Post Script: Return to Margate 21st April 2012

Having been frustrated at the time that the 'Turner and the Elements' exhibition at the Turner Contemporary gallery was closed, I vowed to return to Margate and so it happens on 22nd April that I do, this time sans bike and in the relative comfort of a car with Ruth accompanying me to share the experience.

Sometimes you get a good feeling about a place and for me the Turner Contemporary is one of those.  It's quite austere in appearance - intersecting concrete cubes with a roof that slopes - but it takes full advantage of its position on the sea front facing north over Herne Bay to the Essex shoreline opposite by dominating the skyline as you approach the town from the West.  Plus they do sensible things like providing lockers to stow gear, a short guided tour and reasonably priced audio guides.  And not least its free!

As for the exhibition - it doesn't disappoint.  The 'Elements' referred to in the exhibition's title are the classical Earth,Water, Fire, and Air so in four rooms were examples to show how Turner was influenced by each of these.  It is very clearly laid out and understandable.  The final room - 'Fusion' contains examples of later works - some extremely radical and abstracted - where he had combined all elements and the guide makes a point of saying how controversial they were at the time.  They also make some interesting observations which are new to me such as the number of volcanoes that errupted in Turners lifetime might have led to more glorious sunsets and his fascination with colours in the skies.  Ruth and I agree that we learned a lot as well as appreciating the art for what it is.

With an afternoon to spare we wander around Margate, which has a funny selection of shops  - some would not disgrace Knightsbridge while others are just tat rather than Habitat, though you can definitely see where Margate came from and what it was like in its heyday.  I get the impression it is a town trying to reinvent itself and maybe the TC will help it do just that.

On the way back we are treated, thanks to the rapidly changeable weather we are having, to some truely Turneresque skies.