In their most audacious provocation to date, legendary art duo Gilbert & George have declared war on classical music, targeting one of Britain's most revered cultural institutions. The controversial artists, known for their boundary-pushing work, have created what they're calling their "silent symphony" - a direct assault on the Philharmonia Orchestra.
The Sound of Silence as Protest
Opening at London's prestigious White Cube gallery in Bermondsey, their new exhibition features a series of stark, text-based works that deliver a scathing critique of orchestral music. Large-scale pieces bearing messages like "Symphony phobia" and "We hate the Philharmonia" dominate the gallery space, creating what the artists describe as "a cathedral of quiet resistance."
Now in their eighth decade, the artistic partners have built a career on challenging establishment norms. "We've always been against the classical," George explains, while Gilbert adds, "We hate the noise, the sound, the aggression of it."
A Lifetime of Musical Rebellion
The artists' aversion to classical music spans their entire 56-year partnership. They recall their early days in London's Fournier Street, where they would retreat to the local pub to escape neighbouring musicians' rehearsals. "We used to run away from it," George remembers, describing classical music as an "aggressive, anti-social noise."
Their current campaign extends beyond the gallery walls. The duo has been distributing anti-Philharmonia leaflets around London and even attempted to display protest posters on the orchestra's own premises - an offer that was, unsurprisingly, declined.
Cultural Institutions Clash
The Philharmonia Orchestra, founded in 1945 and resident at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, represents the establishment that Gilbert & George have spent a lifetime opposing. While the orchestra has made no public comment on the artistic attack, the contrast between the two institutions couldn't be more striking.
Art critics are divided on the work's merit. Some see it as a tired publicity stunt, while others argue it raises genuine questions about cultural imposition and artistic freedom. What's undeniable is that at 82 and 83 respectively, Gilbert & George remain masters at generating conversation and controversy.
Their "Music Hate" exhibition continues at White Cube Bermondsey until November 16th, offering Londoners a chance to experience silence as the ultimate form of protest against centuries of musical tradition.
