LPA/

Our monthly feature Culture Corner is back to give you some tips for what to do this month in London. From Pompeii and David Bowie to Man Ray and Iranian art, we’ve got it covered.

Pick Me Up / Somerset House
Alexa: ‘Possibly one of my favourite annual shows, Pick Me Up at Somerset House is the UK’s first graphic art fair and the perfect place to pick up original prints from as little as £10. Showcasing work from elite and emerging artists, there’s also loads of events and workshops most of which are free with your entry ticket – I highly recommend the Aaardman model making workshop! Definitely not one to miss and the festival pass is an absolute bargain at £15 if you’re planning to pop back for the different events’. Pick Me Up runs from 18th to 28th April.
Mother © John C Thurbin. Member of the Puck collective

Life & Death: Pompeii & Herculaneum / British Museum
Lisa: ‘As a Classics graduate (some time ago!) I’m always interested in anything to do with ancient Rome, so I’m really looking forward to visiting the spectacular Pompeii and Herculaneum exhibition currently on at the British Museum. This is a major exhibition on the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the first ever held on these important cities at the British Museum and the first such major exhibition in London for almost 40 years. It will bring together over 250 fascinating objects, both recent discoveries and celebrated finds from earlier excavations. Many of these objects have never before been seen outside Italy. The exhibition will have a unique focus, looking at the Roman home and the people who lived in these ill-fated cities.’ Life & Death: Pompeii & Herculaneum runs until September 29th.

Mosaic of a guard dog. From the House of Orpheus, Pompeii, 1st century AD. © Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei / Trustees of the British Museum

Nasrin Tabatabi & Babak Afrassiabi: Seep / Chisenhale Gallery
Tom: ‘Iranian artists Nasrin Tabatabi and Babak Afrassiabi are currently exhibiting at Chisenhale Gallery in East London in what is the artist duos first solo exhibition in the UK. Documenting the process of archiving by juxtaposing two divergent archives (BP and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Iran), the artists work seeks to explore ideas of absence and upheaval. Interesting work which in the context of both Iran and BP currently being at the forefront of peoples’ minds takes on a more urgent dimension.’ Seep runs until May 12th.

Nasrin Tabatabai & Babak Afrassiabi, ‘Seep’ video still, 2012. Courtesy the artists, Delfina Foundation, MACBA and Chisenhale Gallery.

(more…)

Though Spring should be upon us – it’s definitely remaining bitterly cold in the capital. We’ve handpicked some of our favourite current and upcoming cultural events to keep you out of this icy wind both in London and further afield.

Abigail’s Party / Richmond Theatre
Lisa: ‘This month I’ve chosen the incredible play ‘Abigail’s Party’. One of the most popular and influential plays to emerge from the UK, the great cast include Hannah Waterman of EastEnders fame and Martin Marquez. It’s just brilliant, such a timeless classic. I’ll never forget seeing Mike Leigh’s work years ago so it was great to see it as an actual play. I’m a big fan of Martin Marquez too, but I am a little biased as his sister Julietta has been a close friend since school.’ ‘Abigail’s Party’ is on at Richmond Theatre until March 16th and continues at Theatre Royal in Brighton from April 1st to Saturday 6th.

© Richmond Theatre

The Bride and the Bachelors / Barbican Centre
Tom: ‘The latest show at the Barbican Centre ‘The Bride and the Bachelors: Duchamp with Cage, Cunningham, Rauschenberg and Johns’ is one of the most interesting exhibitions at the Barbican Centre in recent years. Featuring key works by all five artists, the installation rooms are complemented by dance and music pieces (I was lucky enough to see an amazing piano recital when I went earlier in the week) and result in a truly immersive experience. I would recommend on heading there at the weekend though as the whole experience was quite intense and required a lot of concentration, not great after a working day’. ‘The Bride and the Bachelors’ runs until June 9th.

