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== Blenheim Art Foundation ==
== Blenheim Art Foundation ==
The Foundation launched on 1 October 2014 with the UK’s largest ever exhibition by [[Ai Weiwei]], which welcomed more than 300,000 visitors making it one of the most-seen exhibitions of contemporary art in the UK in 2014.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Ai Weiwei prepares for Blenheim Palace show but must keep his distance|url = http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/aug/28/ai-weiwei-blenheim-palace-show-3d-computer-model|website = the Guardian|accessdate = 2015-09-15|first = Maev|last = Kennedy}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://www.museus.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/TheArtNewspaper_Ranking2014.pdf|title = The Art Newspaper Visitor Figures 2014|date = April 2015|accessdate = 15 September 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>  
The Foundation launched on 1 October 2014 with the UK’s largest ever exhibition by [[Ai Weiwei]], which welcomed more than 300,000 visitors making it one of the most-seen exhibitions of contemporary art in the UK in 2014.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Ai Weiwei prepares for Blenheim Palace show but must keep his distance|url = http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/aug/28/ai-weiwei-blenheim-palace-show-3d-computer-model|website = the Guardian|accessdate = 2015-09-15|first = Maev|last = Kennedy}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|title = Artist not in residence|url = http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2014/10/ai-weiwei|newspaper = The Economist|access-date = 2015-09-30|issn = 0013-0613}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://www.museus.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/TheArtNewspaper_Ranking2014.pdf|title = The Art Newspaper Visitor Figures 2014|date = April 2015|accessdate = 15 September 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>  


BAF offers visitors the opportunity to experience contemporary art in the historic setting of [[Blenheim Palace]] and its grounds in Woodstock, [[Oxfordshire]] a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] since 1987. The Foundation sets out its mission as aiming to give the greatest number of people access to the most innovative contemporary artists working today, aspiring to break away from the ‘white cube’ aesthetic that is often associated with the display of [[contemporary art]], offering the unique experience of seeing the work of world-class artists in the context of the historic palace.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lawrence Weiner. Within a Realm of Distance|url = http://wsimag.com/art/16850-lawrence-weiner-within-a-realm-of-distance|accessdate = 2015-09-30}}</ref> BAF's website furthers: “Blenheim Art Foundation seeks to show artists most relevant to our time and looks to those who question conventional thinking in contemporary art. The fundamental ambition of the Blenheim Art Foundation is to challenge, engage, and excite the visitors at Blenheim, where the programme is continually evolving.”<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title = About {{!}} Blenheim Art Foundation|url = http://blenheimartfoundation.org.uk/about/|accessdate = 2015-09-15|first = Blenheim Art|last = Foundation}}</ref>
BAF offers visitors the opportunity to experience contemporary art in the historic setting of [[Blenheim Palace]] and its grounds in Woodstock, [[Oxfordshire]] a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] since 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Aesthetica Magazine – Lawrence Weiner, Within a Realm of Distance, Blenheim Palace|url = http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/lawrence-weiner-within-a-realm-of-distance-blenheim-palace/|accessdate = 2015-09-30}}</ref> The Foundation sets out its mission as aiming to give the greatest number of people access to the most innovative contemporary artists working today, aspiring to break away from the ‘white cube’ aesthetic that is often associated with the display of [[contemporary art]], offering the unique experience of seeing the work of world-class artists in the context of the historic palace.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lawrence Weiner. Within a Realm of Distance|url = http://wsimag.com/art/16850-lawrence-weiner-within-a-realm-of-distance|accessdate = 2015-09-30}}</ref> BAF's website furthers: “Blenheim Art Foundation seeks to show artists most relevant to our time and looks to those who question conventional thinking in contemporary art. The fundamental ambition of the Blenheim Art Foundation is to challenge, engage, and excite the visitors at Blenheim, where the programme is continually evolving.”<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title = About {{!}} Blenheim Art Foundation|url = http://blenheimartfoundation.org.uk/about/|accessdate = 2015-09-15|first = Blenheim Art|last = Foundation}}</ref>


Blenheim Art Foundation was founded by Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill, son of the [[John Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough|11th Duke of Marlborough, John Spencer-Churchill]]. A dedicated collector of contemporary art, Lord Edward has long held the ambition to launch a contemporary art programme at [[Blenheim Palace]] since he started collecting contemporary art in 2004.
Blenheim Art Foundation was founded by Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill, son of the [[John Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough|11th Duke of Marlborough, John Spencer-Churchill]]. Lord Edward has held the ambition to launch a contemporary art programme at [[Blenheim Palace]] since he started collecting contemporary art in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lawrence Weiner American artist and founding figure of Conceptual Art to be next artist at Blenheim Art Foundation. {{!}} FAD Magazine|url = http://fadmagazine.com/2015/07/23/lawrence-weiner-american-artist-and-founding-figure-of-conceptual-art-to-be-next-artist-at-blenheim-art-foundation/|accessdate = 2015-09-30|first = Mark|last = Westall}}</ref>


