art – The Cultural Exposé

8 photos that sum up my love for the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair

Matilda — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 07:30:13 +0000

Every Autumn, London gets peak arty with Frieze, Moniker and The Other Art Fair – but it’s the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair that I love the most. Taking place from October 6-9, the fair presented more than 40 exhibitors reppin’ for 18 of the 54 countries from the continent (hence the fair’s name).

Highlights

This year’s heavily Instagrammed highlight was Zak Ové’s ‘Black and Blue: The Invisible Man and the Masque of Blackness’ installation, where 40 Yoruba-masked statues stood proudly in the Somerset House courtyard. Elsewhere, there were strong flicks from Malick Sidibé in the artist’s first UK solo exhibition and even a free film forum – but here’s a summary of my favourite bits from this year’s show in photos.

Did you go to the 1:54 Contemporary Art Fair this year? What was your highlight? Let me know in the comments!

The post 8 photos that sum up my love for the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Somewhere you should go… Duke of York Square

Matilda — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 07:00:18 +0000

Unless you’re made in Chelsea, there’s a slim chance the Duke of York Square is at the top of your radar. But after being invited along to an evening which showcased everything this swanky shopping complex has to offer, here’s five reasons why it’s worth a visit:

It’s where you’ll find a branch of the world-renowned Taschen store

A photo posted by Matilda (@megerecooper) on Apr 22, 2016 at 2:11pm PDT

This is the maker of sexy art, design and photography books, many of which will look incredibly dope on a coffee table.

It’s also got a wonderful Italian spot in the form of Manicomio

A photo posted by Duke of York Square (@doysq) on May 17, 2016 at 4:20am PDT

This classy restaurant offers both indoor and alfresco dining, and considering the area, a reasonably priced set menu – you can get a three course meal for £23.75.

It’s the home of Saatchi Gallery

A photo posted by Duke of York Square (@doysq) on Apr 12, 2016 at 4:02am PDT

The next time you’re forced to queue up for nearly two hours for another Saatchi gallery exhibition – the nerve of that Louis Vuitton show! – get fed and watered somewhere around the DOYS beforehand (they’ve got a Polpo cafe) so at least you’re not starving to death. That said, the Rolling Stones exhibition is on until 4th September and since it’s ticketed, you’ll be spared the hassle to get in.

There’s a party for the Queen on June 12th

A photo posted by Duke of York Square (@doysq) on Apr 21, 2016 at 1:08am PDT

Her majesty is turning 90, so there’s going to be a street party with plenty of fine food, booze and cake – and we’re all invited!

And the Square is hosting a screening of the Wimbledon semi-finals and finals from 8-10th July

Strawberries & Screen will be your chance to pitch up on bean bags, munch on picnic food, sip Pimms and catch all the action at SW19 for free.

Have you been to the Duke of York Square? What do you love about it? Tell me all about it in the comments!

The post Somewhere you should go… Duke of York Square appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Why you need to go to the Musee du quai Branly the next time you’re in Paris

Matilda — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 07:04:38 +0000

I had a whale of a time in Paris last spring, hitting up the usual suspects – shout out to the Louvre! – and eating all the good food. But I can’t, for the life of me, figure out why the Musée du quai Branly fell off my radar: it’s totally my kind of museum. Committed to promoting the art of indigenous cultures from Africa, Asia and the Americas, quai Branly has been going strong for only 10 years – but in that time it’s produced culturally-rich and thought-provoking shows that’s made it a brilliant institution in its own right. I popped in on a recent day trip to Paris and discovered five more reasons it’s so dope:

1. It’s along the river Seine

And might I add, you can’t miss it, mainly because it’s insanely close to the Eiffel Tower and…

2. …it’s housed in a weird and wonderful building designed by Jean Nouvel

The great thing about modern museums is that they tend to go HAM on the architectural front, and Nouvel’s multi-structural, earthy-toned compound in the middle of a garden is every bit eclectic as it is distinctive.

3. It’s the French version of the Barbican – but better

And by that, I mean it’s humongous (not ugly, though some might beg to differ) and feels more like a destination space for chilling than just checking out whatever exhibition(s) are on show. For instance, they give up their outdoor space to revellers during the annual Siestes électroniques – a music festival that takes place in the summer.

