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Prada Marfa (2005) by Elmgreen & Dragset. Photograph by Mr James Evans, courtesy of Art Production Fund, New York; Ballroom Marfa, Marfa; and the artists
The art shows not to miss over the next couple of months.
Come autumn, the chilly weather calls for a certain weekend activity: looking at art. And following summer’s debaucheries, it’s high time to get cultured, don’t you agree? Luckily, there is a variety of exciting new exhibitions and artists to take in over the coming months. Whether you’re a fan of video games, music and fashion, or well-versed in classic art or contemporary large-scale installations, there’s a museum showcase that is bound to pique your interest, so feel free to mark your calendars now. Below, read up on the newsiest art exhibitions coming to London soon.
Luminogram II (1952) by Mr Otto Steinert. © Estate Otto Steinert, Museum Folkwang, Essen
Shape Of Light: 100 Years Of Photography And Abstract Art
Where: Tate Modern When: until 14 October 2018
The relationship between photography and abstract art is explored from the 1910s to the present day. Spotlighting photographs by American artists such as Man Ray, Ms Barbara Kasten and Mr Alfred Stieglitz, to name a few, this exhibition showcases how photography has influenced abstraction and includes new works commissioned especially for it.
Crowd #3 (Pelican Beach) (2013) by Ms Alex Prager, courtesy of Alex Prager Studio, Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong. © Alex Prager Studio and Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong
Alex Prager: Silver Lake Drive
Where: The Photographers’ Gallery When: until 14 October 2018
American photographer and filmmaker Ms Alex Prager is the subject of this mid-career exhibition. Ranging over two floors with more than 40 photographs, viewers get a multi-dimensional look at her work focused on art and fashion. The exhibition includes large-scale images and some of her earlier works, which were often shot in Los Angeles and featured super-stylised costumes and sets.
An Illuminating Path (1998) by Mr David LaChapelle, courtesy of the artist. © Mr David LaChapelle
Michael Jackson: On The Wall
Where: National Portrait Gallery When: until 21 October 2018
Iconic singer Mr Michael Jackson is the focal point of this cultural exhibition. It showcases Mr Jackson, as depicted by more than 40 contemporary artists, and features works pulled from both public and private collections, as well as new ones. It opened on what would have been Mr Jackson’s 60th birthday, and aims to explore the influence he has had on both the music and art worlds.
Piccadilly At Night (1960) by Mr Bob Collins. © Estate of Bob Collins
London Nights
Where: Museum of London When: until 11 November 2018
Visitors and residents alike will appreciate this moody exploration of London at dusk. The exhibition features more than 200 works by 60 photographers, ranging from the late 19th century to present day, and spotlights what happens in the capital come nightfall, from its quiet corners to its buzzing, energetic hotspots.
Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up
Frida Kahlo With Olmec Figurine (1939) by Mr Nickolas Muray. © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives
Where: V&A When: until 4 November 2018
Mexican artist Ms Frida Kahlo’s personal artefacts and belongings, which were locked away for 50 years after her death, are displayed for the first time outside Mexico in this intriguing exhibition. In addition to self-portraits, expect to see pieces such as her cotton huipils and skirts, her cosmetics and her prosthetic leg with a leather boot.
League Of Legends, Worlds (2017) by Riot Games
Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt
Where: V&A When: 8 September 2018 – 24 February 2019
Gamers, get ready. This exhibition delves into the design processes behind a selection of contemporary and ground-breaking video games. The show includes a range of works, from prototypes and artworks to larger-scale installations, that are both immersive and interactive.
Powerless Structures, Fig .101 (2012) by Elmgreen & Dragset. Photograph by Mr James O Jenkins, courtesy of Commissioned For The Mayor Of London’s Fourth Plinth Programme
Elmgreen & Dragset: This Is How We Bite Our Tongue
Where: Whitechapel Gallery When: 27 September 2018 – 13 January 2019
Scandinavian artists Messrs Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, famous for iconic sculptures such as Prada Marfa, have been working together since 1995. This exhibition features their cheeky installations and explores how they use space to examine social and sexual politics and how they transform everyday spaces into subversive statements.
Aleksandr Rodchenko And Varvara Stepanova Descending From The Airplane (For The Film The General Line by Sergei Eisenstein) (1926), photographer unknown, courtesy of Rodchenko And Stepanova Archives, Moscow
Modern Couples
Where: Barbican Art Gallery When: 10 October 2018 – 27 January 2019
This exhibition delves into the modern art world’s most interesting creative relationships. Featuring artist couples in mediums such as paint, sculpture, photography, design and literature, it displays the power of creative and personal partnerships through a diverse range of works, no matter if the couples were fleeting or life-long partners.
The right frame of mind
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