Not sure how to spend your crisp October days? We’ve got some fun fall activities for you

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© Tim Walker Studio, Courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery

Captivating Exhibitions Around the World. Dive into extraordinary showcases that celebrate art, culture, and imagination.

The art world continues to captivate audiences with exhibitions that transcend traditional boundaries. Each showcase brings unique perspectives, from evocative photography to conceptual installations, offering profound connections to identity, culture, and creativity. These transformative events celebrate the artistic spirit that dares to challenge norms and reimagine storytelling.

Art is not merely an expression; it is a conversation between the creator, the medium, and the audience. In these exhibitions, this dialogue is rich and diverse, weaving tales of resilience, whimsy, and change. By experiencing these showcases, we deepen our understanding of the evolving relationship between art and society.

From the vibrant streets of 1980s New York to surreal portraits of cultural icons, this season’s exhibitions transport visitors through time and imagination. As we delve into each event, we discover stories that challenge our perspectives and celebrate the universal threads that connect us all.

The art world is buzzing with transformative exhibitions that invite viewers to experience creativity in its most vibrant and provocative forms. These showcases go beyond aesthetics, delving into the stories and cultural nuances that shape our collective understanding of art. Each exhibition offers a glimpse into a different realm, revealing the emotional and intellectual depth of artistic expression.

Art is more than a visual experience; it is a medium of storytelling that connects creators and audiences across time and space. Whether through evocative photographs, surreal portraits, or conceptual installations, these exhibitions challenge our perceptions and invite us to see the world from new perspectives. They embody the idea that art, in all its forms, is a language of universal resonance.

The events this season take us on a journey through time, culture, and imagination. From New York’s gritty underground scenes of the 1980s to Berlin’s avant-garde collectives, each exhibition tells a unique story of resilience, exploration, and transformation. The artists behind these works push boundaries, creating pieces that are as thought-provoking as they are beautiful.

© Tim Walker Studio, Courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery

As we explore these exhibitions, we are reminded of art’s ability to transcend the ordinary. It invites us into moments of wonder and reflection, offering a lens through which to view the complexity of the human experience. These exhibitions stand as testaments to the enduring power of creativity and its role in shaping our world.

Arlene Gottfried: After Dark at Daniel Cooney Fine Art, New York

Arlene Gottfried’s After Dark exhibition shines a spotlight on the raw, untamed energy of 1980s New York nightlife. With her camera, Gottfried ventured into the city’s underground clubs and drug dens, documenting a world that thrived in the shadows. Her photographs capture moments of vulnerability, resilience, and unabashed authenticity, bringing the untold stories of her subjects to light.

A self-described wanderer, Gottfried’s approach to photography was deeply personal and empathetic. Her images transcend mere documentation, offering a deeply human narrative of a city teeming with diversity and contradiction. In After Dark, her work reveals not only the grit but also the beauty of an era marked by both chaos and creativity.

Courtesy of Saint Laurent.

Tim Walker: Wonderful People at Michael Hoppen Gallery, London

Tim Walker’s Wonderful People exhibition is a testament to his ability to blur the lines between reality and fantasy. Known for his whimsical and surreal photography, Walker creates portraits that are as enchanting as they are thought-provoking. His use of bold set designs and striking costumes adds layers of depth to each image, making every photograph a world unto itself.

The exhibition features iconic figures such as Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, and Madonna, each portrayed in Walker’s signature style. These portraits are not just photographs; they are visual stories that celebrate individuality and creativity. Walker’s work invites viewers to explore the extraordinary within the ordinary, redefining the possibilities of portraiture.

Honey-Suckle Company: Omnibus at the ICA, London

Celebrating 25 years of artistic innovation, Berlin’s Honey-Suckle Company presents Omnibus, a retrospective that encapsulates their avant-garde approach. The collective’s work spans art, fashion, and music, offering a multi-dimensional exploration of cultural and creative expression.

Omnibus features new installations alongside their past creations, including clothing collections made from unconventional materials like duct tape and plastic toys. These works reflect the collective’s ability to adapt to Berlin’s evolving cultural landscape. The exhibition is a vibrant testament to the power of collaboration and experimentation in art.

