I begin to model a large ‘Janus’ head, loosely based on pieces in the V&A sculpture collection. This two-faced head (originally a Roman deity) has one face youthful, the other worldly-wise, and looks both forwards and backwards at the same time. An appropriate metaphor, I think, for the Museum and its collections: engaging with the contemporary whilst at the same time acknowledging history and tradition.
While researching examples of Janus heads I rediscover the version in Poussin, which sits on a plinth adorned with Bacchic genitalia. For some reason this reminds me of Peter Blake’s residency at the National gallery, where he produced the painting ‘The Nine Prettiest Bottoms in the National Gallery’. I wonder if I might do a similar thing here at the V&A, but I’m caught in the act of photographing the numerous marble penises by ceramic curator Reino Leifkes, and in explaining my curious behaviour I realise the idea sounds rather foolish.
