Art Weekly Digest: London 12 - 18 March, 2018

Every week The Art Partners post a carefully curated selection of cultural events to see in London.

Subscribe and stay updated!

Opening Of The Week

Art Capital: Art for the Elizabeth line

"A Sunday Afternoon" in Whitechapel by Chantal Joffe Courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro — "A Sunday Afternoon" in Whitechapel by Chantal Joffe *Courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro*

Londoners are looking forward to the opening of the new central Elizabeth Line stations. The contemporary art world couldn’t have failed to notice this important event; hence, the Crossrail Art Programme is cooperating with British and international artists (including Chantal Joffe, Spencer Finch and Simon Periton) to create a series of spectacular public art commissions. Even though they will only be announced in December 2018, the exhibition at Whitechapel reveals some of the artists’ ideas.

The exhibition runs until May 6 at Whitechapel gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, E1 7QX

In Focus

Yto Barrada: Agadir

The first London commission of Moroccan-born artist Yto Barrada is very deep and emotional. The project attempts to reunite personal narratives together with political ideals in order to recreate an image of people in the destroyed city. The artist takes “Agadir” (1967) – a book written by Mohammed Khaïr-Eddine as the foundation of her commission. The book tells of the devastating earthquake in Morocco in 1960; and it's supported by live and recorded performances. The installation shows the difficult path of reinvention after a disaster.

This show runs until May 20 at the Barbican Centre, Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS

Art Discourse

Kay Watson on Ian Cheng

Scene from Ian Cheng's “Emissary Sunsets The Self” ( Bryan Conley/Carnegie Museum of Art )

This spring, New York-based artist Ian Chang will populate the Serpentine Gallery with artificial life in a two-part exhibition, starting with "BOB," and continuing with "Emissaries" (recently acquired by the MoMA). This talk is a chance to find out more about the artist’s unusual practice - he uses computer simulation to create virtual ecosystems of infinite duration, populated with agents programmed with behavioral drives. "BOB" (Bag Of Beliefs) represents an engaging and evolving experience: the litter of BOBs is not exhibited for the viewers, but the visitors are exhibited for them. Each BOB may become interested in you, love or hate you, even mistake you for someone else, learn from you, or simply ignore you. In turn, you may permanently influence a BOB’s behaviour.

This talk takes place on March 17, 3 p.m., at the Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London, W2 3XA

Hymn For The Weekend

Anthony McCall:

Solid Light Works

Anthony McCall is known for his ‘solid-light’ installations, a series that he began in 1973 with “Line Describing a Cone,” in which a volumetric form composed of projected light slowly evolves in three-dimensional space. This is the first major UK show for McCall and will include premieres of three ‘solid light’ installations that often invite visitors to become active participants in the work. Exhibited at the David Chipperfield-designed galleries at The Hepworth Wakefield, the show promises to be an unforgettable experience.

The exhibition runs until June 3 at The Hepworth Wakefield, Gallery Walk, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 5AW

Last Chance To See

Rachel Howard: Der Kuss

*Rachel Howard 'On Violence Spring' Image courtesy of the artist and Blain Southern Gallery*

“Der Kuss,” or “The Kiss,” is an ongoing exhibition at Blain|Southern Gallery, and features works by British artist Rachel Howard. Her paintings and sculptures are about different forms of violence – internal and external; while the title refers to intimate states: love and betrayal. The installation occupies two rooms: the first room has paintings that represent universal suffering, such as plane crashes; while in the second room, visitors can find some of the artist’s abstract works, all dedicated to violence and power.

The exhibition is on view until March 17, at Blain|Southern Gallery, 4 Hanover Square, London W1S 1BP