Who. What. Where? No. 85
First up, it’s one for all you aspiring art collectors. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Battersea Park’s Affordable Art Fair, which collates together the best (and slightly more affordable) contemporary art. The Affordable Art Fair is all about democratising the art world and to mark 25 years of doing just that, 2024’s programme comes with a few exciting little extras. Not only is there an installation by artist Helen Brough to commemorate the occasion, but the return of Art After Dark Lates, which is the perfect ticket for couples looking for a more creative date night. Alongside DJs, complimentary drinks and the chance to try the fair’s 25th anniversary cocktail, Ink & Drink workshops will also be on offer. You can fill in the gaps as to what they might entail. The Affordable Art Fair runs from the 16th to the 20th of October — grab more info here.
For those less inclined towards taking a piece of art home, it’s over to The Hayward Gallery, who are shaking things up with Haegue Yang: Leap Year. Running from the 9th of October to the 5th of January, it’s the Korean artist’s first major UK exhibition. Leap Year is far from the norm — Yang has made a name for herself by turning everyday bits and bobs into mind-bending installations that will have you doing a double take. There’s sensory treats spread across five different zones, though the ostensible star of the show is a dreamy installation of blue and silver bells you can actually walk through. On special occasions – you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for this – massive, bell-adorned sculptures will even move across the gallery floor. The thinking behind Yang’s work? It’s steeped in references, touching on everything from East Asian traditions to folklore. Grab a ticket here.
This week, we’re treating the art lovers right. Next, it’s over to experimental artist Mike Kelley, whose mind-bending retrospective is being housed by none other than the Tate. Bringing together three decades of his most provocative work, this one’s practically unmissable. From his signature “craft” sculptures made from stuffed toys to epic multimedia installations like Day Is Done, the show is a wild ride through pop culture, philosophy, and twisted imagination. Drawing on everything from underground scenes to high-brow theory, Kelley remixes memory and identity in ways that still feel revolutionary a decade after his passing. Book tickets here.
Next up, we’re heading up North. This Saturday, Manchester’s Depot Mayfield will be taken over by the Welsh electronic duo (and a whole roster of other names) as part of The Warehouse Project. Some of the biggest names on the lineup include Sammy Virji, Joy Orbison, Interplanetary Criminal, Ewan McVicar and Ben UFO, though it’s a hefty one, and you’re sure to find someone you can groove (and get a bit silly) to. Tickets are sold out (sorry), but you can join the waitlist for a ticket here.
Last but not least, the film you should be heading out to see this week is Aaron Schimberg’s A Different Man. Starring Sebastian Stan (Fresh), Adam Pearson (Under the Skin) and Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World), the comedy thriller follows Edward, who after undergoing facial-reconstructive surgery, becomes fixated on an actor who’s playing his former self. Trippy, musing on identity, and yet another film which solidifies Stan’s ability to transcend his Marvel-beginnings, it’s one to see on the big screen. Still unconvinced? It’s also an A24 flick. Yes, there you go. Grab a ticket to watch at a Picturehouse cinema here.