== Exhibition history ==
== Exhibition history ==


=== Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace (2014) ===
=== Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace (2014) ===
Blenheim Art Foundation launched with the exhibition ''[http://blenheimartfoundation.org.uk/exhibitions/ai-weiwei-at-blenheim-palace/ Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace]'', which took place 1 October 2014 - 26 April 2015. It was the largest UK exhibition to date by Chinese artist and social activist, [[Ai Weiwei]], which presented more than 50 new and iconic artworks throughout the Palace and its grounds.<ref name=":0" /> Artworks ranged from photographs taken by Ai Weiwei whilst living in [[New York City|New York]] during the 1980s, through to a 40m long carpet created especially for the exhibition for display in the Great Hall. Also exhibited was a table formed from wood and reclaimed from temples dating to the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Dynasty]] (1644 -1911), intricately hand-painted porcelain plates, and Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads: Gold, Ai Weiwei’s reinterpretation of the legendary bronze zodiac head statues that once surrounded the fountain-clock at Emperor Yuanming Yuan’s Beijing imperial retreat.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.zodiacheads.com|title = Ai Weiwei - Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads|date = |accessdate = 15 September 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
Blenheim Art Foundation launched with the exhibition ''[http://blenheimartfoundation.org.uk/exhibitions/ai-weiwei-at-blenheim-palace/ Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace]'', which took place 1 October 2014 - 26 April 2015. It was the largest UK exhibition to date by Chinese artist and social activist, [[Ai Weiwei]], which presented more than 50 new and iconic artworks throughout the Palace and its grounds.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> Artworks ranged from photographs taken by Ai Weiwei whilst living in [[New York City|New York]] during the 1980s, through to a 40m long carpet created especially for the exhibition for display in the Great Hall. Also exhibited was a table formed from wood and reclaimed from temples dating to the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Dynasty]] (1644 -1911), intricately hand-painted porcelain plates, and Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads: Gold, Ai Weiwei’s reinterpretation of the legendary bronze zodiac head statues that once surrounded the fountain-clock at Emperor Yuanming Yuan’s Beijing imperial retreat.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.zodiacheads.com|title = Ai Weiwei - Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads|date = |accessdate = 15 September 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>


==== Reception ====
==== Reception ====
Due to the popularity of the exhibition, ''[http://blenheimartfoundation.org.uk/exhibitions/ai-weiwei-at-blenheim-palace/ Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace]'' was extended for twice the planned duration, finally closing 26 April 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Blenheim Palace’s staff invite artist Ai Weiwei to visit|url = http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13502223.Blenheim_Palace___s_staff_invite_artist_Ai_Weiwei_to_visit/?ref=rss|website = Oxford Mail|accessdate = 2015-09-15}}</ref> The exhibition was seen by over 300,000 visitors, making it one of the most-seen exhibitions of contemporary art in the UK in 2014 based in comparison with worldwide exhibition visitor figures for 2014.<ref name=":1" />
Due to visitor figures, the exhibition ''[http://blenheimartfoundation.org.uk/exhibitions/ai-weiwei-at-blenheim-palace/ Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace]'' was extended for twice the planned duration, finally closing 26 April 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Blenheim Palace’s staff invite artist Ai Weiwei to visit|url = http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13502223.Blenheim_Palace___s_staff_invite_artist_Ai_Weiwei_to_visit/?ref=rss|website = Oxford Mail|accessdate = 2015-09-15}}</ref> The exhibition received over 300,000 visitors, making it one of the most-seen exhibitions of contemporary art in the UK in 2014 based in comparison with worldwide exhibition visitor figures for 2014.<ref name=":1" />


'''The Guardian, Jonathan Jones''': ‘5 stars’ ‘a chaotic, hilarious, liberating vision of history gone mad’ ‘magical feast of images and ideas’<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ai Weiwei takes his place among the greats amid the opulence of Blenheim|url = http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/sep/26/ai-weiwei-among-greats-opulence-blenheim|website = the Guardian|accessdate = 2015-09-15|first = Jonathan|last = Jones}}</ref> 
'''The Guardian, Jonathan Jones''': ‘5 stars’ ‘a chaotic, hilarious, liberating vision of history gone mad’ ‘magical feast of images and ideas’<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ai Weiwei takes his place among the greats amid the opulence of Blenheim|url = http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/sep/26/ai-weiwei-among-greats-opulence-blenheim|website = the Guardian|accessdate = 2015-09-15|first = Jonathan|last = Jones}}</ref> 

Revision as of 11:32, 30 September 2015

Blenheim Art Foundation
Established2014
LocationWoodstock, Oxfordshire, UK
FounderLord Edward Spencer-Churchill
DirectorMichael Frahm

Blenheim Art Foundation (BAF) is a non-profit organisation showcasing large-scale contemporary art exhibitions at Blenheim Palace.