Matahoata, Arts & society of the Marquesas Islands

4. There are some solid shows on the schedule this year

On my visit I got to whizz around three great shows: Matahoata: Arts and society in the Marquesa Islands, which highlights cultural artefacts from one of the most remote islands in the world (on until 24th July); Dakar 66: Chronicles of a Pan-African Festival, a retrospective of stunning artefacts from a ground-breaking arts festival in Senegal in the ’60s (on until 15th May); and Persona, Strangely Human – a intriguing presentation of the relationship between technology and humanity (on until 13th November).

5. You can make it a day trip – 2 hours from London and a 30ish min jaunt from Gare du Nord.

Gotta love the Eurostar.

Visit the Musée du quai Branly website to find out more.

Many thanks to Alambret Communication for the invite.

The post Why you need to go to the Musee du quai Branly the next time you’re in Paris appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

A flash rave and multi-art: my weekend in pictures (January 30th)

Matilda — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:00:44 +0000

The motto for the weekend: Head East and Chill. On my way to my friend’s group show at Protein studios, I stumbled upon what looked like a rave, but two snaps in and I was out. Nothing to see there, nothing to see. On the other hand, the Present 003 exhibition was all kinds of brilliant, showcasing the work from a diverse collective of artists and designers. Shout-outs to Philippa Long and Lakwena Maciver for their dope contributions!

Pics shot on a Canon 5D Mark 1 (24-105mm lens)

The post A flash rave and multi-art: my weekend in pictures (January 30th) appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

My weekend in pictures: January 9

Matilda — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 08:30:53 +0000

The first weekend of the New Year was all about chilling at The Tabernacle in West London, the bar/gallery space that’s hosting the new SOUND SYSTEM CULTURE: London exhibition. All pics shot on a Canon 5D Mark 1 with a 24-105mm lens.

The post My weekend in pictures: January 9 appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

My weekend in pictures: November 21

Matilda — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 08:30:36 +0000

I was held captive by the warmth of my central heating for most of the weekend, but I did escape (reluctantly) to do a very cold and snowy sunrise walk, as well as see two awesome women test out their material at Battersea Arts Centre. All shot on a Canon 5D Mark 1, with a 28-105mm lens.

Walking toward St Paul’s Cathedral on Tate Modern’s sunrise walk and breakfast with Royal Society University Research Fellow Lucie Green. The walk was part of the International Year of Light in collaboration with the Institute of Physics.

Royal Society University Research Fellow Lucie Green holding court.

Christmas lights on Watling Street.

…and then came the snow.

A steward at Battersea Arts Centre rounds up the audience for Scratch double bill Show Me The Money and How To Die of a Broken Heart.

Paula Varjack in Show Me The Money. Opener of the Scratch double bill at Battersea Arts Centre.

Femi Martin (who performed in her own show How To Die of a Broken Heart) talks to the audience.

The post My weekend in pictures: November 21 appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The British Library’s West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song exhibition is all kinds of amazing

Matilda — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 08:35:15 +0000

Someone should have warned me that you can’t really do a quick sweep around the British Library’s new exhibition dedicated to the history of West Africa. It’s a whole day job that might involve packing some snacks because there’s alot to take in (and justifiably so). The history of a single African country (let’s say Nigeria) is comprehensive in itself – but this impressive show takes on the noble task of focussing on the region’s 17 nations over a thousand year time span. The sum of that is over 200 manuscripts, books, sound and film recordings, artworks, masks and colourful textiles that never fail to engage or provoke discussion. Highlights include:

A Fela Kuti music room
A range of cloths printed with messages, proverbs and symbolic meanings
Musical instruments such as atumpan ‘talking drums’ and a akonting from Gambia, believed to be a predecessor of the banjo
A carnival costume newly designed by Brixton-based artist Ray Mahabir, based on the tradition of Bele, a drum dance and song closely linked to Caribbean history, struggle, freedom and celebration
Textiles and music dedicated to Chinua Achebe
A presentation of works by authors Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Sefi Atta
A display celebrating the Nollywood film industry

So if there was ever a question about the significance of Africa to the development of culture and civilisation, this exhibition is a metaphorical bomb drop. Prepare to be enlightened.

