Thursday 15 March 2012

In the National Late at Night


The National Art Gallery of Canada in Ottawa usually closes at 5 p.m., but tonight there was a special screening of a wonderful art work called The Clock by Christian Marclay that runs for 24 hours. I had already seen this show once (I blogged about it on February 13th), but I decided to view it again. This time, I thought it would be fun to see it late at night. The Gallery feels very different at night - rather spooky and echo-y.


When I got to the exhibition room for The Clock, I found that there was a long line up to get in. It is a very popular show and, despite the fact that it was late at night, many people wanted to see it.


So I got in line with everyone else and proceeded to wait. I felt like I was in a Woody Allen movie, listening to the conversations of the people around me. 


I had lots of time to look at the ceiling, which has these graceful decorations. They look like flying things.


There were other interesting things to look at while I waited. On the wall beside me, there were artworks displayed from the Gallery's art classes for children. I really liked this one, which was made by a 12-year-old child. Wonderful!


This one was very special too, I thought. It was done by a 2 1/2 year-old. Other people in the line were also photographing these charming art works. 

After a wait of nearly an hour, I was admitted to the exhibition space to see The Clock. It was worth it! It really is a marvelous show and I was totally captivated by it for a couple of hours. All in all, a truly cool experience - being in the National late at night, seeing a great show, and finding lots to look at while I waited.  

4 comments:

Ronna said...

Very cool. The National Gallery at night. And I am dying to see The Clock but don't think I'll make it. Wahhh. Happy you saw it though. Apparently it had a write up in the recent New Yorker.

Anonymous said...

New Yorker essay about it last week. So fantastic. Hope it heads west some time.

frannie said...

Wish you had written about the remarks you heard while in line...next time bring a recorder! The kids' pics are great. Must be nice to be there at night.

Knatolee said...

I love the kids' art at the gallery!!! I like it better than some of the curated art on the walls there. :)