5 London Art Exhibitions for Fall/Winter 2019 - 2020 (and yes, they involve digital art!)

Feeling the winter blues approaching?

Let this list of art events guide you

Recently several of my friends approached me, asking for art show recommendations. While sending over links and suggestions, I realised that many of these are not so easy to find if you’re not in the industry or are coming outside of London. Whether it is to escape the winter blues, find inspiration, hide somewhere warm or maybe refresh your Instagram feed, London is currently hosting an excellent selection of exhibitions. I decided to compile the following list below so a wider audience can take advantage of it. Without further ado, here are some of the highlights you may want to explore.

*Warning: The bias is present. My selection is likely skewed towards new media art.

1. Olafur Eliasson at Tate Modern

Tate Modern brings a comprehensive selection of the famous Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson. Top show on every Instagrammers list.

Dates: Runs until 5 January 2020.

Pro Tip: (1) Bring an old T-shirt you no longer wear into Tate Modern for recycling, and you will get a 20% discount on an Olafur Eliasson exhibition T-shirt. (2) Tate Modern is also currently hosting a retrospective of Nam June Paik’s work, Korean artist and a pioneer of video art. It’s on my list to see, but if you have any space left to indulge more creativity after Eliasson’s show then can try visiting both exhibits while at the museum.

More Info

2. Somerset House: 24/7

Somerset House brings together a group show by some of the most renowned artists today working across a variety of media. Immersive, engaging and thought-provoking, the artworks serve as a reminder to take a break from our non-stop digital life. Personally, I fell in love with Pierre Huyghe’s video work, accompanied by house music. After the exhibition I definitely had a very good sleep.

Dates: Runs until 23 Feb 2020.

Pro Tip: (1) There is a special installation that you need to sign up in advance if you’re interested to participate. The piece is made by Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard and called the ‘Somnoproxy’. You can sign up on arrival by speaking to a member of the Visitor Experience team. (2) The show is a 2 minute walk away from The Store X (on the list below) in case you want to capture both exhibitions at once.

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3. Antony Gormley at the RA

Antony Gormley is one of the leading British sculptors and on the list you should know if you live in London. What I love the most is how he manages to redevelop his practice over time while keeping a consistent style in his work. RA brings together highlights of his practice and provides an interactive maze for visitors to explore.

Dates: Runs until 3 December 2019. (Hurry!)

Pro Tip: (1) The tunnel is actually a human body sculpture, which you are walking through! (2) Don’t be scared of gravity, try taking an image like the one below!

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4. Other Spaces by The Store X The Vinyl Factory

If you want a truly immersive experience , try visiting the free show at The Store X, 180 The Strand. The experience is presented in collaboration with the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris

Dates: Runs until 8 December 2019.

Pro Tip: The show is a 2 minute walk away from the 24/7 show (No2) in case you want to capture both at once.

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5. Anselm Kiefer at White Cube Bermondsey

White Cube gallery presents Superstrings, Runes, The Norns, Gordian Knot, a solo show by Anselm Kiefer, one of the most famous living German artists. The art exhibition showcases a selection of his new artwork. The interior of the entrance hall was also redesigned specifically for the event.

Although White Cube is a private commercial gallery, its space can easily compete with some of the public museums. If you haven’t been, strongly recommend discovering it. the neighbourhood is also excellent for a dinner or a glass of wine. The show takes place at their Bermondsey location, which is a 10 minute walk from London Bridge/ The Shard. The show is free, just check opening hours.

Dates: Runs until 26 January 2020.

Pro Tip: Grab a glass of wine after the show at B Street Deli or check out the new Vinegar Yard on the way.

More Info

Enjoy the shows and let me know if you have any questions of tips!

5 Things I Found Online

In Search of Nirvana on the Web

Installation by John Isaacs at "Daydreaming with Stanley Kubrick" exhibition at Somerset House, London

1. Jeff Koons: MOCA

My most recent discovery has been the work of a film maker and producer Oscar Boyson. Among a range of his films I highly enjoyed the short documentary about the artist I'm sure you came across in the press, online, public spaces or mentioned by me - Jeff Koons. It gets better - the documentary is narrated by Scarlett Johansson. If you want to brush up your knowledge of artists' work or for those who already know enough - simply hear the actress calling Jeff a "sexy motherfucker” this 8 minute clip is light, informative and enjoyable thanks to Oscars smooth and entertaining narrative. It has both fun facts like Jeff listening to Led Zeppelin an hour a day as well as insights into how he would like the viewers to know that the key to understanding his art is through interpreting their own experience. My favourite quote was when the narrator addresses the artist by saying "It's almost like your art is the combination of all the great things you’ve ever seen". This is so true if you look at the amount of masterpieces being appropriated in Jeff Koons' work, including the ballerinas from Ukrainian porcelain figures I was once so surprised about.  

