THE
INSTIGATOR
Art & Culture magazine
/NEWS
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