West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song runs until 16th February 2016. Entry is £10. For more information visit www.bl.uk/events/west-africa-word-symbol-song.

Carnival costume designed by Ray Mahabir of Sunshine International Arts in 2015, based on Bele or Bel Air, a drum dance and song closely linked to Caribbean history, struggle, freedom and celebration. On display in West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song, photographed by Toby Keane.

Manuscript culture in Timbuktu in 2007 by photographer Alexandra Huddleston, on display in West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song © Alexandra Huddleston.

Fela Kuti photographed by Bernard Matussière, reproduced by kind permission of Knitting Factory Records for West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song.

The post The British Library’s West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song exhibition is all kinds of amazing appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

A rebel with a cause: Ai Weiwei at the Royal Academy of Arts

Matilda — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 06:00:36 +0000

I’ve only ever had a passing knowledge of Ai Weiwei. The Chinese government hated him, I knew that much, and his contemporary art always seemed intended to irritate the powers that be even more – so much so, they took his passport for four years (the scoundrels). From a distance, he seemed humorous, genuine. Creative. Committed to his cause. Maybe even normal, for an artist. “You have a responsibility to make sure your language is clear”, he says on the audio commentary of his new show at the Royal Academy of Arts – and it’s that aspect of this latest survey that’s makes it a powerful, thought-provoking testimony of his life and work.

I spent last Friday afternoon checking it out with a friend. It was frustratingly crowded, which I guess is to be expected with blockbuster shows like this one – but once we dodged the school groups and the selfie sticks, we got the chance to appreciate pieces he created over the past 20 years (including some new ones, specifically for RA). He’s very good at corrupting traditions to make a case for human rights and creative freedom – and though it’s occasionally cheeky and disturbing, it’s unequivocally sincere.

The show’s worth a visit and on until 13th December and you can find out more about it here. In the meantime, check out some of my snaps from my recent visit below:

The post A rebel with a cause: Ai Weiwei at the Royal Academy of Arts appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

The new Chanel exhibition is now open at the Saatchi Gallery

Matilda — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 11:15:24 +0000

I’ve been waiting WEEKS for this! The MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ exhibition has finally arrived in London to present the wonderful world of Chanel. Set over three floors, the show will give visitors the chance to explore the history and cultural impact of the French fashion house, all at the helm of Karl Lagerfeld and the original Coco Chanel. This includes an exploration of the Haute Couture, the bling, the iconography and even that infamous scent, CHANEL N°5. There’s daily workshops too – and if you’re lucky enough to snag a free ticket (they’re released every morning and have so far gone in a flash) you’ll learn about the artisan trades of embroidery, flower creation and perfumery. Check out a film of the exhibition’s preview below:

The exhibition runs until 1st November, so for the latest news and workshop bookings, visit MADEMOISELLEPRIVE.CHANEL.COM

The post The new Chanel exhibition is now open at the Saatchi Gallery appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

House of St Barnabas are putting on a live art festival

Matilda — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 13:16:53 +0000

Merike Estna JacketsPaintings / PaintingsJackets. Acrylic and silk paint on silk and cotton Photo by Aime Estna.

Taking place on 21-27th September, the Art Social festival will see the homeless charity/private members’ club host a week of inspiring arty activities including live art, film screenings, workshops, talks, music and a silent disco. Highlights this year include:

A 4 metre-tall, inflatable teapot in Soho Square by artist Hester Reeve (complete with teacups and biscuits)
JacketsPainting / PaintingJackets – edible and wearable art from artist Merike Estna, which audiences will be invited to eat and wear
Film screenings and performances from artists including Jeremy Deller, Laure Prouvost, Marlene Haring and Jennifer Reid
Workshops including tie-dying, Broadside Ballad-writing and fresh-flower button holing
And Mini Manifestos – a series of 20 minute pop-up lectures from speakers including co-founder of Patternity, Anna Murray, journalist Hannah Pool and founder of The Idler Academy, Tom Hodgkinson

Weekday events are free and day tickets only cost a tenner. They’re available now from www.hosb.org.uk.

The post House of St Barnabas are putting on a live art festival appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.