“Art allows us to explore the depths of our emotions and connect with the experiences of others. It is a bridge between what we see and what we feel.” – Arlene Gottfried

Lorenzo Vitturi: Materia Impura at Foam, Amsterdam

Lorenzo Vitturi’s Materia Impura bridges the gap between photography and sculpture, creating dynamic works that explore themes of migration and identity. Inspired by urban environments, Vitturi uses vibrant found materials to craft pieces that are as tactile as they are visual.

The exhibition showcases both his early works and his latest series, Caminantes, which chronicles his journeys between Peru and Italy. By incorporating materials from these regions, Vitturi creates art that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. His work is a celebration of cultural heritage and the connections that bind us.

Bridget Riley at the Hayward Gallery, London

Bridget Riley’s retrospective at the Hayward Gallery is a journey through her seven-decade career as an Op-Art pioneer. Known for her mesmerizing optical illusions, Riley’s work plays with perception, creating dynamic compositions that seem to move and shift before the viewer’s eyes.

This exhibition features her iconic black-and-white pieces from the 1960s alongside her later explorations of color. Riley’s work challenges viewers to question their perceptions, offering an interactive experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is visually stunning.

Honey-Suckle Company: Omnibus at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London: October 2, 2019 – January 12, 2020

Saint Laurent Café, Paris Open Now

The Saint Laurent Café at Rive Droite in Paris offers a unique blend of fashion, design, and lifestyle. This chic café invites visitors to enjoy espresso served in Limoges porcelain cups, adding a touch of luxury to their coffee break.

Beyond its beverages, the café embodies the brand’s innovative spirit, featuring curated playlists and stylish ambiance. It’s more than a café; it’s a cultural experience that seamlessly integrates art, design, and everyday indulgence.

These exhibitions and events demonstrate the boundless possibilities of art to inspire, challenge, and connect. From the intimate stories of New York’s underground to the surreal worlds of Tim Walker and the tactile creations of Lorenzo Vitturi, each showcase invites us to explore new dimensions of creativity.

Art has the power to transform the way we see the world and ourselves. These exhibitions remind us of the beauty in diversity and the importance of storytelling in its many forms. As Gerhard Richter once said, “Art is the highest form of hope.” Through these showcases, we find hope in the limitless potential of human creativity.

Brown Fortuny, Mantas, Ccochinilla & Ccoli Dyed Yarn, Fishing Nets, Wood in Lazzaretto Vecchio from the series Caminantes, 2019 © Lorenzo Vitturi

Art and photography serve as timeless windows into the human experience, offering a glimpse into the minds and emotions of creators from across the globe. These exhibitions stand as testaments to the unyielding power of creativity, reminding us that art is not merely a reflection of life but a profound force that shapes and reimagines it.

From the vibrant nightlife captured by Arlene Gottfried to the surreal portraiture of Tim Walker, each piece we encounter deepens our understanding of the world around us. These works provoke thought and stir emotion, encouraging viewers to reflect not only on the subjects presented but also on their own lives and perspectives.

As audiences explore these exhibitions, they are invited to traverse diverse narratives—stories of resilience, exploration, and innovation. Whether through Riley’s dynamic patterns, Honey-Suckle Company’s experimental creations, or Vitturi’s sculptural photography, art provides a universal language that speaks to all who are willing to engage with it.

In celebrating these artists and their groundbreaking contributions, we are reminded of art’s enduring ability to connect, inspire, and transform. As Arlene Gottfried once said, “Through the lens, I captured not just images but the very spirit of a city and its people.”

Text by
Kaden Mason

Posted
October 1, 2019

Text by
Kaden Mason

August 9, 2018

Exhibitions and Events

Arlene Gottfried: After Dark at Daniel Cooney Fine Art, New York: until October 26, 2019
In the 1980s, New York photographer Arlene Gottfried took to the city’s underground nightclubs and drug dens with her camera, documenting the people she encountered after dark. An exhibition of that name, After Dark, continues this month, showcasing the unflinching photographs Gottfried created during these years. Gottfried spent her career capturing the lifeblood of New York – she described her practice as “a life of wandering” – and the photographs featured in After Dark offer an alternative look at her varied and vibrant oeuvre (which, when she died in 2017, numbered around 15,000 photographs).

