GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL has followed up the success of the
exhibition "Crucible", which in 2010 brought to the cathedral 76
contemporary sculptures and helped to attract 136,000 visitors in
two months, with "Crucible 2", which runs until the end of the
month, again curated by Gallery Pangolin.
Once again, too, this is a free exhibition, and scores of
sculptures are located around the cathedral's interior and
exterior. Damien Hirst's Fallen Angel (2008-14), in
gold-plated silver (above), is a figure adapted from
Antonio Canova's The Repentant Magdalene
(c.1794-96), seen here in relation to the high altar;
while his Anatomy of an Angel (Black) (2008) is placed in
relation to the angels of an 18th-century wall monument.
Sue Freeborough's bronze Mitochondrial Eve
(bottom of page) was inspired by scientists' discovery in
the 1980s that mDNA could be traced back to one woman who lived
about 150,000 years ago in East Africa. Ipsius Imago a Latere
Extensa (below) by John Humphreys, whose work draws on his
experience with special effects in the film industry, is described
in the beautifully presented catalogue as "both surreal and
super-real, challenging conventional perceptions of space and
hinting at a fourth dimension". It is seen here against the
background of the Bower memorial.
www.crucible2.co.uk; or phone 01452 528095
