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.

More Info

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!

More Info

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.

More Info

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!

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.