Fab Film Friday: A Bigger Splash (1974)

A Bigger Splash, is a 'docu-drama' named after, and inspired by one of David Hockney's most famous paintings. It stars Hockney (as himself), Peter Schlesinger (artist, author, and Hockney's one-time lover), and Celia Birtwell (textile genius, former wife/designing partner of the late Ossie Clark, and Hockney's muse).

It was filmed in the early '70s (when I feel Hockney really hit his artistic stride), and takes you on a voyeuristic visit, while he paints in a dimly lit, smoke filled studio, and bops around romantically sad London, visiting various eccentric friends along the way.

I first began to love Hockney's work as a young teen, feeling an inexplainable affinity toward him because my friends and I would sneak into the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, and swim in their giant pool, which was painted by with squiggles by Hockney. So it was a delight to be able watch this film, and peek into his day-to-day life, and creative process.

And for fellow-Celia/Ossie obsessives, it was wonderful to get a glimpse of Celia at home in her dreamy flat (which she once shared with Ossie, and was the setting for many wild stories in the fascinating book, The Ossie Clark Diaries). It is also a hoot to watch Celia sharing a joint with Hockney, as well as view footage of a actual Ossie Clark runway show. Once a reporter asked Hockney what he sees in Celia that inspired him so, and he replied "she has a rare face".




 
 

Comments

[Alice]

Hello! May I recommend this book if you haven't already come across it,' A Checkered Past', by Peter Schlesinger, full of visual inspiration if you are a Hockney/Celia adoring girl.

Your UK avid reader,
Alice.

[J.B. Taylor]

Thanks for the tip! I have that book on my amazon wish list, but now that I know it is wonderful, i'll have to move it to the top of the list.

Love and moss crepe gowns,
J.B.T.