The V&A is definitely one of my favourite museums and/or galleries in London. I love how the stunning interiors and exterior courtyard clash with the modern light fittings and foodhall. I love how they house everything from fashion to mechanics to renaissance art. I think sometimes it's forgotten about, especially seated opposite the massive natural history museum, but I can't help but love the space, and the time that seems to wallow endlessly in there.
There should be a word for needless anxiousness. You know that feeling of unease in your stomach that flutters away for days without any particular reason or purpose? Yeah I have a case of that. And today I found myself alone, with every family friend working or busy, every friend elsewhere and only my lonesome self to deal with. It made me realise how few minutes of alone-time I've had in the past few months, but for some reason this wasn't reassuring. I didn't want to be alone with only my irrationally-anxious thoughts rattling around my head. But I decided it was too unbearable a waste to ignore a free day in London, so I put myself together and set off on the tube to the V&A, feeling a little self-conscious and very alone - the way I often feel after spending all my time with people. I stopped for sushi and awkwardly dropped it all over my lap and glanced around to see if anyone noticed.
But then I stepped into the gallery.
To the right of the main foyer I found a nearly-empty room, massively tall and airy, and home to hundreds of beautiful classical sculptures. Cherubs cradled in their mothers' arms, nymphs and heroes wrestling each other on horses or swathed in silks - these beautiful figures had such an air of calm that I couldn't help relaxing. Still in their unwavering strength and beauty, they took me in. I was happy to be alone with them. I ended up buying a £2 sketchpad and pencil, sitting at their feet and trying to draw their features, and it filled me with such space and calm that I felt myself breathing and thinking 'yes, it's good to be alone'. No wonder they say art is good for the soul.
No comments:
Post a Comment