PHOTOGRAPHY: LONDON
Prix Pictet
Looking for a thought-provoking exhibition in London? Step into the V&A for the 10th annual Prix Pictet photography competition and show that features 70 works by 11 photographers from around the world. Each series on display explores the theme of consumption in its various forms – from portraits of a young Bosnian refugee by Dutch photographer Rineke Dijkstra to the creative collage “My Things” by Hong Hao from Beijing. This year’s winner, Michael Schmidt, whose series Lebensmittel documents the global food industry, was announced on Wednesday by honorary president of Prix Pictet, Kofi Annan.
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road. Open Saturday to Thursday, 10.00-17.45; Fridays 10.00-22.00. Until 14 June
vam.ac.uk/
PAINTINGS: TORONTO
The Alliance: Unity Makes Strength
The Alliance: Unity Makes Strength brings together 12 artists from competitive cultural hubs Montréal and Toronto to create a selection of original works for the latter’s Spazio Dell’Arte gallery. The exhibit’s organiser, Montréal-based curator and illustrator Fred Caron’s contribution is an acrylic-on-canvas piece called “Building Foundations”. It depicts a pair of hands reaching out to grab three expressionless nuns – a critique on Quebec’s proposed (and failed) Charter of Values that sought to limit religious expression. From Toronto, graphic artist Peru Dyer Jalea takes a more holistic look at disorder in society through his bold, angular piece “Chaos String Theory”. If you can’t make the show, fear not, the works will soon be adorning labels on the bottles of Toronto-based craft-beer company, Collective Arts Brewing.
Spazio Dell’Arte gallery, Suite #201, 400 Eastern Avenue. Open Saturday 09.00-17.00; Sunday 09.00-12.00. Until 25 May.
spaziodellarte.comcollectiveartsbrewing.com
ART FAIR: BUENOS AIRES
arteBA
Eighty-one art galleries from Latin America and beyond are displaying works at arteBA – Buenos Aires’ leading contemporary art fair – which sees 100,000 visitors attend every year. Occupying the Palermo neighbourhood’s La Rural exhibition centre, the 23rd edition showcases the works of over 500 local and international creatives such as Peruvian mixed-media artist Elena Damiani. Her silk print, “Crystal: no1” combines a sense of both natural and mechanical forms by framing a serene vista of snowcapped mountains within the clean lines of a perfect triangle. For those who take their art a little more brash (with a knowing nod to what the whole event might really be all about), arteBA will also be waving a “Warning Flag” by Brazilian artist Lourival Cuquinha – made entirely from dollar bills.
arteBA, La Rural, Avenida Sarmiento 2704. Open Friday to Sunday, 14.00-21.00. Until May 26.
arteba.org
PHOTOGRAPHY: CASABLANCA
New Africa
Group photo exhibition New Africa opens this weekend in Casablanca to showcase the works of 11 photographers from Africa and the Middle East. Housed in the new, first-time art space La Villa, the show is curated by Yasmina Naji, founder of local art venue Kulte Gallery & Editions. Don’t miss Tanya Traboulsi’s photography series Seules, in which the Austrian-born Lebanese photographer has taken self portraits of herself and her mirror image at five points during the day – alone yet not alone – exploring the concept of identity through introspection and solitariness. Also on show are shots by photographers such as Grace Ndiritu from Kenya, Senegal-based Laeila Adjovi and Dakar’s Omar Victor Diop.
La Villa, 7 rue des Tilleuls. Open Monday to Saturday, 10.00-19.00. Until 28 June.
tanyatraboulsi.com
MUSIC: GLOBAL
Yann Tiersen: Infinity
French pop musician and film-score auteur Yann Tiersen found a global audience after his music was used to soundtrack iconic cinema classic, Amelie, in 2001. Ever since, the composer (if he’ll allow us to call him that) has been releasing beautifully well-considered filmic releases that mix soaring soundscapes with accessible pop songs and an always playful disregard for format and convention. His latest release, Infintity, was initially inspired by Iceland and features songs sung in that language as well as contributions from singers found in Tiersen’s native stomping ground, Brittany. The album’s effortless mix of influences and styles means you’ll finish it wondering where Tiersen might possibly go next. What’s after Infinity? Only the imagination can answer that.
‘Infinity’ is available to buy now.
yanntiersenoffice.tumblr.com
