Cultural Magpie: Jonathan Jones on the Whitechapel

Here's a great feature in the Guardian on the eagerly anticipated new Whitechapel Gallery.

I'm not always sure about Jonathan Jones. I know he's a genius, and an amazing writer. But I don't always understand what he's writing about, the references he makes. Art isn't my strong point, although I'm learning things all the time.

This piece, however, makes great reading.

I haven't been to the Whitechapel, but I've written about it. And this article, filled with references to people I've been learning more about in the last two years (Mark Wallinger, Cornelia Parker, Nicholas Serota, Cy Twombly, Rachel Whiteread) really gives you a taste of the gallery, the artists involved, as well as the wider city, and the art world as a whole too.

Here's a choice snippet from the end, although I could have picked several from the article:

In this new age, good public art galleries have a renewed vocation. Artists will need supportive environments more than ever, and modern art itself will need powerful champions in a Britain likely to revert to conservatism with both a small and a large C.

Anyway, art isn't everything. The Whitechapel is still surrounded by poverty, and its original, philanthropic purpose remains as urgent as ever. I've left the Whitechapel's most beautiful new space until last. Right at the top of the building, a glass-walled studio enjoys an astonishing view over the neighbourhood, including Hawksmoor's Christ Church and Toynbee Hall. I walked in expecting this to be the swanky new restaurant, but it turns out to be the education room, dedicated to teaching school children about contemporary art. The best view has been kept for them.

Boris' Cultural Strategy for London

This was yesterday's news, but what with work and needing to see the lovely Lesley in Carousel in the evening (plus Spooks), I didn't get a chance to write about it, either here or on londonist.

So, here's Boris' plan for the future of London's culture.

Happily, there's talk about getting people out to the Boroughs, the continuation of the funky Fourth Plinth plan, and a nice idea about a musical instrument amnesty (backed by everyone from Time Out to Julian Lloyd Webber, it seems) to encourage instrument playing for the young. Never a bad thing.

Lindsey from londonist was quick to point out that it's borough-based support that's got Boris where he is today (next door, not queueing for lunch).

The Guardian and many others focus on the "less hip hop, more high culture" line, which I supposed makes better headlines for the papers.

I guess I'm just pleased it's being talked about.

The London Film Day sounds good. The Story of London event sounds like it's going to mean a lot of work, but I do like the musical instrument amnesty idea.

Talking about making culture "better", whether that's cheaper, more varied, more representative, more accessible, or whatever has to be a good thing.

After however long of no-one hearing anything from City Hall on much at all, at least now we have something concrete from them. And if it's all that Munira Mirza's words (apart from the use of "funkapolitan" to describe our "museums of glass and steel", wherever they are; and "cosmopolitan, multilingual and polychromatic") and not from Mr J himself (can't bring myself to ever use the BoJo moniker, eugh), who cares?

And I'll back Charlotte Higgins as she writes:

"I also agree with the authors of the report when they write the following: "It is often presumed that young people will only like art that they can immediately relate to. Working-class students may be steered towards popular culture like hip-hop, new media and film, on the basis that they will find older art forms like opera or ballet irrelevant. This approach patronises young people and limits their horizons. With proper support and encouragement, arts organisations can play a big role in opening young people's minds, and deepening their appreciation of culture from any time or place." It's about time someone put that thought in black and white."

Fewer events in Trafalgar Square makes my job a little easier too...

Londonist: Arts Ahead 12-19 November

London's arts scene has a time-travelling theme this week. See the best of November's openings and closings, and you'll traverse time from the earliest myths to the most modern art, plus a final trip to Manchester's contemporary pop scene before it leaves London altogether.

Think Impressionism was all about the French? Think again. Sisley in England and Wales opens today at the National. It's a rare chance to see rugged British landscapes rendered all soft and impressionisty. From tomorrow, explore the greatest story ever told about a building as Babylon: Myth and Reality opens at the British Museum. Critics are already raving about the BM's latest blockbuster; see for yourself from Thursday.

Another exciting blockbuster, Darwin opens on Friday, at the Natural History Museum. Look at Darwin's original manuscripts, understand the impact of the bearded one's radical ideas, and check out his specimens from live iguanas to horned frogs at this funky interactive exhibition. It's on til March if you want to avoid the first-week crowds.

Theatre travels from the sublime to the ridiculous, as one should expect. The odd-sounding Chav Scum Kills God descends into hell at the Courtyard Theatre from today; at the same time as the RSC's Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes brings revolution to London's stunning Wilton's Music Hall.

Take your kiddie-winks along to Michael Rosen's ace-sounding Pinocchio at the Polka Theatre from Friday. And Doctor Who heads into theatre as Noises Off opens at the New Wimbledon from Monday.

Last Chance To See

Never Forget! finishes its run at the Savoy on Saturday, and heads off on tour round the country. Say what you like about musicals based on a bad Take That tribute band, we bloody loved this, and so did many others. Go for the sparkling, witty choreography. That, and remarkable rain special effects.

Saturday is also your last chance to see Julian Opie's stuff at The Lisson Gallery. If you can't make it, we recommend taking a look around their lovely website anyway.

Finally, Flamenco Flamen'ka flounces out of the Lyric this weekend. Missed it? We heard it wasn't that good anyway.

Gorgeous image: Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) The Cliff at Penarth, Evening, Low Tide, 1897. © Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. Acquired with the assistance of The Art Fund and the Gibbs Family Trust, 1993 (NMW A2695)