1. Exhibition: London
-Studio Voltaire Open House
This weekend, South London-based artists collective Studio Voltaire will open its doors to the public, hosting a series of talks, screenings and workshops in the 30 studios on site. Don’t miss one of Monocle’s favourite artists Phyllida Barlow taking an informal tour of Glaswegian artist Hayley Tompkins’ new exhibition Currents, on Saturday afternoon at 15.00.
Studio Voltaire, 1a Nelson’s Row, London, SW4. Saturday 30 July, 12.00 – 18.00.
2. Music: Global
-Little Dragon 'Ritual Union'
Few would have placed their bets on a Swedish quartet formed in high school by three music geeks and a pint-sized chanteuse to reach third album status. But Little Dragon have a considerable advantage in vocalist Yukimi Nagano. She’s a spellbinding asset able to make any song sound sexy without really trying. Much credit also goes to the mesmerising instrumentals concocted by her band mates, which shine on their latest opus. An electro-pop gem that begs to be listened to on repeat, Ritual Union establishes Little Dragon as one of the most interesting acts to emerge from Scandinavia – and luckily the formula works as brilliantly on stage as it does in the studio.
‘Ritual Union’ is available now globally.
3. Exhibition: Leeds
-Mario Merz: What is to be done?
While fellow Arte Povera artist Michaelangelo Pistoletto wows the crowds at London’s Serpentine Gallery this summer, his peer Mario Merz takes up residence at Leed’s Henry Moore Institute with 12 of his sculptures. Most of the works by Merz, who died in 2003, are from his heyday in the late 1960s and ’70s. The show also includes the inspiring film that Tacita Dean made of the Italian artist a year before his death.
‘Mario Merz: What Is To Be Done?’, Henry Moore Institute, 74 The Headrow, Leeds. Open daily, 10.00 – 17.30 (until 21.00 on Wednesdays). Until 30 October.
4. Film: US
-The Interruption
Winning best documentary at Miami Film Festival earlier this year, The Interrupters, directed by Steve James, tells the story of three interventionists who are charged with the responsibility of ridding their Chicago neighbourhoods of violence. Filmed over the course of one year, it’s a story of disenfranchisement – but ultimately also one of hope.
‘The Interrupters’ is now on limited release in the US.
5. Retail: Pietrasanta
-Monocle X ZOE Summer Shop
Should you be lucky enough to find yourself on the Italian coast over the next few weeks, be sure to drop by the Monocle Summer Shop that we have opened with menswear boutique ZOE. Coinciding with the launch of the Monocle Mediterraneo newspaper, the temporary open-air kiosk will stock a range of holiday kit, from T-shirts to towels. A handful of Monocle editors will be there this weekend, so join us for a welcoming tipple.
Monocle x ZOE Summer Shop, Via G Garibaldi, 44/46 Pietrasanta, Italy. Open Monday to Sunday, 10.00 – 13.00 and 18.00 – 00.00. Until 13 August.
