download as PDF - The Word Magazine

14
13. american life
In An American Experiment, 12 paintings
by George Bellows and the Ashcan Painters
are presented, introducing viewers to a seminal
period in the history of American painting. The
Ashcan School was formed at the beginning of
the 20th century as painters, principally in New
York City and Philadelphia, began to develop a
uniquely American point of view on the beauty,
violence and velocity of the modern world –
and a new way to represent them. Don’t miss the
1913 painting The Big Dory (pictured), one of
Bellows’ most audacious images – which anticipated
the stylisations of Art Deco a generation
later – and the true highlight of this exhibition.
An American experiment
Until 30 th May
National Gallery, London
nationalgallery.org.uk
*
The ShOW YOu CAN’T MISS
powder Train
@ Cielo 3 (London), until 12 th April –
Collaborative duo Ant&Co are showing
a selection of portraits touching upon
the contemporary art scene as well as
pop-culture’s fixtures. Photographer
Alisa Connan captures celebrities; the
pictures then transformed by artist
Karl Anthoney’s painting or silkscreen
techniques.
antandco.com
14. playfully yours
The Tate Modern’s retrospective of
Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco has generated
much deserved hype. Featuring over 80 works
– including a new installation – it highlights
his substantial production of sculpture,
photography, drawing and painting. Orozco is
renowned for his experimentation with found
objects, both natural and man made, which
he subtly alters. This will be your chance to
witness some of his most famous creations,
including Black Kites, a human skull upon
which Orozco drew a geometric checkerboard
pattern, Horses Running Endlessly, or La DS,
a classic Citroën DS that has been sliced into
thirds and deprived of its central part to exaggerate
its streamlined, aerodynamic design.
Gabriel Orozco
Until 25 th April
Tate Modern, London
tate.org.uk
The diary
15. Take no prisoners
A pioneer of feminism, the late Nancy
Spero was politically active throughout her
life. The American artist created work that
was often radical – making strong statements
against war, violence, male dominance and
abuses of power. Using a more ephemeral and
immediate way of working, the ideas come
alive through the use of tools such as painting,
collage, printmaking and installation. Spero’s
approach and school of thought – which she
described as “peinture féminine” – created a
vibrant visual language that balanced ethics
with aesthetics.
Nancy Spero
Until 1 st May
Serpentine Gallery, London
serpentinegallery.org
16. rising stars
Be the first to spot the new generation
of YBA’s at The British Art Show’s seventh
edition. Widely recognised as the most ambitious
and influential exhibition of contemporary
British art, it will feature the works
of 39 artists, selected on the grounds of their
significant contribution to international contemporary
art in the last five years. Since its
beginning in 1979, the list of previous exhibitors
reads like a Who’s Who of British Art
– Lucien Freud, Gilbert and George, Anish
Kapoor, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin –
many of whom were shown long before they
became household names.
The British Art Show 7:
In the Days of the Comet
Until 17 th April
Southbank Centre, London
southbankcentre.co.uk
*
The ShOW
YOu CAN’T MISS
Modern british Sculpture
@ Royal Academy of Arts (London), until
7 th April – Brush up on your knowledge
of British sculpture with this comprehensive
review of 20 th century works,
including landmark pieces such as henry
Moore’s Festival Figure, Anthony Caro’s
early One Morning, Julian Opie’s W or
Damien hirst’s Let’s eat Outdoors Today.
royalacademy.org.uk
13.
14.
15.
16.
© Alasdair Gray, courtesy of the artist and Sorcha Dallas © Courtesy of Collection G&R Mayer
© Florian Kleinefenn, courtesy of the artist
© Alex Morganti, courtesy New Britain Museum of American Art