Mark Dion: Theatre of the Natural World
My new favourite artist is Mark Dion (born 1961 USA). His extensive exhibition in Whitechapel Gallery offers humour, food for thought as well as eye candy. Dion explores the fragile relationship between humans and nature through large installations, sculpture, drawings and prints. My favourite piece is the new commission that dominates the main hall, an enormous bird cage The Library for the Birds of London (2018) You can step into the cage filled with living birds!
Whitechapel Gallery Whitechapel Gallery, 77–82 Whitechapel High St, Lontoo. Until 13.5. Tickets
£12,95/9,50
Tacita Dean: three different exhibitions
Tacita Dean (born 1965, UK) is the hottest living UK artist at the moment, with exhibitions in three London museums this spring. She was part of the Young British Artists group already in the 1990’s. Dean mostly works in 16 mm film, crafting her pictures with precise aesthetics.
Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery shows Dean’s portraits of several cultural icons and artists. Although breathtakingly beautiful, it feels like it’s made for arts insiders rather than for the general public.
Still Life at National Gallery consists of only two rooms. The exhibition includes a few of Dean´s pieces in dialogue with paintings from the museum’s own collection.
Landscape opens in May at Royal Academy. You should probably book your tickets now!
National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, WC2H 0HE. Until 28.5. Tickets £12,50/10,50
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. Until 28.5. Free admission.
Royal Academy, 19.5.–12.8. Tickets £14. Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD
Jonna Kina: SOMNIVM
Like Tacita Dean, Jonna Kina (born 1984, Finland) also works with 16 mm film. Timeless, cinematic piece takes the viewer to the marble mines of Carrera. Like Dion, Kina looks into the relationship between humans and nature.
Beaconsfield Gallery, Vauxhall (BGV), 22 Newport Street, SE11 6AY. Until 22.4. Free admission.
Ian Cheng: BOB
This exhibition is absolutely hilarious! Ian Cheng’s (born 1984, USA) animated, interactive beings delight and make you laugh at the Serpentine Gallery. Also like Dion, Cheng´s sentient artworks transform the gallery into a zoo – but for artificial intelligence beings.
Serpentine Galleries, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA. Until 22.4. Free admission.