Blenheim Art Foundation

The Foundation launched on 1 October 2014 with the UK’s largest ever exhibition by Ai Weiwei, which welcomed more than 300,000 visitors making it one of the most-seen exhibitions of contemporary art in the UK in 2014.[1][2][3]  

BAF offers visitors the opportunity to experience contemporary art in the historic setting of Blenheim Palace and its grounds in Woodstock, Oxfordshire a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.[4] The Foundation sets out its mission as aiming to give the greatest number of people access to the most innovative contemporary artists working today, aspiring to break away from the ‘white cube’ aesthetic that is often associated with the display of contemporary art, offering the unique experience of seeing the work of world-class artists in the context of the historic palace.[5] BAF's website furthers: “Blenheim Art Foundation seeks to show artists most relevant to our time and looks to those who question conventional thinking in contemporary art. The fundamental ambition of the Blenheim Art Foundation is to challenge, engage, and excite the visitors at Blenheim, where the programme is continually evolving.”[6]

Blenheim Art Foundation was founded by Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill, son of the 11th Duke of Marlborough, John Spencer-Churchill. Lord Edward has held the ambition to launch a contemporary art programme at Blenheim Palace since he started collecting contemporary art in 2004.[7]

Exhibition history

Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace (2014)

Blenheim Art Foundation launched with the exhibition Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace, which took place 1 October 2014 - 26 April 2015. It was the largest UK exhibition to date by Chinese artist and social activist, Ai Weiwei, which presented more than 50 new and iconic artworks throughout the Palace and its grounds.[1][2] Artworks ranged from photographs taken by Ai Weiwei whilst living in New York during the 1980s, through to a 40m long carpet created especially for the exhibition for display in the Great Hall. Also exhibited was a table formed from wood and reclaimed from temples dating to the Qing Dynasty (1644 -1911), intricately hand-painted porcelain plates, and Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads: Gold, Ai Weiwei’s reinterpretation of the legendary bronze zodiac head statues that once surrounded the fountain-clock at Emperor Yuanming Yuan’s Beijing imperial retreat.[8]

Reception

Due to visitor figures, the exhibition Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace was extended for twice the planned duration, finally closing 26 April 2015.[9] The exhibition received over 300,000 visitors, making it one of the most-seen exhibitions of contemporary art in the UK in 2014 based in comparison with worldwide exhibition visitor figures for 2014.[3]

The Guardian, Jonathan Jones: ‘5 stars’ ‘a chaotic, hilarious, liberating vision of history gone mad’ ‘magical feast of images and ideas’[10] 

The Daily Telegraph, Florence Waters: ‘old combines with new, East with West, and good taste with bling, in such a subtle way that it is almost seamless’ ‘Weiwei is the perfect choice to show at such an intimidating venue because he’s never been afraid of taking on the powerful.’[11] 

The Guardian, Maev Kennedy: ‘Blenheim Palace makes room for art’s new master’[1] 

BBC Radio 3, Rana Mitter: 'an extraordinary artist who has only got better and more important as time goes on’ ‘a true global art superstar’ ‘a contemporary king’ ‘simply the most famous artist in the world’[12] 

Architectural Digest, Natalia Rachlin: ‘breathtaking’[13] 

The Times, Saturday Review, Leo Lewis: ‘Ai finds himself unable to discern very much, but is convinced that his exhibition and its invasion of such a proud aristocratic strong-hold is a “naughty act”. ‘It is a show, he says, about testing intellectual themes in an environment whose background is alien to Ai’s life and to China.’[14] 

Sky News, Lucy Cotter: ‘Ai Weiwei is one of the world’s most important artists, fearless in his social activism’ ‘The Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei has opened the first of what’s hoped to be a series of major exhibitions at Winston Churchill’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace’[15] 

BBC 10 o’clock News, David Silito: ‘It’s exciting enough that one of the great contemporary artists should have more than 50 of his works in one place but Ai Weiwei, an architect by training, has never actually visited Blenheim to gage how his exhibition will look’; ‘the most famous Chinese artist in the West’ ‘the mix of Chinese contemporary art and British stately home does give you something to think about’[16] 

