The Philistine: The Very Best Of London Culture This August
By Something CuratedWhat better way to get through August than standing in an air-conditioned gallery space? Here’s the best of London culture this month.
Exhibitions
Dafydd Jones: The Last Hurrah, at The Photographers’ Gallery | Dafydd Jones (3 Aug–8 Sept)
A photographer for both Tatler and Vanity Fair under the editorship of Tina Brown, Dafydd Jones has recorded mischievous high society parties and young aristocratic antics since the 1980s. The Last Hurrah, on show at The Photographers’ Gallery, features Jones’s exuberant black and white portraits of drunken Trinity College balls and snogging West Londoners throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Somehow, amidst the chaos, these snapshots are totally charming.
Artist Rooms: Jenny Holzer, at Tate Modern | Jenny Holzer (Until Jul 2019)
Five rooms of works by Jenny Holzer, the American artist famous for her aphorisms, open at Tate Modern this month, as part of their ongoing (and free) travelling exhibition Artist Rooms. Among the works on view are Truisms (1984); Inflammatory Essays (1979-82); and It Is Guns: Students Talk Sense, a new work created last year in response to on-going gun violence in the United States.
DRAG: Self-portraits and Body Politics, at Southbank Centre | Robert Mapplethorpe, Cindy Sherman, Pierre Molinier, VALIE EXPORT, Adam Christensen & Victoria Sin (22 Aug – 14 Oct)
Spanning works by artists like Robert Mapplethorpe, Cindy Sherman, Pierre Molinier and more, DRAG examines radical self-portraiture from the 1960s to today, through those who’ve used drag to question identity, gender, class, politics and race. A new generation of contemporary artists, like London-based Victoria Sin and Adam Christensen represent drag in art today.
Leelee Kimmel: Wormhole, at Simon Lee Gallery | Leelee Kimmel (Until 30 Aug)
Simon Lee Gallery introduces New York artist LeeLee Kimmel to the UK as part of the gallery’s Viewing Room programme. A solo exhibition, Lee Kimmel: Wormhole presents Kimmel’s recent works: large, abstract paintings which touch on themes of creation and destruction; 3D printed sculptures; and a virtual reality piece.
Jane Bown: The Observer, at Proud Central | Jane Bown (Until 12 Aug)
Described as an ‘English Cartier-Bresson’ by Lord Snowdon, when photojournalist Jane Bown was first employed by The Observer in 1949, women reporting from behind the lens was a rarity. This exhibition features her distinctive black and white snapshots of post-war Britain, and also includes some of her most famous portraits, including that of the famously-shy Samuel Beckett.
The Art of Campari, at Estorick Collection | Fortunato Depero & Bruno Munari (Until 16 Sep)
The relationship between Italy’s much-loved aperitivo brand Campari and canny, design-led advertising has been long and fruitful. From the 19th century onwards, Campari has been behind some of Italy’s most distinctive visual imagery, created by some of the country’s most talented artists. It should go without saying; Italian design lovers, get yourself to Estorick Collection for this exhibition, which features vibrant posters from the 1900s and joyous post-war designs by Franz Marangolo and Bruno Munari.
Ahead of the Curve – Women Artists, at 2 Willow Road | Ilse Crawford, Lyn Harris, Gitta Gschwendnter, Nina Chakrabarti, Roksanda Ilincic, Kitty Travers & Studio Frith (Until 4 Nov)
Firstly, if you haven’t yet visited 2 Willow Road, the iconic former Hampstead home of architect Erno Goldfinger and his wife Ursula, then you really ought to time it with Ahead of the Curve, a new exhibition in which a selection of artists and makers respond to works from the Goldfinger’s personal art collection, which included works by Bridget Riley and Prunella Clough.
Suzanne Perlman: Catching the Ephemera, at Dutch Centre | Suzanne Perlman (Until 31 Aug)
Spanning work from six decades, this major exhibition of works by the Dutch painter Suzanne Perlman includes 25 key paintings and works on paper from three important periods of her life. Paintings include those made in Dutch-Caribbean island Curaçao from 1941-1971; pieces created in the United States between 1970 and 1978; and works painted in London between 2002 and 2018, where she now resides. The exhibition isn’t always open at weekends, so do check ahead of visiting.
Film & Performance
Shechter Underground, at Somerset House | Hofesh Shechter (23–25 Aug)
At Somerset House, the resident Hofesh Shechter Company present this site-responsive show that leads audiences through the atmospheric maze-like underground tunnels and rooms beneath Somerset House. Expect intense choreography and pulsating scores, in classic Schechter fashion.
BlacKkKlansman screening + live satellite Q&A with Spike Lee, at Barbican | Spike Lee, Jordan Peele, Adam Driver & David Washington (20 Aug)
Spike Lee returns with this timely and satirical film that tells the true story of an African-American detective’s mission to infiltrate the Klu Klux Klan. Featuring Adam Driver and David Washington (whose dad is Denzel), with the Oscar-winning Get Out’s Jordan Peele as producer. The screening is followed by a live Q&A broadcast via satellite from the BFI Southbank.
Events
Bar Brutal at Giant Steps | Max & Stefano Colombo (18–19 Aug)
Barcelona’s coolest eatery and natural wine outpost pitches up to Giant Steps for two days to lay on a menu of delicious, innovative tapas and good vibes. There will be a programme of live music and DJs to accompany food and drink offerings throughout the month.
Launch: London Summer Intensive Showcase, at Camden Arts Centre | Liseth Amaya, Kate Bancroft, Takming Chuang & More (15–19 Aug)
Head to the launch of London Summer Intensive’s five-day work-in-progress show, which features the works of upcoming artists currently in residence at London Summer Intensive, run by Slade School of Fine Art, UCL and Camden Arts Centre. Artists include Liseth Amaya, Kate Bancroft, Takming Chuang, Savannah Galvin, Noora Geagea, Giuseppina Giordano, Vasilis Goumas, Susan Jacobs, Seojin Kim, Donghwan Ko, Eilen Itzel Mena, Momina Muhammad, Abraham Murley, Lillian Olney, Kailyn Perry and Madeleine Preston.
Retail
Gentle Monster, Argyll Street, Soho | Hankook Kim (Open now)
Last week, Korean eyewear label Gentle Monster opened a new store entitled KUNG FU in London, it’s first in Europe. Inspired by the practice of kung fu, the store whimsically reimagines martial arts culture. In this otherworldly showcase you’ll find unexpected installations such as a display of extra-terrestrial creatures in martial arts training with cascading waterfalls projected on screens in the background.
Words by Stevie Mackenzie-Smith | Feature image: Leelee Kimmel, Wormhole, 2018 (via Simon Lee Gallery)