Frieze Week is upon us! Millions are about to change hands. The fair’s tents are up in Regent’s Park, and dealers, iPads in hand, are at the ready to hawk their wares to the hundreds of collectors descending on London. But Frieze Art Fair isn’t just about the market. In just over a decade, it has provided a focal point to the British art calendar, contemporary and otherwise. Museums across the capital have co-opted mid-October as the best exhibition slot of the year. All over town, extraordinary shows have opened, or are about to open, providing welcome booth-relief for those who need it. And there will be many.
artnet News has picked its favorites.
“Anselm Kiefer” at the Royal Academy of Arts, September 27–December 14
Anselm Kiefer has taken over the main galleries at Burlington House for what is being described as “the most significant exhibition of the German artist’s work ever held in the UK.” The exhibition features pieces spanning Kiefer’s entire career as well as newer works created for the venerable London institution’s show.
“Turner Prize” at Tate Britain, September 30–January 4
For those eager to keep their finger on the pulse: Tate Britain presents the 3oth Turner Prize, exhibiting the work of shortlisted artists Duncan Campbell, Ciara Phillips, James Richards, and Tris Vonna-Michell. The winner will be announced on December 1, and will receive £25,000. (For a review see “Is the Turner Prize Just a Publicity Machine? JJ Charlesworth Takes on the Tate”).
“Alibis: Sigmar Polke 1963-2010” at the Tate Modern, October 9–February 8
This Sigmar Polke retrospective at Tate Modern claims to be the first exhibition to present the full range of techniques used by the German painter and photographer, including slide projections and photocopies. It promises to highlight some of Polke’s weirder media too, including soot, snail juice, and uranium.
“MIRRORCITY” at Hayward Gallery, October 14–January 4
The Hayward Gallery’s new exhibition “MIRRORCITY” considers the ways in which artists are affected by living and working in today’s digital age. Focusing on the city of London, it gathers such hotly-tipped names as Helen Marten, Daniel Sinsel, and the South London collective LuckyPDF.
“Lawrence Weiner: ALL IN DUE COURSE” at South London Gallery, September 26–November 23
Lawrence Weiner, best known for his use of language as “sculptural material,” displays a series of his more recent works in the main and first floor galleries as well as in the outside area. Visitors can also continue further to view an off-site piece located on the exterior of the old Peckham Road Fire Station.
“Trisha Donnelly” at The Serpentine Galleries, September 17–November 9
Award winning American artist Trisha Donnelly’s exhibition responds directly to the gallery space, which she has altered inspired by archival photographs of the Serpentine’s 1994 restoration. The display includes projected videos and stills, sculptures, as well as a sound piece.
“Ed Fornieles: Modern Family” at Chisenhale Gallery, September 19–November 9
For his first solo exhibition in a UK institution, Fornieles has created an installation highlighting and questioning quintessential American suburban life through the distortion of familiar objects such as beds, barbecues, and gazebos. Recently separated from his actress girlfriend, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 star Felicity Jones, he invents and reflects on the future they will never share.
“Neïl Beloufa: Counting on People” at Institute of Contemporary Arts, September 24–November 16
French-Algerian artist of the moment Neïl Beloufa presents a series of films and sculptures, continuing his research on the way we interact with the world since the rise of the internet.
“Glenn Ligon: Call and Response” at Camden Arts Centre, October 10–January 11
For his first solo show in a UK institution, Ligon presents a new series of neon pieces and paintings inspired by one of Steve Reich’s taped-speech works, itself based on the testimony of young black man arrested during the Harlem Race Riots of 1964.
“José Damasceno: Plot” at Holborn Library, October 3–November 23
Brazilian artist José Damasceno turns a visit to the library into an narrative experience, inspired by London’s literature and social history.