Dancers perform Merce Cunningham choreography in the exhibition. Photo Felix Clay, 2013

Bowl of Chalk / Walking Tours
Alexa: ‘It’s not very often you have the excuse to be a tourist in your own city, but Bowl of Chalk (cockney rhyming slang for walk!) walking tours provide the perfect opportunity to do just that. Led by tour guide Jonnie, these aren’t your average Blue Guide tour. Instead you’ll find yourself down alley ways in central london that you didn’t know existed or discovering the background of the most recent street art in the East End. Bowl of Chalk walks have an air of ‘impromptu-ness’ (Jonnies own description), no walk is the same and you’ll be left feeling like you’ve spent the afternoon with an old friend, albeit an incredibly knowledgeable one. Check out his reviews on trip advisor if you don’t believe me!’ Every weekend, Pay what you can

© Bowl of Chalk

Lichtenstein: A Retrospective / Tate Modern
Dani: ‘I recently went to see the Lichtenstein retrospective which opened last month at Tate Modern. Though must of us know many of the artist’s most famous works, it was revealing to see just how much Lichtenstein had produced over the years and how varied his work was – especially the monochromatic and sculptural pieces. Though I really liked the later landscape works, it was perhaps the earlier, cruder works which were my favourite. A great exhibition for kids too, I would highly recommned heading to the Tate to see this as well ‘Painting after Performance‘. Lichtenstein runs until may 27th.

Roy Lichtenstein, Oh Jeff…I Love You, Too…But… (1964)
Collection Simonyi © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2012

Our Culture Corner is back! In this first post of 2013, we’ve picked some of our favourite things going on in the capital (and also further afield!) over the next few weeks for you lovely people to investigate!

Random International: Rain Room / Barbican Centre / The Curve
Dani: ‘The Rain Room in The Curve at the Barbican Centre is hardly breaking news but for those of you who haven’t made a trip to this great piece of participational art, now is the time to do so. The constant 3-hour queue is perhaps a little daunting but it’s worth sticking it out for this surreal experience. Caution though, you actually get slightly wet!’ The Rain Room is on until March 3rd.

© Danielle Bouchard

Light Show / Hayward Gallery / Southbank Centre
Alexa: ‘Tipped as one of the hottest exhibitions in town at the moment (perhaps this year!), the Light Show at the Hayward Gallery is not one to be missed! Exploring how artificial light has been used in contemporary art since the 1960′s, this interactive group show will totally immerse your senses and challenge how you perceive things. I don’t want to give too much away so without further ado, don’t waste any time and book your ticket today as they are shifting fast!’. Light Show runs until April 28th

Carlos Cruz-Diez
Chromosaturation (1965-2013)
© Carlos Cruz-Diez/DACS
Cruz-Diez Foundation
Photo: Linda Nylind

Bruce Nauman / mindfuck / Hauser & Wirth
Tom: ‘Recently opened at the Savile Row branch of Hauser & Wirth, Bruce Nauman / mindfuck takes a glimpse at the artist’s varied and imaginative output. With a great selection of wittily crude neon works and claustrophobic installation pieces, the show is an interesting point of contrast to the Hayward’s Light Show. Using psychoanalytical theory to explain Nauman’s oeuvre is a potentially risky move but has been executed supremely well here’. Bruce Nauman / mindfuck runs until March 9th.

Sex and Death/Double “69″ (1985)
Neon tubing on aluminium monolith
227 x 134.8 x 34 cm / 89 3/8 x 53 1/8 x 13 3/8 in
Installation view, ‘Bruce Nauman / mindfuck’, Hauser & Wirth London, England, 2013
© 2012 Bruce Nauman / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / DACS London
Courtesy Hauser & Wirth

(more…)

In the run-up to Christmas there are plenty of great things to keep you busy. The team at LPA have handpicked our favourite things to do this December, so do your Christmas shopping online, and check out our suggestions for the month ahead…

BAC / Kneehigh / Midnight’s Pumpkin
Alexa: ‘Getting in the festive spirit, I’ll be heading to BAC next week to catch Kneehigh’s take on the classic fairytale Cinderella in their latest production ‘Midnight’s Pumpkin’. Known for their playful and somewhat tongue in cheek performances, Kneehigh’s shows always provide a fun alternative to the average pantomime and I’m sure that this one, voted as Time Out’s number 1 Christmas show, will be no exception!’ Runs until 13th January.

