Culture Corner / What's On / October
Culture Corner is back! As much as we're hating this autumnal drizzle, the turn of season is accompanied by lots of great exhibitions to draw us inside. Here is our guide to the best of London culture for you to explore this month... Photomonth Lisa: 'I'm really looking forward to visiting some of the exciting photography that is going to be showcased as part of Photomonth throughout October and November. Running since 2001, it is now recognised as a major event on the photography calendar and is particularly successful in it's open call for entries which allows emerging photographers to sit alongside the more established. There will be a huge range of exhibitions from over 300 photographers ranging from established galleries like the Barbican to non-profit organisations such as Street Angels at the Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre. I'll be stopping by the London Independent Photography Symposium on 18th October, where former Futures photographer Laura Pannack will be talking about the importance of instinct in photography.'
© Don McCullin Whitechapel circa 1884 East End Archive
Constructing Worlds: Photography and Architecture in the Modern Age Sam: 'Recently opened at the Barbican, Constructing Worlds is the first major London exhibition exploring the symbiotic relationship between photography and architecture. The show’s curators – Elias Redstone and Alona Pardo – present the genre as a fine art practice, looking beyond functional form and highlighting the truths presented about wider society. Encompassing a wide range of approaches and subjects, the show opens fittingly with works from Berenice Abbott’s Changing New York, which reveal something of the progressive ideology of the time. One of the most interesting things about the exhibition is how the gallery environment has been designed to respond to and compliment the content – definitely one to experience first hand!'
© Julius Shulman Case Study House #22, 1960 (Architect: Pierre Koenig) © J. Paul Getty Trust. Used with permission. Julius Shulman Photography Archive, Research Library at the Getty Research Institute (2004.R.10)
The EY Exhibition: Late Turner – Painting Set Free Cassie: 'I’m looking forward to visiting J. M. W. Turner's works of art in The EY Exhibition: Late Turner – Painting Set Free at the Tate Britain. Turner was fascinated by the powers of nature and transferred this passion onto canvas, inventing new techniques to make skies and clouds look luminous and expressive. I find that although the paintings embody drama, movement and passion, the use of colour and style is glorious. I'm looking forward to seeing Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland c.1837. in particular which reminds me of many family holidays on the North East coast.'
Glen Ligon: Call and Response Tom: 'Recently opened at Camden Arts Centre, Glen Ligon: Call and Response, looks to be a fascinating insight on issues of race, violence and sexuality in contemporary America. Using the Harlem Race Riot as a point of departure, the exhibition features a variety of pieces including paintings and neons, as well as a multi-channel video installation featuring the legendary comedian Richard Pryor. Make sure you check out the Jewish Community Centre while you're in the area.'
© Glen Ligon Untitled (Bruise/Blues) (2014) Neon and paint Courtesy the artist, Thomas Dane Gallery, London, Luhring Augustine, New York and Regen Projects, Los Angeles
Speed The Plow Jonathon: 'I can't wait to see Speed-the-Plow at the Playhouse Theatre with Lindsay Lohan. Ever since watching her early works such as Freaky Friday and The Parent Trap to her iconic work of the 2000s such as Mean Girls, I've followed Lindsay's career avidly. Taking a look at the ups and downs of Hollywood (which I'm sure LiLo knows well!), Speed-the-Plow looks to be a rip roaring West End romp.'