Random shots from the V&A

Having missed out on the school trip to the Coronation Street studios on Monday, I accompanied some Cultural Studies students to the Hayward Gallery and the V&A yesterday. At the Hayward we saw the History is Now: 7 Artists Take on Britain exhibition, which was probably the first time many of my students have experienced conceptual art. Some raced through and nipped off to McDonald's, some were transfixed, others were confused (which is a perfectly fair reaction). I was intrigued, though slightly disappointed that some ethnic minority cultures and general leisure activities weren't included by the artists. (Also, one of the joys of a trip to London with students is seeing it through their eyes: this time the massive economic gap was obvious. I don't think they'd seen so many Rolls Royces and similar limos in their lives).

Then we went to the V&A for the Staying Power exhibition of black photographers' work. Small, but stunning, and much more accessible to the students than the more conceptual work. I took a few random photos.

Yinka Shonibare's photographic set echoing The Rake's Progress with a black protagonist

'In the room the women come and go / Talking of Michelangelo

And talking of Michelangelo… (from the Cast Room)

Netsuke of a badger wrapped in a lotus leaf

Detail from an Eastern tile

Shiva Stamping on the Dwarf of Ignorance (my favourite for the new university logo)

A propitious cow