April '17 MOCA hosted a gala honoring the artist Jeff Koons and commissioned this piece from Oscar Boyson. 

2. "Why the Web Won't Be Nirvana"

“What’s missing from this electronic wonderland? Human contact”, writes Clifford Stolll about the Internet.

Let's rewind...

Newsweek 26th of February 1995, just after ARPANET/Internet celebrated its 25th anniversary, comes out this entertainingly opinionated article by Clifford Stoll. Although a technology skeptic, the astronomer Clifford Stroll is known to have helped capture a KGB hacker Markus Hess while being a systems administrator at the computer center of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (he also published a book about it). However, rather than discuss the accuracy of his assumptions in the '95 Newsweek article  I want to include this article within the context of current discussions on the capacity of Blockchain technology. Although the hype might exceed the capacity to deliver in the short term (or not?), it is so engaging to theorise on the future potential. And perhaps, within these discussions to take a break and look back might help us in looking forward? #dontoverthinkit

Article HERE

PS.

"Electronic Wonderland"? Sounds catchy. 

3. Grisha’s Guide to Kiev

Take an old gem, add a fresh touch = recipe for success. Exactly that's why I love this NOWNESS commission by director Jordan Blady. As he says, this was meant to be "a fashion film that didn’t feel like a fashion film". Which, I think he successfully achieved. I loved seeing such classic examples of my home towns' architecture elements populated by Supreme-ish youth culture and sprinkled with Wes Anderson-influenced aesthetics. Critically speaking it probably covered 0.1% of what there is to shed light on, yet it feels like a 100% leap forward compared to the existing western depictions of the region. #inlovewiththesubtleties

4. How Video Games Changed the World

The 2013 Documentary has been a one-off special by Channel 4. The film is a comprehensive overview of what he believes are the 25 most iconic releases that shaped the gaming industry since the creation of Pong in 1972. Presented by the British satirist Charlie Brooker, it features a vast amount of developers, specialists, comedians and authors in gaming and beyond. Documentary also includes interview with Will Wright, the designer of SimCity(1989) and The Sims(2000). Next thing I knew after watching this documentary was ordering the book by Charles Hamden-Turner on the Maps of the Mind (which actually finally arrived today), that influenced Wright to develop a model for the game's artificial intelligence. I'm sure one or two (or more like 10 or 20) of the games listed in this documentary ring a bell for you as well, so here's a chance to learn a bit more about the forces behind these creations:   

5. 100+ Conversion Rate Optimization Techniques

And before you laugh or say WTF haha.. I actually found this resource quite interesting. I didn't study marketing but at one point my job has almost entirely been focused on how to best market our products. Although my focus has shifted, I've been catching up and researching on any old or new techniques or developments that could help me improve my knowledge of the best marketing practices ever since. And whether it is the luxury sector you deal with or the lower price echelon products, it doesn't matter - these tips can be useful for you even as a user to know how you're being 'manipulated'..or less harshly let's just say 'approached'. So after reading this resource I went ahead and renamed my blog entry from "Stuff I found online" to "5 Things I Found Online". Did it work? Well, if you got this far I hope so.. xx

When in New York

3 nights  

In The City That Never Sleeps

Since I visited New York for the first time 7 years ago I've been returning on regular basis several times a year. Whether going for work or leisure, the city has always offered a new incredible experience, reminding every time why I love it so much.

When talking about cities, especially metropolitan ones as London or New York I can't help but reference concepts from a 1974 book by Jonathan Raban titled 'Soft City'. Just as he discusses the connection of an individual to a big city I think us readers could have our own experience with his book, connecting authors key argument to our unique journeys. Essentially, he believes the accumulation of personal experiences we encounter and paths we take is what constructs a city for us, our own city made up from the associations and memories our mind connects together. In 21st Century these encounters for me in New York included artsy (artsy as 'artistic' not as the company) video shoot locations, random all-nighters, favourite brunch spots, artist workshop visits, late night VR rooms, tons of unions, house parties, or occasional run-ins into a celebrity somewhere around Lower East Side. So inevitably I constructed my own version of New York, and although I don't think I can ever take off its 'Hard City' label, somewhere in my mind the city also softened up in allowing me to mould a version of my own. 

