May Art Guide - Vienna

Recommendations of what to see in the Vienna art scene this month by our local guide, Itai Margula. Discover more on a private art tour!

I.

Exhibition: MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ - TWO HEARTS
Artist: Marina Abramovic
Venue: Galerie Krinzinger
Dates: Until June 9th, 2018

Marina Abramovic’s relation to Krinzinger gallery goes back to 1975, when the documentation of her performance Thomas Lips was shown at the gallery in Innsbruck. A pioneer of performance art and its establishment as a visual art form, Abramovic cemented her stardom status with the durational performance 'The Artist is
Present' at Moma New York in 2010. Simultaneously with her exhibition, the GLOBART think tank awarded Marina Abramović the GLOBART AWARD 2018, naming her as the most important performance artist of the present. The ceremony took place on April 25, 2018 at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Marina Abramović, Miracle 4, 2018 © Marina Abramović, Courtesy Marina Abramović
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II.

Exhibition: KLIMT’S MAGIC GARDEN A Virtual Reality Experience by Frederick Baker
Artist: Frederick Baker
Venue: MAK Museum of Applied Arts Vienna
Dates: Until October 7th, 2018

Marking the centenary of the death of Gustav Klimt (1862–1918), MAK Vienna invited the virtual reality artist and filmmaker Frederick Baker to engage in a virtual reality experiment, inspired by Klimt’s masterpieces Expectation and Fulfillment. Using high-resolution digital photographic material, he creates a virtual world in which visitors can embark on an interactive film journey through a Klimt inspired world. Due to high interest in the exhibition, making a reservation ahead of your visit on the museum’s website is highly recommended.

FREDERICK BAKER, still from the director’s cut KLIMT’S MAGIC GARDEN: A VIRTUAL
REALITY EXPERIENCE BY FREDERICK BAKER, 2018 © FREDERICK BAKER

III.

Exhibition: Bouchra Khalili
Artist: Bouchra Khalili
Venue: Secession
Dates: Until June 17th, 2018

Bouchra Khalili’s work articulates subjectivity and collective history, questioning the complex relationships between the singular and civic belonging. Her first solo exhibition in Austria features the video trilogy The Speeches Series (2012–13), a selection from the mixed media installation Foreign Office (2015), and The Tempest Society (2017), a film premiered at documenta 14. Challenging our collective historiography, she outlines a history of the individual as narrated by its protagonists, who are members of social minorities.

© "Foreign Office," 2015 Bouchra Khalili Exhibition view, Secession 2018
(Courtesy the artist and Galerie Polaris, Paris, Photo: Oliver Ottenschläger)

Take a private art tour in Vienna to discover more!

May Art Guide - New York

Recommendations of what to see in the New York art scene this month by our local guide, Maya Yadid. Discover more on a private art tour!

I.

Exhibition: Zoe Leonard: Survey
Artist: Zoe Leonard
Venue: Whitney Museum of American Art
Dates: Until June 10, 2018
 

A well-established contributor to the Whitney’s overall collection, New York native Zoe Leonard delivers once again with 'Survey'. A mixed presentation of photography, sculpture and art installations, she covers various topics ranging from photography history to urban environments, conveying a variety of additional themes in-between. Zoe specifically attempts to let the viewer re-evaluate their perspective on everyday objects, her subject matter often rearranging the perspective and repetition of everyday scenes and objects. 

Zoe Leonard (b. 1961)­, Untitled, 1989. Gelatin silver print

II.

Exhibition: We Come in Peace
Artist: Huma Bhabha
Venue: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dates: Until October 28th, 2018

Over the past several months, the Met has been commissioning various artists to do pieces for their rooftop garden space. A Pakistani-born artist, Huma Bhabha is the sixth sculptor that’s up to bat in the lineup, delivering with an impressive display of two imposing and distressed figures. Each has their own unique characteristics, conveying several messages about interaction and political statements. 'We Come in Peace' is a stunning work of abstract sculpture with well-defined details on each piece. 

III.