TW_ID_RICHARD_QUINN_D_SHOT_01_0006 (1) — Tim Walker, Richard Quinn, floral chair and living mannequin, London, 2016© Tim Walker Studio, Courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery

Tim Walker: Wonderful People at Michael Hoppen Gallery, London: October 25, 2019 – January 25, 2020
A month after the exciting opening of Wonderful Things at the V&A, Michael Hoppen Gallery opens its own exhibition dedicated to the transporting photography of Tim Walker. Wonderful People focuses on Walker’s portraits, with extraordinary subjects including the likes of Tilda Swinton, Claire Foy, Timothée Chalamet, Marion Cotillard and Madonna. Playful set design, surreal elements and striking clothing abound in Walker’s photography, and the portraits on show in Wonderful People are typically arresting.

Honey-Suckle Company: Omnibus at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London: October 2, 2019 – January 12, 2020
A collective founded in Berlin in 1994, Honey-Suckle Company’s 25 years of creating is being celebrated this month in London. Honey-Suckle Company’s work spans art, fashion and music, and Omnibus at the ICA marks the first exhibition dedicated to the group. Having created new installations to house some of the collective’s past “fluctuating and ephemeral interventions” – from clothing collections produced in the 90s and made using materials like cling film, duct tape and plastic toys to Super 8 videos, animations and performances – Omnibus looks at how Honey-Suckle Company has responded to Berlin’s changing cultural landscape of the past quarter of a century.

Green Cotisso Mantas Foam Green Fortuny Mask Wicke — Green Cotisso, Mantas, Foam, Green Fortuny, Mask, Wicker Vase, Blue Plastic in Paracas, from the series Caminantes, 2019© Lorenzo Vitturi

Lorenzo Vitturi: Materia Impura at Foam, Amsterdam: October 18, 2019 – January 19, 2020
Colourful found materials combine to create sculptural forms in the photography of Lorenzo Vitturi, who responds directly to certain urban environments in his work. The Italy-born, London-based artist has a solo exhibition at Foam, Amsterdam, opening this month, which will showcase both his acclaimed early series – including Dalston Anatomy and Money Must be Made – and new work entitled Caminantes, the culmination of personal journeys Vitturi has made between Peru and Italy (echoing those made by his father in his youth) and incorporating various materials from each country he has gathered along the way.

Bridget Riley_Blaze 1 — Bridget Riley, Blaze 1, 1962 Private collection, on long loan to National Galleries of Scotland 2017© Bridget Riley 2019. All rights reserved. Photo © National Galleries of Scotland

Bridget Riley at the Hayward Gallery, London: October 23, 2019 – January 26, 2020
Op-Art pioneer Bridget Riley is being celebrated in London this month with an exhibition at the Hayward Gallery. Riley – who has had two previous solo exhibitions in the London space, in 1971 and 1992 – has enjoyed a seven-decade long career, and will present work made between 1960 and 2012. The largest retrospective of Riley’s work to date, the eponymous retrospective will feature a number of her captivating black-and-white works from the 1960s, which appear three-dimensional, rippling and shifting before the viewer’s eyes thanks to Riley’s precise and clever rendering.

SAINT LAURENT RIVE DROITE_CAFE_HR_05 — Saint Laurent Café, Rive Droite

Saint Laurent Café, Paris: open now
At Saint Laurent’s Parisian concept store Rive Droite – where things like vintage record players and Saint Laurent-customised skateboards are stocked, alongside the brand’s clothing and accessories – you can now stop for a coffee mid-shop. Sit in for an espresso served in a chic Limoges porcelain cup and saucer, or scan the barcode on your take-away cup to listen to Saint Laurent’s weekly playlist.

