The newest exhibition in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum has opened, Dartmoor: A Radical Landscape. I had the pleasure of accessing the exhibit the day before opening and talking to the curator.
This exhibit showcases work from a range of artists spanning from the 1960s to present day. At the centre of each piece is Dartmoor, the national park that is right on Exeter’s doorstep. There is a range of work, spanning from sculptures, traditional photography and experimental video work. I feel as if the range of artwork reflects how diverse the area of Dartmoor truly is. Each piece adds something special to the exhibit and brings the concept to life.
Some of my favourite works included the commissioned piece by Alex Hartley, which was these images of rock structures in Dartmoor, printed onto solar panels. In my opinion it really was the star of the show. The work was so detailed and played with many aspects such as perspective and colour. Some other highlights include Richard Long’s work who used words to create images while tracking his walks through Dartmoor. Also, the artwork by Susan Derges, which was made without using cameras was visually stunning.
While displaying incredible art, this exhibition does more than that. For many living in Exeter (especially students), it’s forgotten how close we are to this national park and all the incredible views and landscapes it holds. After leaving this exhibit I wanted to do nothing more than visit Dartmoor and experience it myself. I think it is a great way to encourage people to get out there and see what an incredible place we have so close to us. It’s a great reminder to not take it for granted. The curator remarked how it can feel like there is a disconnect between “us in the city and getting out there” and how her she wanted more people to do just that.
The exhibit is also a reminder of how lucky we are to have such an incredible place so close but that we also have to work to protect this place. It shows how people sixty years ago experienced the same things that we do now, and we should work to make sure it stays like that in the future.
I would highly recommend this exhibit to anyone looking for a way to spend an afternoon. It’s only a £4 entry for students, and if you book ahead in a group, entry is free! All the artwork is incredible and it’s a great reminder at how privileged we are to have such a natural beauty so close by. Each piece of art has been so intentionally selected and the whole exhibit feels like a perfectly put together show.