Exhibition: How to Do Nothing with Nobody All Alone by Yourself
Artist: Yto Barrada
Venue: Pace Gallery
Dates: Until May 5th, 2018

With such a captivating title, Yto Barrada’s exhibit contains a variety of work in different mediums. Ranging from framed illustrations, sculptures, photography and even video, a visitor will have a wide variety of subjects to enjoy during these exhibits. Peers describe Yto’s work as “disruptive and pushing against traditional limits.” With origins from North Africa, Yto puts her personal background into her art, its inspiration clearly showing itself in her illustrated and often minimalistic prints in particular. This event spans across three entire floors...rest assured there’s plenty to look at. 

Take a private art tour in New York to discover more!

May Art Guide - London

Recommendations of what to see in the London art scene this month by our local guide, Marine Tanguy. Discover more on a private art tour!

I.

Exhibition: All Too Human
Artists: Various Artists
Venue: The Tate Britain
Dates: Until August 27th, 2018

Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Frank Aurbearch.. can we wish for a better line up? Get ready for skin, suspect fashion choices and again, a lot of skin. Amazing use of the paint material and a good way to face up to the mirror. 

II.

Exhibition: Rodin and the Art of Ancient Greece
Artists: Auguste Rodin and Various Artists
Venue: The British Museum
Dates: Until July 2018

Rodin may have taken the core of philosophical ideals in his sculptures, he gave them life and emotions. While you walk around the classical sculptures of the Parthenon, you can’t help but crave for a human feeling like the Burghers of Calais. I am biased as I love Rodin but I do recommend the exhibition. 

III.

Exhibition: The Squash
Artist: Anthea Hamilton
Venue: The Tate Britain
Dates: Until October 2018

It’s a little mad but a good response of old establishment art. I wish it was bearing more meaning. 

Discover more on a private art tour in London!

miart: Modern and Contemporary Art Fair in Milan

The latest edition of miart – modern and contemporary art fair in Milan opened Thursday April 12th. In the last years, under the guide of Alessandro Rabottini and the precious work of his team, miart has become a benchmark for collectors, curators, museum directors and art lovers in Europe.

This year the fair counts 184 galleries, many of which are hosted in special sections curated by a team of international curators, likes Oda Albera, Alberto Salvadori and Fatos Üstek. For the days of the fair a great number of events are also planned both inside the pavilion and around the city. One of the most important events to know from the Milan ArtWeek program is the extraordinary opening of non-profit spaces scheduled for Saturday evening.

The complete program of events can be found on the miart website. In order not to get lost between openings, performances and special events, below you’ll find a short list of “the one you can’t miss” – and also some advice on where to take a breath during this contemporary art marathon.

Friday 13 April
Opening Triennale Design Museum XI Edition
h. 7 pm at La Triennale di Milano (Viale Emilio Alemagna, 6)

Not to be missed is the opening of the new edition of The Triennale Design Museum. This year the museum is about the history and stories of the Italian design, told through 180 iconic twentieth century objects, with a reflection about the contemporary design scene.

Afterwards I suggest you to go to Bar Basso (in this bar the most famous milanese cocktail Negroni Sbagliato was invented) for a drink between artists and gallerists. 

Bar Basso

Saturday 14 April
Art Night non-profit spaces
h. 8 pm – midnight
-
Videoscreening and Sleep Concert at Standards (via Angiolo Maffucci, 26)

At this time of the year, there are loads of interesting events organised by the non-profit spaces, which as of late have been booming in town. Among these, I suggest you not to miss the Videoscreening E Sleep Concert at Standards curated by Gaia Martino and Roberta Pagani – in collaboration with Archive Books, Frequente and S/V/N/.

After that I recommend you to grab a table at at Latteria Maffucci, one of the most historical taverns in town located close by. They don’t even have a menu, just trust the chef!

Latteria Maffucci

Sunday 15 April
Trip out of town
Continuum at Rocca di Angera - Isole Borromee (via Rocca Castello 2, Angera)

Continuum is the show that inaugurates the new exhibition space at Rocca di Angera, a place dedicated to contemporary creativity. The exhibition, curated by Antonio Grulli in collaboration with the Galleria Massimo Minini of Brescia, presents the works of some great contemporary artists in dialogue with the historical ambiences of the Rocca and the majestic landscape that surrounds it.

