The Philistine: The Very Best Of London Culture This September
By Something CuratedSomething Curated compiles a list of the best cultural events on offer this September, taking a closer look at the creative minds behind the diverse projects.
Exhibitions
Worst Gift at Matt’s Gallery || Marianna Simnett (6 Sep–22 Oct)
Comprising video, liquid, light and sound, Worst Gift continues Simnett’s ongoing exploration of female subjectivity and bodily integrity as they relate to the power dynamics of the medical profession. Worst Gift is set in an alternate world in which a voice surgeon (played by real-life surgeon and singer Dr Declan Costello) injects prepubescent boys with a substance to lower their voices. Shot in a Botox factory and theatrical surgery, the film follows a female protagonist (played by the artist) as she ventures on a mission to obtain the substance refused to her by the surgeon.
Boom for Real at Barbican || Jean-Michel Basquiat (21 Sep 17–28 Jan 18)
Drawing from international museums and private collections, Basquiat: Boom for Real brings together an outstanding selection of more than 100 works, many never before seen in the UK, including a partial reconstruction of the first body of work that Basquiat exhibited, made for Diego Cortez’s watershed group show New York / New Wave at PS1 in 1981. The show is curated by Dr Dieter Buchhart and Eleanor Nairne, Curator, Barbican Art Gallery and organised in collaboration with the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt.
Chelsea College of Arts Postgraduate Summer Show 2017 (8–14 Sep)
The Postgraduate Summer Show platforms the work of up and coming artists and designers graduating from Chelsea College of Arts, featuring work by graduating students from MA Fine Art, MA Interior & Spatial Design, MA Textile Design and MA Curating & Collections.
This Drove My Mother Up The Wall at South London Gallery || Katharina Grosse (28 Sep–3 Dec)
Grosse’s large scale and site-specific works engulf both interior and exterior spaces, unhindered by the traditional boundaries of the pictorial field. In the South London Gallery’s main exhibition space, Grosse has made the void the dramatic centre of her project, masking the floor with a large foam stencil, then painting over it and the surrounding walls. Once she removes the stencil, a bright, white area of floor is revealed, untouched by the veils of colour and broad, propulsive marks spreading to all sides.
Fashion Together at Fashion Space Gallery || Lou Stoppard (7 Sep 17–13 Jan 18)
Fashion Together spotlights the process and output of seven selected duos and showcases the work of individuals from a broad range of roles within the fashion industry. Never-before-seen photographs and sketches sit alongside garments, films, photographic prints and recordings of the pairs in conversation with the curator, Lou Stoppard. The show features collaborations by Rick Owens and Michèle Lamy, Nick Knight and Daphne Guinness, Shaun Leane and Alexander McQueen, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Gareth Pugh and Ruth Hogben, and Thom Browne and Stephen Jones.
Natural Selection at The Former Newington Library || Andy Holden & Peter Holden (10 Sep–5 Nov)
Commissioned by Artangel, father and son Andy Holden and Peter Holden take us on an ornithological journey: from the building of nests to the collecting of eggs. Natural Selection showcases several multi-screen films, a selection of archival material, and Andy Holden’s own collection of found nests.
Events
London Design Festival || Ben Evans (16–24 Sep)
The London Design Festival celebrates the achievements of designers who are making a significant difference to our lives through their innovation and originality. Established in 2003, the London Design Festival is a citywide celebration that brings together a global community of designers, artists, architects, and retailers to activate projects responding to the transformative power of design. In 2016 over 400 events and installations took place, from an engaging programme at the Victoria & Albert Museum to large-scale installations across landmark locations.
London Fashion Week September 2017 || Natalie Massenet (14–19 Sep)
Organised by the British Fashion Council for the London Development Agency with help from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, London Fashion Week first took place in October 1983. It currently ranks alongside New York, Paris and Milan as one of the ‘Big Four’ fashion weeks. This September, Expect a busy season of shows, including presentations from London favourites, J.W.Anderson, Molly Goddard, Faustine Steinmetz, Erdem and Ashish, to name a few.
Open House London || Rory Olcayto (16-17 Sep)
For one weekend in September a number of London’s ordinarily private buildings, landmarks and residences, will be open to the public. Directed by Rory Olcayto, critic and editor of the Architects’ Journal, Open House was started in 1992 as a non-profit organisation to promote public awareness and appreciation of the capital’s design and architecture. The annual event unlocks London’s unique buildings to visitors who don’t otherwise have access to them.
Performance
Mosquitoes at National Theatre || Olivia Colman, Olivia Williams, Lucy Kirkwood & Rufus Norris (Until 28 Sep)
Olivia Colman and Olivia Williams play the sisters in this new drama from Chimerica writer Lucy Kirkwood, directed by Rufus Norris. The piece is set in 2008 and scientist Alice (Williams) is gearing up for the launch of the Large Hadron Collider which, for her, will be the culmination of 11 years’ work. The gifted daughter of two renowned scientists, Alice despairs of her sloppy, unintellectual sister Jenny (played by Colman) who prefers reading horoscopes and getting suspect answers to her questions from Google.
Grand Finale at Sadler’s Wells || Hofesh Shechter (12–16 Sep)
Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Hofesh Shechter’s work is part dance, part gig, part theatre and is instantly identifiable. Balancing on the comic and the bleak, the anarchic and the violent, ten dancers share the stage with a band of musicians, playing an original score to the backing track of Shechter’s trademark cinematic electronic sounds and vocal chants.
Performance at Camden Arts Centre || Miri Lee & Jennifer Tee (2–3 Sep)
In collaboration with dancer and choreographer Miri Lee, Jennifer Tee presents a new durational performance activating the works in her exhibition as she considers the act of resistance on both a physical and spiritual plane. Visitors are invited to enter the space throughout the performance, but please note that capacity is limited.
Retail
Fiorucci, Soho || Janie & Stephen Schaffer (Opens 18 Sep)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQixPTHBhh/?hl=en&taken-by=fiorucci
Fiorucci, founded by Elio Fiorucci in 1967, relaunches in Soho this September with a three storey destination store by the celebrated retail architects Brinkworth Design. Its new home will showcase a revitalised brand that is set to make shopping theatre again, 50 years after its inception.
Marques Almeida Pop-Up at EDIT.TOKYO || Marta Marques & Paulo Almeida (31 Aug–2 Sep)
Both trained in womenswear, Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida’s aesthetic evokes raw effortlessness, with the pair’s technical sensibilities revealed in the construction of each piece. This upcoming sale is set to be a great opportunity to pick up some unique items by the duo.
Margaret Howell Sample Sale at The Music Room || Margaret Howell (21–22 Sep)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXSjUGwFow_/?hl=en&taken-by=margarethowellltd
Under the design direction of Margaret Howell the label produces men’s and women’s clothing and an extensive household goods collection produced by specialist manufacturers. The headquarters, based at 34 Wigmore Street, London, accommodate both the design studio and flagship shop selling the fashion collections alongside homeware products. Expect discounts of up to 80% at the September sample sale.
Feature image: Katharina Grosse (via Long List Short)