© BAC/Kneehigh

Tate Modern / A Bigger Splash: Painting After Performance
Tom: ‘In a bid to stay out of the cold I recently went to Tate Modern to see ‘A Bigger Splash: Painting After Performance’. Starting by contrasting key works by David Hockney and Jackson Pollock, this great show goes on to explore the relationship between the body and the process of creating art. Highlights include works by Sanja Iveković and Valie Export.’ Runs until 1st April.

David Hockney, A Bigger Splash, 1967
Tate. Purchased 1981
© David Hockney

Dennis Severs’ House / Annual Christmas Installation
Lisa: ‘Every year the already beautiful Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfields is transformed for Christmas with beautiful decorations filling the house. The former idiosyncratic owner of the house Dennis Severs gradually transformed the house into an homage to previous generations, creating a living theatre set. Make sure you get your tickets early though as demand will be high.’

© Dennis Sever’s House

(more…)

It’s definitely getting a lot colder and darker in London at the moment and the crazy run up to Christmas has begun (Saturdays on Oxford Street are quickly becoming a no-go zone), so why not relax this weekend with one of our Culture Corner suggestions.

William Klein + Daido Moriyama / Tate Modern

Lauren: ‘Opened last month, Klein + Moriyama is a great addition to the Tate programming schedule. Exploring and contrasting urban life in New York and Tokyo, striking similarities in content and style begin to emerge in the two photographers’ work.’ Runs until 20th January.

Daido Moriyama, Misawa, 1971
© Daido Moriyama

Tim Walker: Story Teller / Somerset House

Dani: ‘One of the world’s most influential fashion photographers, the work of Tim Walker gets a much overdue retrospective at Somerset House. In addition to Walker’s playful and whimsical photography, the exhibition rooms are also crammed pack with incredible props from spitfires to giant snails’. Runs until 27th January

© Somerset House
Photographer, James Stopforth

Trojan: Works on Paper / Institute of Contemporary Art

Tom: ‘Dead from a drug overdose at the age of 20, Trojan’s short burst of artistic output was (and remains) an explosive insight into the 80s club scene in London. Revelling in the grotesque and obscene, Trojan’s paper works are uncompromisingly raw in their execution and assembly’. Runs until 18th November

© ICA
Photographer, Stephen White

(more…)

In addition to the return of the Turner Prize to Tate Modern and the always fab Frieze Art Fair, there is a lot going in the capital (and Brighton!) this month. We’ve handpicked our favourites for you lovely people to consider.

Everything Was Moving: Photography From The 60s And 70s / Barbican Centre

Lisa: ‘Just down the road from the LPA offices, the Barbican have recently unveiled this fab new exhibition of photography from the 60s and 70s. Featuring work from big names like David Goldblatt, Bruce Davidson and Larry Burrows, ‘Everything Was Moving’ pivots around key events from the period such as Vietnam, the Cultural Revolution and the birth of mass consumerism. Runs until 12th January 2013′.

Bruce Davidson (b. 1933)
Black Americans, New York City. From the series ‘New York (Life)’
From New York, 1961-65
© Bruce Davidson / Magnum Photos

Someday All The Adults Will Die! / Hayward Gallery Project Space

Tom: ‘Opened last month in the Project Space at the Hayward Gallery, this cool little exhibition of punk graphic design from 1971-1984 is a must see for all music fans. Rare posters, zines, handbills and album covers, some of which have never been exhibited in public, literally cover the walls of this often forgotten gem on the Southbank. ‘Someday All The Wills Die!’ runs until 14th November.’

Japanese Punk Fanzine, Insane Whorehouse, 1979
© PUNK: An Aesthetic, edited by Johan Kugelberg & Jon Savage, Rizzoli, 2012

Love and Information / The Royal Court Theatre

Lauren: ‘Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information at The Royal Court Theatre jam packs 60 odd scenes and 100 characters into less than two of hours of fast-paced drama. Megabytes of information, the web of vignettes making up Love and Information are a powerful look at love and modern society. Runs until 13th October’

(more…)

As these fantastic summer months of sport, celebration and well, let’s face it, a lot of rain, come to an end, the team here at LPA have handpicked the best current cultural events around town.

