A unique list of selected art fairs around the world throughout 2024
ART FAIRS
2024
WORLDWIDE
'The reward of art is not fame or success but intoxication: that is why so many bad artists are unable to give it up.' Jean Cocteau
"Lisa Lyon" by Robert Mapplethorpe / Photos © Courtesy of Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation
MAPPLETHORPE
CURATED BY
EDWARD ENNINFUL
GALERIE THADDAEUS ROPAC
PARIS
What could be more intriguing than a fabulous threesome in Paris with MAPPLETHORPE, ENNINFUL and ROPAC? We asked Edward Enninful about his very first curatorial work pairing Robert Mapplethorpe’s photography at Thaddaeus Ropac, Paris.
Enninful gives the exhibition a sensational visual harmony. Curating and pairing a selection of 46 prints brilliantly together, he forges a new dialogue between the images, inviting visitors to see Mapplethorpe’s work differently.
The exhibition spans fashion photography as well as stark portraits, nudes and still lives. By capturing unexpected subjects with a classical formality, Mapplethorpe defied prevailing aesthetic standards, paving the way far ahead for unconventional, and often shocking beauty to be appreciated as ART.
“Everything has to be with storytelling, and that’s why the pairings in this exhibition were so relevant, and exciting to me.” Edward Enninful
Read the article below ...
Robert Mapplethorpe / Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, Paris (France)
2 March - 6 April 2024
/ Zoltan Alexander
60TH
VENICE BIENNALE
ART FAIR
FOREIGNERS EVERYWHERE
VIP PRE-OPENING
17 - 19 APRIL 2024
OPENING
20 APRIL - 24 NOVEMBER 2024
VENICE
The 60th edition of Venice Biennale, titled “Foreigners Everywhere,” inspired by Claire Fontaine Stranieri Ovunque (2004), and curated by Adriano Pedrosa, Artistic Director of the São Paulo Museum of Art, featured over 330 artists from 80 different countries.
The Biennale opened on 17 April 2024, for preview days, and from the 20 April to the public until late November.
“Foreigners Everywhere” is a testament to how artists have always travelled around the world, how they moved around in various circumstances through cities, countries and continents, something that has only accelerated since the late 20th century, even now, in our current critical time, ironically with increasing restrictions regarding the dislocation or displacement of people. It is indeed time to give voice to vital matters such as identity, nationalism and acceptance that involve most nations. Not a small remit in today’s world.
“The backdrop for the work is widespread with multifarious crises concerning the movement and existence of people in various countries, nations, territories, and borders, which reflect the perils and pitfalls of language, translation, nationality, expressing differences and disparities conditioned by identity, nationality, race, gender, sexuality, freedom, wealth, and greed. The Biennale’s primary focus is thus artists who are themselves foreigners, immigrants, expatriates, diasporic, exiled, or refugees. Migration and decolonization are key themes here.” curator Adriano Pedrosa
Full article will be published shortly.
60th Venice Biennale, Venice (Italy)
VIP pre-opening
17 - 19 April 2024
Public opening
20 April - 24 November 2024
/ The Instigator
"Pink Cloud" purification at the Fondazione Sandretto, Isola di Sangiacomo / Video
© Courtesy of Zoltan Alexander
"Ordeal by Roses Nº15" by Eikoh Hosoe / Photo © Courtesy of Michael Hoppen Gallery
Mishima "Ordeal by Roses Nº32" by Eikoh Hosoe / Photo © Courtesy of Michael Hoppen Gallery
OKASHI
MICHEL HOPPEN GALLERY
LONDON
Does Michael Hoppen gallery need an introduction? NO.
Hoppen is undoubtably the finest photographic gallery in London. Not only they hold one of the foremost collections of Japanese photography in Europe, mainly Japanese post-war photographers, Yoshihiko Ueda, Shōmei Tōmatsu, Masatoshi Naitō, Nobuyoshi Araki, Eikoh Hosoe, but represent the most acclaimed international photographers as well, Richard Learoyd, Guy Bourdin, Peter Beard, Brassaï, Tim Walker.
After 37 years at Jubilee Place, the gallery re-opened their doors in Holland Park, that perfectly describes the gallery’s next chapter, with Okashi, an exquisite exhibition on Japanese photography.