5th Avenue

I could write about countless favourite spots to visit and dwell how I'd love to take a sip of Jack's Wife Freda melon juice right now. However, I figured to keep it simple I'll just share a visual diary of the exhibitions I got a chance to catch during my stay this time and other snaps from my brief journey.

Barbara Kruger’s Untitled (Skate) at the Coleman/LES Skate Park under the Manhattan Bridge

Barba Kruger @LES Skate Park

This short-lived piece has been commissioned for Performa 17, 7th edition of the biennial that runs across both public areas and private venues in New York. 

Barbara Kruger has a signature white-on-red Futura Bold Oblique or Helvetica Ultra Condensed font slogans in some cases applied on black and white photography. You may remember her Selfridges collaboration, heard "I SHOP THEREFORE I AM" or if this doesn't ring a bell then think Supreme logo... and I love how The New Yorker describes Supreme being inspired by Kruger and "teasing the boundary between homage, parody, and theft" borrowing her style to create their iconic logo.

Eye Shadows by Sylvie Fleury

Eye Shadows by Sylvie Fleury @Salon 94

On the consumerist note I include the visit to Salon 94 solo 'make-up' show by Geneva-based pop artist Sylvie Fleury. Her works "larger-than-life symbols of contemporary vanity hang like black mirrors on the wall" @Salon 94. Fashionistas out there can probably already recognise their favourite shades of Chanel. Show open till 22nd December.

Gilbert & George: THE BEARD PICTURES @Lehmann Maupin

This year marks 50th anniversary for the British artistic duo Gilbert & George. On this occasion 170 works have been presented as part of the Beard Pictures series. My friend once rented a place next door to them at Spitafields and before knowing who it was has had serious concerns over their electricity. Apparently their basement was seen through a crack and lights were constantly on and off. This was all concerning until they finally met and it turned out to be their workshop and instead of lights it was simply the flash that made the lighting on and off. #knowyourartists

In New York I had a chance to see part of the anniversary series at Lehmann Maupin Lower Manhattan gallery that represents them. But then last week after coming back to London I also made it for White Cube opening of the other part of Beard Pictures and got to see the Gilbert & George IRL too. So for my friends both London & New York here you go:

NY - Lehmann Maupin 536 W 22nd Street & 201 Chrystie Street - open till 22nd December 

London - White Cube Bermondsey 144 – 152 Bermondsey Street - open till 28th January 2018

Kenny Scharf: Inner and Outer Space @Jeffrey Deitch

Probably the coolest gallery website (GO GO Click on it already)

“I like to connect with every movement in 20th-century art,” says Kenny Scharf describing his art. The show is mostly 2017 work fresh out of the artists studio. Scharf's melting cartoon faces and drip paintings surround the gallery space, many acting as a nostalgic reminder of the 80's culture. I enjoyed discovering the playful pieces at this solo show as well the incredible gallery space I have not been to previously. Or maybe in London I'm just not used to white cube space being anywhere much outside of... White Cube. 

Not to overwhelm in one go I'll follow up with the second part perhaps next week and If I ever finish - then video entry as well... stay tuned and thanks for reading (or browsing pics and getting this far) xxx. 

Lights, Glitter & Play Time

Lights, Glitter and Play Time 

With Frieze Week approaching, it's the time of the year not to skip an overdue gallery visit and explore what hot picks of contemporary art the dealers prepared for this October. Opening today, White Cube at Bermondsey, the larger minimalist space of the gallery presents works of 3 contemporary artists: Cerith Wyn Evans, Ann Veronica Janssens and Damian Ortega.                                                 

Without further ado here are some the highlights of my visit, the works are on display until 12th November.

Following the grand appearance of ‘Forms in Space…by light (in time)'  at Tate Britain this summer, Welsh conceptual artist Cerith Wyn Evans light installation of dancing neon forms greets the visitors in a separate space in one of the first halls.  

Dancing Neon Forms

Shifting away from materiality of objects, Ann Veronica Janssens art focuses on the viewers perception and brings a sensory experience. Using colour and light it invited visitors to immerse among the variety of mediums the artist used to achieve an illuminating journey through her hall. 

The illuminated room with Brussels based artist Ann Veronica Janssens works

Ann Veronica Janssens colourful glitter sand waves (and Art World Fall-Winter 2017 collection? Noting to stick to yellow shades on my next visit) 

The third hall presents works by Mexico City based artist Damian Ortega with show titled ‘Play Time'. Interestingly he began his career as a political cartoonist and then shifted towards working with everyday objects to create incredible large scale installations. 

Damian Ortega's centre piece

The exhibition is open for public from 27th September '17 until 12th November '17

@White Cube

144-152 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3TQ

xx