The art shuttle bus took Sue and I over to Lewes to the 'new' Charleston in Lewes … a building for exhibitions, community projects, artist-led workshops, gallery activities and educational programs tailored for local state schools, further education and higher education groups …
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| c/o Charleston in Lewes website |
We went to see 'Grayson Perry: A Temple for Everyone' – which I'll post about next … as I need to get my head around explaining it!
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| It was fresh and chilly ... |
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| My pic of her in the staircase foyer |
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| Charleston Farmhouse with pond |
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| In situ - outside Leeds University |
Bell was dumbfounded seeing the lady levitated – thinking it was impossible … but recalled watching the trick … with the lady eventually lying horizontal six feet from the floor.
So inspiration took hold and the completed fibreglass sculpture was placed over the Charleston Farmhouse pond … before being moved, after the War, to Leeds University, where Quentin Bell was a Professor of Fine Art.
Quentin Bell - late in life
I was fascinated to learn about Bell's interest in Maskelyne Cook's (House of Mystery) magic show … and then his crafting and creation of this sculpture … now back in rural Sussex ...
All grist to the mill … I will be back anon …
The Magician's Scapbook - Maskelyne and Cooke: House of Mysteries
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
7 comments:
I didn't know anything about Quentin Bell's own artistic creations but I did love his books. And I loved his connection to Virginia Woolf and to Charleston Farmhouse. Great man!
Hi Hilary...what a beautiful post today. The floating lady wow
Thank you for your kind words on my Kenny G cd was the background music at a baby shower for my favorite cousin's first grandchild.
She was named Ruthie after his Mom who was my favorite aunt Ruth. I had just discovered the cd and loved it too
hugs Cecilia
Hari OM
I think both Bell and Maskelyne might be considered part of that great club, The English Eccentrics! Certainly JM seems to have been a legend in his own mind. The floating sculpture is lovely! YAM xx
Interesting to know the background of the Floating Lady.
Glad you had fun.
Cheers,
I've often wondered how the floating lady trick was done.
“My” Suffragette Jessie Stephen once ran a two penny library and a secretarial agency in Lewes! I’ve never been - interesting to know what it looks like.
@ Hels - I'm glad I gave you some helpful information ...
@ Cecilia - great to see you here - over from Yam's blog. Thanks for the update re the reason for your enjoyment of Kenny G's cd ... I loved his music.
@ Yam - Maskelyne was seemingly very self-centred - yet as you suggest both English eccentrics ... I was pleased to come across the Floating Lady - known as the Levitated Lady ... she was great fun to see close up.
@ Sandra - she was the easy part of the day ... and was a delight to see in situ at the Charleston Centre ...
@ Liz - I think it's explained ... I came across it somewhere as I researched the post ... sorry not sure where!
@ Anabel - oh how interesting ... I must be able to find out something about Jessie Stephen and her time in Lewes - I'll have a root to see if I can find something ... and I can give you an overview of Lewes ...
Cheers to you all - thanks for visiting - it's got cold down here ... take care - Hilary
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