By & Large Exhibitions Photography Richard Quinn Saint Laurent Unique Perspectives

Need to Know

Melodic Mastermind: Aime Simone’s Dynamic Influence Reshaping the Music Scene

Read time 2 minutes

Posted
July 1, 2023

Courtesy of Aime Simone.

In the dynamic world of music, fresh talents constantly emerge, captivating listeners with their unique voices and compelling stories.

With a subtle pop sound and poignant lyrics, Aime Simone has captured the attention of music lovers worldwide, establishing himself as an emerging voice in the industry. Born with a passion for music, Aime Simone’s journey began at a young age. Growing up in a musically inclined family, he was exposed to a diverse range of genres and artists, which inspired his own musical aspirations. Drawing influences from soul, folk, and pop, Aime Simone developed a distinct sound that would later define his artistry.

Aime Simone made his mark with his debut single, “Say Yes, Say No.” in Berlin, releasing it independently in July 2020 – including the viral hit single “Shining Light” which would race to over 30M streams. Released to critical acclaim, the song showcased his powerful vocals and lyrical depth. It’s introspective nature and emotional resonance struck a chord with listeners, earning him recognition as a promising new talent. The track’s success paved the way for Aime Simone to further explore his creative potential and solidify his presence in the music scene.

As Aime Simone’s career progressed, his musical style evolved, showcasing his versatility as an artist. He began experimenting with different sounds and production techniques, fusing elements of electronic music with his soulful foundation. This fusion created a captivating blend that set him apart from his contemporaries, allowing him to carve out a unique niche within the industry. One of the defining aspects of Aime Simone’s music is his ability to convey raw emotions and thought-provoking themes through his lyrics. Whether addressing personal experiences, societal issues, or matters of the heart, his songs resonate with authenticity and vulnerability. Aime Simone’s introspective approach to songwriting has garnered praise for his ability to connect with listeners on a deep and meaningful level.

Aime Simone’s talent extends beyond the recording studio, as he delivers captivating performances that leave a lasting impact on audiences. His live shows are known for their energy, intimacy, and connection with fans. Aime Simone’s ability to create an immersive experience, combined with his magnetic stage presence, solidifies his reputation as a captivating performer. With his star on the rise, Aime Simone shows no signs of slowing down. As he continues to refine his sound and expand his musical horizons, fans eagerly anticipate what lies ahead. Aime Simone’s dedication to his craft, coupled with his unwavering authenticity, positions him as an artist to watch in the years to come.

Aime Simone’s emergence as a compelling voice in the music industry is a testament to his talent, passion, and dedication. With his soulful sound, introspective lyrics, and magnetic stage presence, he has captivated audiences and garnered acclaim from music enthusiasts worldwide. As Aime Simone’s musical journey unfolds, we can expect him to leave an indelible mark on the industry, solidifying his status as an influential and beloved artist.

Courtesy of Aime Simone.

Kelly: What is something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn?

Aime: People are usually surprised when they find out that I am French. I have lost a lot of my accent and I almost exclusively speak English at home, so if you don’t know me that might surprise you.
Or maybe I don’t drink alcohol, smoke, or take drugs. That would probably surprise a lot of people.

Kelly: Can you tell us about a project you are currently working on and
what do you hope to achieve with it?

Aime: Right now I am working on the live show. It’s a continual work in progress, but right now I am making adjustments based on what I learn from the festivals that I’m doing. Every show is an opportunity to improve. I want to have a show that feels amazing to perform and to experience. I want the energy to be effortless, powerful, and cathartic. I want the show to carry you, lift you, and release something in you. So I’m working on that.

Kelly: What would be your dream project or collaboration?

Aime: I would love to make an album in a special place, like a villa in a warm climate. I would like to have the experience of completely immersing in the creative work for a while, isolated from everything else. Gathering the right instruments, tools, and people to be around and bring the right energy. That would be a luxury.

Courtesy of Aime Simone.

Kelly: How do you navigate the intersection of your public persona and your private life, and what boundaries do you set?

