Tate Modern goes Africa and Idea 170 is Punishment

Part of the Gaba show.

Yesterday despite the sweltering London heat I ventured into the heart of the beating metropolis to get a culture fix.
Main things I noted at the Tate Modern yesterday were the African Shows, the Meschac Gaba and  Ibrahim El-Salahi  exhibitions that were most stimulating, there’s a programme on BBC2 about them on Wednesday 10:00 pm  - I particularly liked the Gaba for me it was an evocation of another place that had a deep resonance for places visited.
The stand out works from what was an eclectic mix by  Ibrahim El-Salahi  were The Tree (2008) a subject that Ibrahim visited many times and The last Sound when in front of this the picture is able to follow you almost like the Mona Lisa!
I also took the opportunity of looking at the infamous Mark Rothko Seagram Mural display and Jackson Pollock's Yellow Island.

 

Big Idea (of Ian Crofton) number 170 is Punishment

The last of the Society entries is to an extent  the Corollary or at least flip side of yesterday's Crime (As Dostoevsky famously put them together why shouldn't Crofton?)
Punishment by the state for a serious crime often results in a denial of freedom for a period of time and in extreme cases some countries still exercise the death penalty. This list makes interesting reading)

Crofton describes Punishment as having two elements, one Utilitarian in that the incarcerated is not at liberty to continue committing crime  and the deterrent effect of punishment making crime less attractive.
The other angle is the retribution (as often described in the Old Testament) where the Punishment is 'just'/'justice'.
Does Punishment work ?- this lady thinks not