This weekend check out the art fair in Tokyo, catch an exhibition asking big questions in Monaco and lighten up with the new album from La Sera.
1 DESIGN: LONDON
—British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age
From Saturday, the V&A will be showcasing 300 objects from the best of British design including art by David Hockney, fashion from Alexander McQueen and even the first E-Type Jaguar. One of the highlights of the exhibition is the chair embellished with a unique handmade crayon print by David David. Originally commissioned by Phillips De Pury & Company and displayed in the Saatchi Gallery’s retail department, David David’s bold geometric shapes highlight the best of British.
Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road. Open daily, 10.00-17.45. Until 12 August
vam.ac.uk
2 ART: TOKYO
—Art Fair Tokyo 2012
This weekend sees the seventh edition of Tokyo’s art fair that exhibits works by over 160 international and Japanese galleries. The Tokyo-based event is considered a meeting point between art and culture, featuring artworks from a range of genres from antiques and traditional Japanese crafts to modern art by emerging artists. New this year is the “Discover Asia” section, featuring major Asian galleries from Seoul, Taipei, and Beijing.
Tokyo International Forum, B2F Exhibition Hall, 5-1 Marunouchi 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku. Open Saturday, 11.00-20.00 and Sunday 10.30-17.00
artfairtokyo.com
3 EXHIBITION: MONACO
—LE SILENCE Une fiction
This weekend, make the trek up the hill and visit Nouveau Musée National de Monaco for the last chance to see LE SILENCE Une Fiction, an exhibition curated by Simone Menegoi and Cristiano Raimondi showcasing 25 different artists from around the world. The main theme: an exposition of objects found after a hypothetical destruction of modern civilisation. If you’re slightly depressed by being confronted by interpretations of your own mortality by photographs from Hiroshi Sugimoto or Rudolf Polanszky’s installations, be sure to cheer up on the museum’s veranda and enjoy the sunset over Monte Carlo’s coastline.
56 boulevard du Jardin Exotique. Open daily, 10.00 – 18.00. Until 3 April
nmnm.mc
4 FILM: UK
—This is Not a Film
In 2008, renowned Iranian director Jafar Panahi was banned from making films for 20 years after being arrested for openly supporting the opposition government. Secretly shot on an iPhone, This is Not a Film documents Panahi’s life under house arrest as he appeals against his six year jail sentence. The film was smuggled to the Cannes film festival in a cake, where it received praise for turning censorship into art.
This is Not a Film is now showing at selected cinemas in the UK
5 MUSIC: GLOBAL
—La Sera: Sees The Light
La Sera is Katy Goodman, better known as the bass player from Phil Spector-indebted Brooklyn garage punk trio Vivian Girls. From scuzzy, dirgey beginnings a few years ago, that band is now evolving into a more rounded affair spreading into folk and organically wobbly shades of classic rock. And like her main band, La Sera’s sophomore effort is cleaning up rough edges, but with more of an emphasis on power pop and chugging riffage. It’s not quite chart gold yet, but Sees The Light shines brighter on each listen.
“Sees The Light” is out now