Tony Cragg at Exhibition Road / South Kensington

Part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, a selection of British sculptor Tony Cragg’s works have been installed on and around the recently pedestrianised Exhibition Road in South Kensington. Nestled between the V & A and the Science Museum, Exhibition Road has already hosted lots of fun events and activities during this great summer in London. The sculptures will be on display until 25th November.

Nathan Coley / A Place Beyond Belief / Haunch of Venison

Opening tomorrow, Turner-prize nominated artist Nathan Coley’s exhibition at Haunch of Venison aims to be a provocative look at the power of the photographic image. Comprised of a selection of politically loaded photographic and sculptural works, the exhibition is set to be a challenging autopsy on loss, memory and the power of protest. Catch it before it closes on 3rd October.

Yoko Ono / TO THE LIGHT / Serpentine Gallery

For those of you who haven’t seen the Yoko Ono exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery, now is the time to go before it closes this Sunday. We’re particularly loving the participatory work #smilesfilm where people around the world have uploaded a photograph of themselves smiling through Twitter or Instagram, creating an international web of smiling faces. Make sure to check out the nearby pavilion designed by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei.

Yoko Ono
Smile, 2012
© Yoko Ono

We’ve been very impressed by this years recent photography graduates and the efforts they’ve put into promoting their final degree shows. So this months Culture Corner is dedicated to them.

We’ve seen well executed websites and beautifully designed invites, and even got a bottle of wine disguised as an invite from the Bournemouth BA Commercial Photography graduates.

Here’s a quick round up.

Free Range @ The Old Truman Brewery

This is the one stop shop and a definite must if you’d like a good overview of the photography graduate shows in the UK.  The first week runs from 14th – 18th June and the second runs from 21st – 25th June.  More details can be found here.

University College Falmouth @ Foto8

Falmouth Press and Editorial Photographers will be taking over foto8 for a week from the 14th – 21st June.  Highlights include the Multimedia Slide Slam on 18th June and a panel discussion ‘Emerging Photographers in Emerging Markets‘ on 19th June, identifying trends in commissioning for young photographers chaired by Harry Hardie of HERE.

New College Stamford @ The Strand Gallery

This exhibition runs from 19th – 23rd June with a panel discussion on 21st June including our very own Lisa Pritchard, LPA Futures Alumnus Laura Pannack and photographers Nigel Shafran and Venetia Dearden.

BA Hons Commercial Photography from Arts University College at Bournemouth @ Candid Arts Gallery

One of our LPA Student Challenge winner’s, Matthew Town is part of this show so it’s definitely one we won’t be missing. A.K.A F.ThirtyEight they are also behind the aforementioned wine bottle invite!

Disciplines covered include fashion, beauty, editorial, advertisement, still life, documentary and portraiture and this lot look to have a bright future ahead of them.

Blink and you’ll miss it – the exhibition runs from 4th – 5th July and more details can be found here.

© Matthew Town

Culture Corner is a regular feature on the LPA blog showcasing something we think you will find interesting in the visual arts world.  This month we give you a few heads up for the bank holiday weekend and beyond.

Out of Focus

Out of Focus is the Saatchi Gallery’s latest delve into the photography world and as it’s their first photography exhibition since 2001, it’s a pretty big one!

With 38 artists exhibiting from across the globe, there’s definitely something for everyone whether that’s Broomberg and Chanarin, Mitch Epstein or Yumiko Utsu.  Whilst you’re down there, make sure you check out Richard Wilson’s oil installation as well.

Anonymous, Los Angeles, Boulevard 11 © Katy Grannan, 2009

Frontline Club – Photo Week 2012

With their fingers always on the pulse, the Frontline Club brings you their Photo Week 2012.

There’s portfolio reviews, seminars, a networking party and our highlight for the week, the Reportage Showcase by Getty Images with photographers Peter Dench and Tom Stoddart, in conversation with Getty Images Vice President of Assignment, Aidan Sullivan.

Foto8 Summershow

One the biggest shows of the summer on the London photography calendar, this years judges are Gerry Badger, Phil Coomes, Alison Jackson, Simon Roberts and Ossian Ward.

If you’re a photographer, you should definitely spend your long bank holiday weekend preparing your entry for the deadline on 15th May.  We’ll see you at the Launch Party on the 6th July.