The concept of Okashi has been used throughout Japanese aesthetics to refer to elements with delightful strangeness, power, sensuality, and intrigue.
The show illustrates an eclectic understanding of Japan’s visual identity by including photographs, vintage textiles, woodblock Shunga prints, and rich colourful avantgarde posters. Michael Hoppen personally welcomed us the press, collectors, and art enthusiasts during the private view with a personalised tour and anecdotes. A one-of-a-kind exhibition with rare pieces.
A must see.
Full article will be published shortly.
Okashi / Michel Hoppen Gallery, London (UK)
13 April - 30 June 2024
/ The Instigator
"To Breathe - Constellation" by Kimsooja at the Bourse de Commerce Pinault Collection / Photo and Video © Courtesy of Bourse de Commerce
KIMSOOJA
TO BREATHE - CONSTELLATION
BOURSE DE COMMERCE
PINNAULT COLLECTION
PARIS
Emptiness is infinity.
South-Korean artist Kimsooja, invited to a carte blanche, has inverted Tadao Ando’s Rotunda at the Bourse de Commerce until September with an astounding installation titled “To Breathe - Constellation”. The Artist has covered the entire floor with hundreds of mirrored tiles, echoing the architecture of the space, turning our vision upside-down. In the mirrors the sky dissolves into the glass dome, reshaping our perception of space and challenging the sense of gravitation of our bodies.
"I invite the public to walk on the mirrors to become aware of the materiality of their bodies, and to think about the other side of themselves." Kimsooja
It is undoubtable a magical, breathtaking installation
BREATHE/ CONSTELLATION
Kimsooja also takes over 24 display cases in the circular Passage of the Bourse de Commerce, and the lower level of the museum, showcasing works and video installations that explore the themes of identity, borders, memory, and exile.
Curator: Emma Lavigne, General Director of the Pinault Collection
Full article will be published shortly.
Kim Sooja / Bourse de Commerce, Pinault Collection, Paris (France)
20 March - 2 September 2024
/ The Instigator
"The Crossing of the Appearances" / Video © Courtesy of Centre Pompidou Paris
"The Crossing of the Appearances" / Photo © Courtesy of Zoltan Alexander
LAURENCE BENAÏM
WITH
ROMAIN BRAU
THE CROSSING OF APPEARANCES
LE COURPS À LA LETTRE
CENTRE POMPIDOU
PARIS
Who knows fashion and style in Paris better than writer, curator Laurence Benaïm, and how dull would Paris be without actor, performance artist Romain Brau?
They paired for the entire 20th century modern art on the 5th floor, at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, juxtaposing fashion and art in “The Crossing of Appearances” with a unique performance of Brau “Le Corps à la Letter” reading love-letters to the designers.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, art and fashion have interacted through mutual inspirations like Andy Warhol and Yves Saint Laurent, and collaborations such as Helmut Lang, Louise Bourgeois and Jenny Holzer. One of the first couturiers was Paul Poiret to interact with artists like Robert Delaunay, Constantin Brancusi, Pablo Picasso and Raoul Dufy. Elsa Schiaparelli and Yves Saint Laurent were two other famous examples.
At the exhibition “The Crossing of Appearances”, a Christian Dior's suit is juxtaposed with Ellsworth Kelly, Martin Margiela's design with Giorgio de Chirico, and Marine Serre silhouette with Marcel Duchamp. At the heart of the exhibition “The Crossing of Appearances”, a sensual reading takes place by artist Romain Brau, of texts written by Laurence Benaïm, in the form of letters to creators and couturiers.
Read more about the exhibition and Brau’s role-play performance in our upcoming article. Full article will be published shortly.
Laurence Benaïm The Crossing of Appearances / Centre Pompidou, Paris (France)
24 January – 22 April 2024
Romain Brau Le Corps à la Letter / Centre Pompidou, Paris (France)
27 January - 28 February 2024
/ The Instigator
Portrait of Firouz FarmanFarmaian / Photo © Courtesy of Princess Antalya von Preussen
FIROUZ
FARMAN
FARMAIAN
BAR TALK PODCAST
CHILTERN FIREHOUSE
LONDON
We unexpectedly run into Iranian artist Firouz FarmanFarmaian at Chiltern Firehouse in London, and as he was leaving the following day, we pulled our microphone out, and spontaneously recorded a conversation at the bar.