The Times, Saturday Review, Rachel Campbell-Johnston: ‘Blenheim Palace launches its new contemporary art programme by playing host to the most extensive exhibition of his work to be staged in this country.’[17] 

The Guardian Guide, Skye Sherwin: ‘Blenheim Palace, the 18th-century landmark of aristocratic might, has a megawatt star to christen its new Art Foundation.’[18] 

FT Weekend UK, Asia & USA, Jackie Wullschlager: ‘an exhibition of Ai Weiwei, the world’s most celebrated, original artist-social activist’ ‘a dizzying convergence of values and world views’.[19] 

The New Statesman, Mark Lawson: ‘magnificent exhibition’ ‘the exhibition thrills’ the great themes of Ai Weiwei’s brave life and art’ ‘the most arresting exhibition of the year.’[20]


Within a Realm of Distance: Lawrence Weiner at Blenheim Palace (2015)

Blenheim Art Foundation’s second exhibition, Within a Realm of Distance: Lawrence Weiner at Blenheim Palace, will open 10 October - 20 December 2015. The exhibition will exhibit works by American artist and founding figure of Conceptual Art, Lawrence Weiner. On display will be works conceived by the artist over the past several decades, in addition to new site-specific works created especially for the Palace.[21] Works will be integrated throughout the internal Palace rooms as well as the monumental exterior of the 18th-century building.[22] Lawrence Weiner’s career spans over fifty years, and his signature style is to use language as a medium to create sculpture.[23]

Within a Realm of Distance was conceived by the artist in collaboration with Blenheim Art Foundation and co-curator Christian Gether, Director, ARKEN Museum of Modern Art. 

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire,UK

Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne to the 1st Duke of Marlborough for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.[6] Designated by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site in 1987, Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.[6] Handed down through successive generations, the Palace today continues to be resided in by the Spencer-Churchill family and is the official seat of the current and 12th Duke of Marlborough, Jamie Spencer-Churchill.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c Kennedy, Maev. "Ai Weiwei prepares for Blenheim Palace show but must keep his distance". the Guardian. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  2. ^ a b "Artist not in residence". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  3. ^ a b "The Art Newspaper Visitor Figures 2014" (PDF). April 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Aesthetica Magazine – Lawrence Weiner, Within a Realm of Distance, Blenheim Palace". Retrieved 2015-09-30. {{cite web}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 22 (help)
  5. ^ "Lawrence Weiner. Within a Realm of Distance". Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  6. ^ a b c d Foundation, Blenheim Art. "About | Blenheim Art Foundation". Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  7. ^ Westall, Mark. "Lawrence Weiner American artist and founding figure of Conceptual Art to be next artist at Blenheim Art Foundation. | FAD Magazine". Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  8. ^ "Ai Weiwei - Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads". Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  9. ^ "Blenheim Palace's staff invite artist Ai Weiwei to visit". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  10. ^ Jones, Jonathan. "Ai Weiwei takes his place among the greats amid the opulence of Blenheim". the Guardian. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  11. ^ "Ai Weiwei, Blenheim Palace, review: 'what fun'". Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  12. ^ "Installation image at Blenheim Palace, Ai Weiwei, Bubble, 2008 - Installation views for Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace, 1 October – 14 December 2014 - Kristin Scott Thomas as Electra, Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace, Free Thinking - BBC Radio 3". BBC. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  13. ^ "Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace". Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  14. ^ "Ai Weiwei: 'It's impossible to out-think the authorities, they make the rules' | The Times". Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  15. ^ "Ai Weiwei On 'Soft Detention' As UK Show Begins". Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  16. ^ "Ai Weiwei exhibit takes over Blenheim Palace". BBC News. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  17. ^ "Ai Weiwei: the artist who cannot be gagged | The Times". Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  18. ^ Clark, Robert; Sherwin, Skye. "Ai Weiwei, Modern Toss, The Turner Prize: this week's new exhibitions". the Guardian. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  19. ^ Wullschlager, Jackie (2014-09-26). "Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace". Financial Times. ISSN 0307-1766. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  20. ^ "In this week's New Statesman: Grayson Perry Guest Edit". www.newstatesman.com. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  21. ^ "Blenheim Palace to Present Major Lawrence Weiner Exhibition | Artinfo". Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  22. ^ Fund, Art. "Lawrence Weiner: Within a Realm of Distance". Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  23. ^ "Artists at Work: Lawrence Weiner". Retrieved 2015-09-15.
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