Not to be missed is the boat ride on Maggiore Lake, maybe with a stop at Isola Bella and Isola Madre to take a look at their beautiful botanical gardens.

Lago Maggiore

Take an art tour in Milan to discover more! 
 

Guide to Gallery Weekend Berlin

All the best spring-time exhibitions are opening during Gallery Weekend Berlin. Established in 2007 it has become a staple on the global contemporary art calender. Many renowned galleries, museums and private collections are inviting the international art scene to visit Berlin and see the best the city has to offer right now. It's an absolute must for collectors, curators, and art lovers. We've created this list of must-see exhibitions to help you navigate the weekend like an Oh So Arty local.

Thursday, April 26th

The weekend starts early with an exhibition opening at Julia Stoschek Collection Berlin. The private art collection presents Emissaries a new solo show of Ian Cheng’s work.

From April 25th to the 26th, the New York Times is hosting the inaugural Art Leader Network Conference in Berlin. Make sure to catch a lecture hosted by this event coinciding with Gallery Weekend. At the leadership conference distinguished experts will examine the impact of the rapidly changing art market on the contemporary art scene and cultural institutions. For a list of speakers visit the event site here.

Friday, April 27th

Gallery Weekend Berlin officially starts on Friday evening. All 47 participating galleries will be open to visitors from 7 to 9 pm. We recommend kicking off the weekend at Chert Lüdde for the opening reception of Patrizio Di Massimo’s installation, Inside Me dealing with ideas of sexuality and spirituality. Another great exhibition opening Friday night is Claudia Comte's, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth at König Gallery. 

Claude Comte, studio view, 2018. Courtesy of the artist.

If you’d rather skip the opening night gallery crowds then we recommend seeing Hello World. Revising a Collection at Hamburger Bahnhof. In this exhibition the museum looks critically at its own western centric collection and examines cross-cultural exchanges from the late 19th century to today.

Mladen Stilinović, An Artist Who Cannot Speak English Is No Artist, 1992

Saturday, April 28th

On Saturday participating galleries will be open from 11 am to 7 pm. There are myriad exhibitions to choose from but the first two on our list are at Esther Schipper and Sprueth Magers. Catch me if you can! AA Bronson + General Idea, 1968–2018 at Esther Schipper Berlin is a striking photography presentation not to be missed. Sprueth Magers will unveil three separate exhibitions by the artists Andro Wekua, Senga Nengudi and Kara Walker. While all three are sure to be impressive we're most looking forward to viewing Walker's video Fall Frum Grace, Miss Pipi’s Blue Tale, 2011. 

Kara Walker, Fall Frum Grace, Miss Pipi’s Blue Tale, 2011. 

Make your way over to Berlinische Galerie at 6 pm for a reading and screening with Cryill Lachauer. He will be discussing his latest exhibition at Berlinische Galerie, What Do You Want Here?

Unwind with a drink on Saturday night at the Outset after party at Kino International starting at 11 pm.

Andro Wekua, Levun Portrait, 2017

Sunday, April 29th

Spend your Sunday visiting these four galleries who are participating in Gallery Weekend Berlin for the first time. Dittrich & Schlechtriem presents the first solo show in their gallery of works by Andrea Greiner. For his show Hybrid Matter Greiner has created new works that reflect on mankind's relationship with nature. Also new to gallery weekend are Lars Friedrich exhibiting work by German artist Peter Wächtler and Gillmeier Rech who will be presenting Stockholm-based painter Jim Thorrell. The final newcomer is Alexander Levy with a promising show by Julius von Bismarck, Immer noch der Lauf der Dinge. For this exhibition Bismark has installed a moving walkway covering the entire floor of the gallery which forces the visitors to be in constant motion.

JuliusVonBismarck, Immer noch der Lauf der Dinge, 2018

For a full list of participating galleries visit Gallery Weekend Berlin's website here.

If you’re interested in learning even more about the Berlin art scene join us on a private Oh So Arty tour!

Banner image: Merav Ben Loulou.