We revisited some of his previous exhibitions in Marrakesh, his collaboration with the 59th and the current 60th Venice Biennale, and the opening of his ArtRyad in Essaouira, Morocco.
Find out more about the artist, and listen to our spontaneous, noisy and passionate conversation in our review below…
Firouz FarmanFarmaian / Chiltern Firehouse, London (UK)
60th Venice Biennale Arte
Galleria Itinerarte, Venice (Italy)
18 April 2024
/ Zoltan Alexander
The season’s most anticipated photographic art fair, Photo London returns to Somerset House between 16 - 19 May 2024, with a VIP Preview Day on Wednesday 15 May, what promises to be a truly spectacular 9th edition.
Featuring over a hundred exhibitors, new and returning ones, from around the world across five continents. Photo London presents an unrivalled opportunity to discover and collect exquisite photographic works that span the past, present and future of the medium. Following their tradition, Photo London will present three major exhibitions including French photographer Valérie Belin, as part of 2024 Master of Photography.
Belin investigates the tension between the superficial appearance of objects and their true nature, between reality and artificiality.
THE INSTIGATOR will be present to cover the photographic fair, their most current galleries and photographers.
Full article will be published shortly.
Photo London / Somerset House, London (UK)
16 – 19 May 2024
/ The Instigator
PHOTO
LONDON
2024
PHOTOGRAPHIC ART FAIR
SOMERSET HOUSE
16 - 19 MAY 2024
LONDON
"Everything Has Beauty, but Not Everyone Sees It" by Kweku Yeboah / Photo © Courtesy of Bright Gallery
EYE OF A
COLLECTOR
2024
ART FAIR
GARRISON CHAPEL
26 - 29 JUNE 2024
LONDON
Following the success of the 2023 edition at Two Temple Place, under the direction of Founder Nazy Vassegh, Eye of a Collector is returning with its 4th edition to a new location, at the Garrison Chapel, at the Chelsea Barracks, off Sloane Square.
The 1859 Grande II listed Romaneque-Byzantine style chapel will provide a unique setting for collectors and visitors to discover a painstakingly selected collection of works of art and design.
Does London need another art fair? Are the needs of the collectors being satisfied? THE INSTIGATOR will find the answers.
Full article will be published shortly.
Eye of a Collector / Garrison Chapel, London (UK)
26 – 29 June 2024
/ The Instigator
"East-West/West-East" by Richard Serra / Video © Courtesy of Qatar Museums, Qatar
RICHARD SERRA
EAST-WEST/WEST-EAST
QATAR MUSEUMS
QATAR
Late March 2024, we lost the master of rusty steel, curvy metal, and monoliths, Richard Serra, whose latest project was a monumental public art installation in the Qatari desert in collaboration with Qatar Museums. East-West/West-East has become a unique landmark in Qatar since the installation took place in 2014.
Serra, throughout his life visitors were always in his mind, and according to him, the content of the work derives from interaction with the viewer. Serra has always believed that sculptures should not be hidden in a museum, instead, they should be installed in public places.
“This is the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done. It’s a piece that I’d really like to be seen.” Richard Serra
This breathtaking sculpture in the Qatari desert Brouq Nature Reserve spans over a kilometre and comprises four giant monolith steel plates, each over 14 metres in height. To guarantee perfect alignment, Serra examined the topography of the land and beautifully enhanced the vast, desolate space in the heart of the desert.
According to the artist, the colour of the pillars will change from grey to orange to brown until they turn dark amber. The result is a testament to his legacy and genius, it’s spectacular, and timeless.
Richard Serra / Qatar Museums, Brouq (Qatar)
2014
/ The Instigator
EAST
WEST/WEST EAST
JUST PUBLISHED
ROBERT
MAPPLETHORPE
CURATED BY
EDWARD ENNINFUL
AT THADDAEUS ROPAC
PARIS
We asked Edward Enninful at the Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, about his very first curatorial work pairing Robert Mapplethorpe’s photography. Enninful gives the exhibition a sensational visual harmony.
