最受讚譽和最受歡迎的在世藝術家之一，他為Lightroom創建了標誌性的系列首展，自今年2月開幕以來已經吸引了超過200,000名訪客，由於該展覽引起了觀眾強烈的共鳴並獲得了熱烈的迴響，因此該展展期將延長到2023年12月3日。

《更大更近》是對霍克尼輝煌的60年職業生涯的回顧之旅。該展覽分為六個“章節”，每個章節都展示了霍克尼不同時期和形式的創作。它利用大型投影和高端音響設備創造出一種沉浸式的電影體驗。霍克尼的聲音在整個空間中迴響，為他的作品和藝術哲學引入評論和反思。這樣的自述使得展覽具有深深的個人色彩，就像霍克尼自己正在引導觀眾走進他的生活和藝術。

然而，《更大更近》並不是一種傳統的藝術作品。相反，它是一種新型的電影體驗，其中的圖像被投影到巨大的屏幕上，從所有方向，甚至從腳下包圍觀眾。這種創新的方法符合霍克尼對技術及其在藝術中的應用的著迷。多年來，霍克尼在他的藝術實踐中嘗試了各種技術，從影印機和傳真機到即時相機和iPad。這就像在觀看霍克尼藝術的沉浸式紀錄片。 儘管展覽的規模宏大，但藝術品的視覺質量得到了保證。每一幅比公共汽車還大的圖像都沒有像素化或扭曲，而是像原始藝術品一樣清晰和生動。這在霍克尼的游泳池畫作部分尤其有效，他對水的描繪在觀眾的頭頂和腳下閃爍，創造出一種沉浸感。

《更大更近》不僅是一項技術成就，也是對霍克尼職業生涯的反思。該展覽為觀眾提供了一個獨特的機會，通過霍克尼的藝術鏡頭來感知世界。它展示了他對透視和攝影的實驗性方法，例如他引人入勝的寶麗來拼貼畫，以及他的創新iPad繪畫。展覽的旅程將我們從美國洛杉磯的繁華街道帶到英國約克郡和法國諾曼底的寧靜風景，最後在他為歌劇院設計的舞台設計的動畫重塑中達到高潮。

與典型的沉浸式體驗不同，這次展覽由霍克尼本人積極參與，使其成為一項重要且創新的作品。 霍克尼的聲音融入影片當中，分享了他的思考和觀察，營造出一種親密的氛圍，就好像觀眾正在透過他的眼睛體驗世界。

儘管最初存在懷疑，但展覽證明是引人入勝的，並恰當地向霍克尼對藝術的不懈熱情和能量致敬。大衛·霍克尼這次的展覽是藝術家與Lightroom進行了三年合作的成果，這也是該場地計劃的一系列原創展覽中的首個展覽。這次延長展覽的展覽為藝術愛好者提供了一個前所未有的機會，讓他們沉浸在世界上最受歡迎的在世藝術家的作品當中。

Lightroom的首席執行官理查德·斯萊尼對觀眾對展覽的反應表示欣喜。斯萊尼說：“自開幕以來，我們對觀眾對展覽的反應感到震驚，並很高興能夠將展期延長到十月。看到如此跨代的觀眾一起體驗展覽真是太棒了。”

《大衛·霍克尼：更大更近（而不是更小更遠）》不僅僅是一個展覽；它是一種沉浸式體驗，邀請訪客走進我們時代最具影響力的藝術家之一的世界。它證明了霍克尼的創新精神，他對各種媒介的精通，以及他在藝術中不斷推動可能性的邊界的能力。無論你是對霍克尼的作品有深厚認識，還是首次接觸他的藝術，這個展覽都將帶給你深深的喜悅和放鬆。

 

Edited 編輯 x Michelle Yu 余小悦