Aime: I think I’m starting to reach the point where I do have to set some kind of boundary. Before I was making the effort to address everything on a personal level, respond to all the messages, etc. I knew at some point that would become difficult. I do feel guilty but it’s just not possible for it to stay the same. So I think I have become more picky about what I put my energy into. For example, some fans give me a lot, a lot of love and I know they truly connect to me and my music. For them, I will always be there. But more and more some people just want something from me, and they don’t make the effort to know me. They just see that I have some kind of spotlight on me sometimes so they try to get something from me. I have to cut myself off from that kind of energy, it is depressing and empty.

” I just have to believe my intuition. It’s very scary in the industry where everything is built to make you believe that you can’t do it your way, that you have to do things the “right” way or you will fail, be punished, or be abandoned.”

Kelly: If you could have any historical figure over for dinner, who would it be and what would you serve?

Aime: I would bring back Salvador Dalí and I would serve lobster.

Kelly: If you could only have one app on your phone, what would it be?

Aime: Probably WhatsApp. Or Instagram.

Kelly: How do you balance the pressure to be perfect with the need to take
risks and try new things?

Aime: That’s a real challenge. But I don’t think about it too much. I know that the answer is always in the action. You can’t try too hard to do anything. Just do the work, don’t be lazy. Do it well, take it as far as you can. And let go if it’s time. It’s something you learn over and over again. That’s just the work of an artist I think.

Courtesy of Aime Simone.

Kelly: What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your industry today, and how do you think it can be addressed?

Aime: The lack of attention span. The sheer amount of content and high stimulation of everyday life today is not conducive to people connecting to music and artists. While the advantage of today might be the huge amount of exposure, what is lacking is the ability for people to take the time to understand the depth of an artist. I think people are more likely to feel superficially stimulated by a song and enjoy it for a very short amount of time before skipping to the next thing, rather than discovering an artist and diving into their universe. I think it is still something that humans need. So there is this lack of connection, deep connection to art. I think reaching the hearts of people is more difficult today. Everyone is too busy, overstimulated, or apathetic. I think it’s a greater question of where we are headed as a culture. We are still physical beings. We have to make our relationship with technology symbiotic, not destructive. I think there is still a balance to find that will be more healthy.

Courtesy of Aime Simone.

Kelly: How do you maintain authenticity and stay true to yourself in an industry that can often be superficial and image-driven?

Aime: Always bring it back to the music. That is the center of it all. The songs. The melodies, the lyrics. As long as those are true then I am not worried about losing myself, that keeps me grounded in authenticity.

Kelly: Can you describe a moment when you had to take a leap of faith and
pursue a new path or direction in your career?

Aime: I’ve had to quit working with some people. That is always scary because when you work with someone for a long time you are used to that and you feel comfortable in the familiarity. But sometimes you have to change things. So for me, those kinds of moments feel like a leap of faith, and I just have to believe my intuition. It’s very scary in the industry where everything is built to make you believe that you can’t do it your way, that you have to do things the “right” way or you will fail, be punished, or be abandoned.

Kelly: How do you stay motivated and inspired to continue to create and innovate in your work, despite challenges and obstacles?

Aime: It’s all there is to do in this life for me. I don’t think I could ever give up, what would I do?
The challenges and the obstacles are part of the experience. They make me strong. I think I chose this path because I wanted to grow. Sometimes I feel like giving up. But I think that feeling is towards very specific things- giving up on certain aspects of the industry, for example. I could imagine someday choosing a more underground path. I come from that, so it would feel less challenging I think. The industry is very uncomfortable, but at the same time, I like the competition with myself in this very harsh context.

Kelly: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice at the beginning of your career, what would it be?

Aime: It’s strange because anything I can think of that I would do differently today is exactly what led me to be here now. So it’s hard to answer.

Catch Aime Simone on tour

May 12th – The Great Escape – Brighton (UK)
June 4th – We Love Green – Paris (FR)
November 6th – La Cigale – Paris (FR)
November 27th – Circolo Magnolia – Milano (IT)

Oh Glory is out now on Because Music.