Must-See Art Guide: London

This week's guide features Nancy Holt, Lucio Fontana, William Kentridge, and more.

Nancy Holt, Locators installation view at Parafin (2015). Courtesy of Parafin.

It’s one of the biggest events on the art world calendar: Frieze London is in full swing, featuring work from over 1,000 contemporary artists presented by 160 of the top galleries in the world.  You can check out artnet’s picks for best booths at Frieze, and if the fair by itself wasn’t enough, you also have the daily Frieze Talks selection of keynote lectures and panels to attend.

While Frieze certainly has enough to keep even the most enthusiastic art lover busy all weekend, London is also currently host to some outstanding gallery and museum shows. But don’t worry: we’ve put together an itinerary that’ll give your eyeballs their fill, and makes sure you don’t miss out on anything during your visit.

Kara Walker: Go to Hell or Atlanta, Whichever Comes First installation view (2015). Courtesy of Victoria Miro Gallery.

Kara Walker: Go to Hell or Atlanta, Whichever Comes First installation view (2015). Courtesy of Victoria Miro Gallery.

Head over to Victoria Miro Gallery to see a new body of work by Kara Walker made specifically for the gallery’s expansive space, featuring the artist’s signature wall silhouettes and cheeky/confrontational sensibility under the title “Go to Hell or Atlanta, Whichever Comes First.” Next stop, Parafin, to take in Nancy Holt’s first exhibition to ever solely focus on her critically acclaimed but rarely shown Locator sculpture series. For a retrospective of one of the most important post-war Italian artists, head to Tornabuoni Art’s inaugural show at their brand-new London location, featuring over 60 pieces by Lucio Fontana. Over at Marian Goodman Gallery, visit the new work of South African artist William Kentridge, including a swirling, panoramic eight-screen video installation of ghoulish, life-sized dancing figures. Be sure to also stop at Omar Tiroche Contemporary Art for their delightful show of Alexander Calder’s colorful tapestry and soft sculpture work of circus characters. Meanwhile, Riflemaker gallery displays the work by American master Judy Chicago, including steel sculptures, pastels, and porcelain test plates made prior to the construction of her legendary The Dinner Party (1979). Don’t miss this rare insight into her artistic practice.

Over at the Tate Modern, the museum explores Pop Art in a way you’ve never seen before: “The World Goes Pop” surveys work not just from Europe and the United States, but from Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East, presenting a more inclusive and conclusive perspective on this well-loved movement than ever before. And while we’re mentioning museums, don’t forget about Ai Weiwei’s huge solo exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, with complex installations and sculptures offering insight into life in contemporary China.

At the end of all that, your eyeballs will probably be stuffed: congratulations on a hardy art metabolism. Enjoy your time in London, and we’ll see you back here for Frieze in 2016.

Lucio Fontana_installation-view_Tornabuoni-Art-London

Lucio Fontana installation view at Tornabuoni Art London (2015). Courtesy of Tornabuoni Art London.

Exhibition: “Lucio Fontana”
When: October 8–December 5, 2015
Where: Tornabuoni Art London, 46 Albemarie Street, London, United Kingdom

Ushio Shinohara, Doll Festival (1966). Courtesy of Tate Modern.

Ushio Shinohara, Doll Festival (1966). Courtesy of Tate Modern.

Exhibition: “The EY Exhibition: The World Goes Pop”
When: September 17–January 24, 2016
Where: Tate Modern, Bankside, London, United Kingdom

 

Ai Weiwei, Video Recorder (2010). Courtesy of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Ai Weiwei, Video Recorder (2010). Courtesy of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Exhibition: “Ai Weiwei”
When: September 19–December 13, 2015
Where: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom

Exhibition: “Kara Walker: Go to Hell or Atlanta, Whichever Comes First”
When: October 1–November 7, 2015
Where: Victoria Miro Gallery, 16 Wharf Road, London, United Kingdom

Candida Höfer, Catherine Palace Pushkin St. Petersburg III (2014). Courtesy of Ben Brown Fine Arts.

Candida Höfer, Catherine Palace Pushkin St. Petersburg III (2014). Courtesy of Ben Brown Fine Arts.

Exhibition: “Candida Höfer: Memory”
When: October 13–November 27, 2015
Where: Ben Brown Fine Arts, 12 Brook’s Mews, London, United Kingdom

Derek Boshier The Stun (1979).  Courtesy of Flowers.

Derek Boshier The Stun (1979). Courtesy of Flowers.

Exhibition: “Derek Boshier: Rethink/Re-entry”
When: October 7–November 7, 2015
Where: Flowers, 21 Cork Street, London, United Kingdom

Exhibition: “Judy Chicago”
When: September 14–October 31, 2015
Where: Riflemaker, 79 Beak Street, London, United Kingdom

Anj Smith, <i>Elimination of a Picture</i> (2015). Courtesy of Hauser & Wirth.

Anj Smith, Elimination of a Picture (2015). Courtesy of Hauser & Wirth.

Exhibition: “Anj Smith: Phospher on the Palms”
When: September 23–November 21, 2015
Where: Hauser & Wirth, 23 Saville Row, London, United Kingdom

William Kentridge, Notes Towards a Model Opera (2015). Courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery.

William Kentridge, Notes Towards a Model Opera (2015). Courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery.

Exhibition: “William Kentridge: More Sweetly Play the Dance”
When: September 11–October 24, 2015
Where: Marian Goodman Gallery, 5-8 Lower John Street, London, United Kingdom

Alexander Calder: Tapestries and their Gouaches installation view. Courtesy of Omar Tiroche Contemporary Art.

Alexander Calder: Tapestries and their Gouaches installation view. Courtesy of Omar Tiroche Contemporary Art.

Exhibition: “Alexander Calder: Tapestries and their Gouaches”
When: October 12–November 31, 2015
Where: Omer Tiroche Contemporary Art, 21 Conduit Street, London, United Kingdom

Broomberg & Chanarin: Rudiments. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

Broomberg & Chanarin: Rudiments. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

Exhibition: “Broomberg & Chanarin: Rudiments”
When: September 25–October 31, 2015
Where: Lisson Gallery, 27 & 52 Bell Street, London, United Kingdom

Heimo Zobernig Untitled (2015). Courtesy of Simon Lee.

Exhibition: “Heimo Zobernig”
When: October 13–November 14, 2015
Where: Simon Lee, 12 Berkley Street, London, United Kingdom

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