Art Guide – What To See In London In May

While the art world is gathering in Venice for the Biennale, we are not left behind in London as some exciting shows are going on. I’ve been a busy bee lately, which is forcing me to chose the exhibitions I’m attending even more carefully (sight). We all know how big London is, so the trick is to always line-up few exhibitions in the same area.

I’ve picked up for you four shows and a film to see in London this month, and before  we getstarted I’m also recommending you to stop by the Serpentine Gallery to see “A world View”, John Latham’s solo exhibition which is on view until May 21st.

A L R E A D Y    O N    V I E W

Larry Bell “Smoke on the Bottom” at White Cube

I stopped by the White Cube Gallery (Bermondsey location) a couple of weeks ago to discover Bell’s freestanding glass wall sculptures combining clear glass, grey glass and glass coated with Inconel which is making the glass reflective to some extent. “Smoke on the Bottom” is the kind of exhibition that make you scared to knock one of the art work out as this labyrinth of glass cubes can be quiet confusing, but it is a real sensitive experience. I love when a piece of art shapes the way we move in the space, as well as the way we perceive our surroundings. Highly recommended.

When : Until June 18// Address :144-152 Bermondsey St., London SE1 3TQ

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Lawrence Abu Hamdan at Maureen Paley

I don’t go to Maureen Paley Gallery as much as I would like to. Their exhibitions are always quiet politically and socially engaged which is not something so common in London. They are currently exhibiting the work of Lawrence Abu Hamdan (Jordanian artist who lives and works in Beirut) : “ Lawrence Abu Hamdan is an artist and ‘private ear’ whose projects have taken the form of installations, performances, photography, essays, lectures, videos and graphic works. This exhibition will feature two new works: Saydnaya (ray traces), 2017 will be installed in the downstairs gallery, while This whole time there were no land mines, 2017 will be shown upstairs. In 2016 Lawrence Abu Hamdan worked with Amnesty International and Forensic Architecture to produce an acoustic investigation into the Syrian regime prison of Saydnaya, 25km North of Damascus, where over 13,000 people have been executed since the protests in 2011 began.” Read more about the exhibition here. A very  important exhibition.

When : Until June 5// Address :21 Herald Street, London E2 6JT

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Opening of Thaddaeus Ropac in London

For their big launch in the UK, the French gallery Thaddaeus Ropac “a mis les petits plats dans les grands”. They are currently presenting not one but four exhibitions in their beautiful Dover Street location (read full program here). I’m particularly looking forward to see the Minimal Art of the Marzona Collection featuring works by Carl Andre, Dan Flavin,Donald Judd, Lee Lozano, Sol LeWitt, Robert Ryman, Fred Sandback, Richard Serra and Richard Tuttle. Must go.

When : Until July 29// Address : 37 Dover St., London W1S 4NJ

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O P E N I N G   T H I S   M O N T H

Photo London – Natalia LL by Roman Road

After a very good solo exhibition at Roman Road last year, the Polish artist Natalia LL is back with some early works for Photo London: “(…) the display presents varied photographs and an installation first realised in the 1970s during a decisive decade in Natalia LL’s career, when she unveiled her artistic stance at a time of profound feminist awareness. Presented for the first time in London, Natalia LL’s TAK comprises photographic assemblages of female lips pronouncing ‘tak’ (the Polish word for ‘yes’) alongside a visual representation of the written word.” Read more here. A perfect occasion to visit Photo London if you never been.

When : Opening May 18// Address : Somerset House

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Federico Fellini “La Strada” at ICA

Who never dreamed of watching Fellini’s classic “La Strada” (1954) on a big screen? Good news, La Strada is returning to ICA in a new digital restoration : “Transcending the dogmatic underpinnings of the early neorealist movement, La Strada was key to exploring a new poetic sensibility in Italian cinema, as echoed in Nino Rota’s score; and marked Fellini’s definitive move towards a symbolic cinematic language that combined autobiography with universal concerns.” Perfect for all the cinephiles out there.

When : May 19 – May 25/ Address : The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH

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Cover picture: Dan Flavin, Courtesy of Thaddaeus Ropac.