The Royal Academy of Arts launched its summer exhibition this week with great fanfare. So what does veteran art historian and curator Sir Norman Rosenthal think of the show? Sir Norman seems well placed to give an opinion, considering he masterminded the RA’s exhibitions for three decades. But wait. “I can’t tell you what I think because I wasn’t invited,” he groaned when the Londoner asked for his verdict last night at a party at Toklas restaurant, Aldwych. “They didn’t invite me! I mean, I did run the place for 30 years, you know.” On Tuesday night, the RA opened the annual show at Burlington House with its now-traditional summer party.
The bash is a must-attend event for art world somebodies and, increasingly, celebrities with aesthetic sensibilities. Channel 4 comedian Joe Lycett, for example, has even been included as an exhibiting artist. The Londoner noticed a few old hands were absent. Perhaps they wouldn’t take kindly to this year’s pop culture influence? “I think they would rather forget about me,” said Sir Norman, taking the slight personally. “It was noted. The only other thing I would say is this: if you like art and you live in London, the new Anselm Kiefer show at White Cube is worth a detour. It’s in Bermondsey.”
