Damien Hirst to represent Britain at the Olympics. Sort of.

I’m now officially excited about the Olympics!

As part of the ambitious plans for a national Cultural Olympiad, Tate Modern have announced that they’ll be hosting some exciting exhibitions.  The one I’m most excited about is a survey of Damien Hirst’s work, including some of his most famous work.  Although some commentators have suggested that featuring Hirst is a bit obvious, it’s going to be a massive crowd pleaser.  The exhibition will run from 5th April until 9th September 2012.

Tate are also planning exhibitions focussing on Picasso and Edvard Munch, and a new installation for the Turbine Hall.  There are more details in the press release.

Apparently there’ll be some sport going on too.

Looking forward to an art-filled 2011!

"Yielding Stone" by Gabriel Orozco, 1992

Whatever 2011 brings, it promises to be packed with lots of exciting arty treats.  I’ve put together a list of just a few things on offer

in the New Year.  I’ll be trying to get to as many of them as I can, and, of course, to blog them.  You might not think all of them are blogworthy, but that’s the beauty of being the author - I get to choose!  But please feel free to leave a comment if you know of something which should be added to my list.  (Also, big thanks to a piece in the Observer for kicking this off).

Ai Weiwei Under House Arrest

Ai Weiwei seems to be popping up on a weekly basis since he unveiled his latest work “Sunflower Seeds” at Tate Modern.  But I spotted in the news today that he was held under house arrest in Beijing over the weekend to prevent him staging a protest at the demolition of his new studio in Shanghai.

“Be Be (The Nativity)” (1896) by Paul Gauguin

"Be Be (The Nativity)" (1896) by Paul Gauguin

Sorry if it’s too early to be talking about Christmas, but here’s another picture from Gauguin: Maker of Myth at Tate Modern.

“Gauguin: Maker of Myth” at Tate Modern

A couple of weeks ago I went to see the new Gauguin exhibition at Tate Modern with the inimitable Sam Crossley.  It’s a great exhibition, which has been put together in a really thoughtful way, and I’m still pondering lots of what was on display.  But the first room in the exhibition probably got me thinking the most…