While the country waits on tomorrow’s results the art world has been ticking along announcing its own nominations and changes of constituency. The Turner Prize was announced; east end gallery Bischoff/Weiss has moved to the West End and the ICA has re-launched its performance programme with “Live Weekends”. Here at the RA we’re missing Van Gogh but enjoying George Sandby and Barbara Rae whilst we look forward to June and the Summer Exhibition.
I would also like to point out that there is a brief reminder about events and timings on the RA website: http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/support/patrons/contemporary,453,AR.html
TURNER PRIZE
Many of you will know that the Turner Prize nominees were announced this week. Apparently there’s a shift towards recognising the “mid-career” artists this year as opposed to the 30-somethings that usually win it. Two of the nominees this year are 49, just one year shy of the cut off date for eligibility. This year Dexter Dalwood, Susan Philipsz, Angela de la Cruz and The Otolith Group compete for the controversial accolade. Painter Dalwood is the bookies favorite but The Guardian’s Jonathan Jones isn’t happy about it:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2010/may/04/turner-prize-shortlist-2010
BERLIN
Last weekend was the Berlin Gallery Weekend, with the exploding young German art scene throwing open its doors to an eager public. The newly opened Soho House Berlin hosted the Damien Hirst/Michael Joo party and the traditional scrum to get invited ensued. Read the highlights from Frieze Magazine here:
http://www.frieze.com/blog/entry/berlin_highlights/
PICASSO
The auction houses hit the headlines again with a record sale. Picasso’s “Nude Green Leaves, and Bust” sold for $106.5m on Tuesday beating the Giacometti record set by Sotheby’s only three months ago.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/7dd8b804-5809-11df-9eaf-00144feab49a.html
PAUL HUXLEY RA
Paul will be in conversation with curator David Thorp on Monday 10th May at the Jerwood Space. Paul and David will be discussing the work in this years “Contemporary Painters” exhibition. Do go along and support.
Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street, Bankside, London SE1 0LN
Events are FREE, however booking is essential and space is limited. Please contact jva@jerwoodspace.co.uk
POP-UP ART RESTAURANT
Many of you will remember Trolley Gallery from our East End Gallery Tour of a couple of months ago, similarly you’ll remember concept chef Caroline Hobkinson from the Broken Biscuits gastronomical and historical tour of the Boundary Estate. Having met that night through the Contemporary Circle event the two are now collaborating on a Pop-Up restaurant at the gallery this summer. More information to follow…
EXHIBITION OF THE WEEK
Melanie Gilligan
7 May – 20 June 2010
Chisenhale Gallery premieres a new film, installation and website commission by video artist Melanie Gilligan. Her new film, Popular Unrest, is a multi-episode drama set in a future much like the present. Here, however, all exchange transactions and social interactions are overseen by a system called 'the Spirit'. A rash of unexplained killings have broken out across the globe. They often take place in public but witnesses never see an assailant. Just as mysteriously, groups of unrelated people are suddenly coming together everywhere, amassing new members rapidly. Unaccountably, they feel a deep and persistent sense of connection to one another.
Chisenhale Gallery
64 Chisenhale Road
London E3 5QZ
UK
+44 (0) 20 8981 4518
www.chisenhale.org.uk