The 7 Highlights of contemporary art in November. 2021 is very close to its end, but our cultural agendas are full of experiences and novelties.
In our recommendations we will find digital art created by Frédéric Penelle and Yannick Jacquet, exhibited in a 700m2 room, the opening of the Museo MoCo in Barcelona. On the other hand, the Loop Festival is presented in the city of Barcelona, full of video art, with national and international artists. The 7 Highlights of contemporary art in November. 2021 is very close to its end, but our cultural agendas are full of experiences and novelties… Meanwhile, the Cirque du Soleil is back again, offering spectacle and raising the history of Malta. Legacy never dies, and Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to celebrate 90 years of the Reverso watch, while the Design Museum pays tribute to the great artist Amy Winehouse and the opening of the Dubai World Expo. Let’s discover these 7 contemporary art highlights of November.
Mécaniques Discursives: Digital Art, Imagination and Reality
Digital innovations accompany us every day, and allow us to experience reality in a very different way. Años Luz: Mécaniques Discursives is one of the exhibitions we can enjoy in Gijón, at the LaBoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial. This project by the Belgian artists Frédéric Penelle and Yannick Jacquet versions a unique visual and sound meta-narrative, based on 15 animated projections at different scales.
The exhibition offers details at every step, so visitors can enjoy it in detail.
“This exhibition at LABoral is the biggest we have ever created. The first impression is a panoramic view of the installation and then little by little you get closer and discover the smaller things and the details, elements that you don’t detect at first glance. Considering the place and its almost cathedral-like dimensions, we wanted to create an atmosphere a bit out of time”.
As Jacquet explains, the sources of inspiration are diverse. The figurative part, made in xilography by Frédéric, takes inspiration from popular culture, tales, medieval iconography. This generates many possibilities of projection and creation of stories for the spectators, something that gives playfulness.
From left to right: Yannick Jacquet and Frédéric Penelle
Animated beings spread out on the floor and walls of the LaBoral Projects room, a gigantic 700m2 stage, connecting multiple narrative lines and luminous signs. In this way, the artists wished to convey the sensation of a past that is still present, and continues to cohabit with the echoes of the Gutenberg and Big Data era. Two eras that confront the antiquity of image reproductions with the most contemporary techniques of digital creation. Fred Penelle and Yannick Jacquet wanted to use the new digital mythologies to populate their work and question progress in networks. The conspirator troll, the tracking algorithm or the Russian hacker as the new “bad wolves”, who roam the networks feeding fantasies.
The Projects Room at LABoral, the largest space where the exhibitions have been held
Visitors are part of this imaginary world, being able to move freely through the space, touching and getting to know more than 500 years of history. The immersions are unique and very personal when we can become participants, an active part of the work and let ourselves be carried away; and they achieve this. This exhibition, which pays tribute to the absent artist Fred Penelle, has its own book launched by the publishing house CFC..
When:22 July 2021 to 23 January 2022
Where?: LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial, Los Prados, 121, Gijón, Asturias
Hours: Wednesday to Friday from 10.00h to 19.00h. Saturday from 12.00h to 19.00h
Tickets: You can buy the tickets here
Barcelona as a hub for modern and contemporary art
MoCo Museum, the Dutch contemporary art museum, open since 2016, has been a great success in Amsterdam. Thus, Barcelona has been chosen as the ideal place to start, from 16 October, an expansion of the centre. The city of Barcelona, rich in art, a perfect international meeting point for artists, captivates its visitors. This autumn, we have started it with the opening of a museum full of urban, modern and wide-ranging art.
The interior of MoCo combines paintings by different artists. In the background, a work by Basquiat, and Night of the stars twosa by Japanese artist Kusama.
The exhibitions presented there are very varied, always seeking to connect with each person, transmitting art, curiosity and the groundbreaking messages that each piece carries. The founders themselves believe in the power of the past, present and future, the inspiration of old, but great artists, who evoke a future full of beauty.
Among the works on display, we find figures such as Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Jean-Michael Basquiat and KAWS. Icons of art, who are still present and whose essence of their paintings unite lovers of painting. As for contemporary artists we find David LaChapelle, Takashi Murakami or Hayden Kays, inviting us to reflect on the world around us, to be aware of how we live, what we have or what we need. In this way, they all touch on subjects such as politics, which can do us so much harm, the environment, which is essential for living, or popular culture, our roots.
Forgive us our trespassing de Banksy
Inside the museum, Banksy also has his place. Little is known about him, but his art breaks many schemes, and reaches many parts of the world. MoCo wanted to pay tribute to him by exhibiting his works, certified authentic by Pest Control, as they are neither authorised by him nor curated. We can enjoy paintings such as Child with a Balloon, in which the artist criticises the situation of Syrian refugees. Continuous reflections on the society in which we live, everything that is imposed on us or how much we suffer because of the selfishness of many who believe they are superior to the people.
Esplendor de la Noche, first European solo exhibition of the Chilean artist Guillermo Lorca. Large-scale oil paintings mixing magic and realism.
Immersing oneself in digital art is something that is already being introduced on a daily basis, and the exhibition spaces of teamLab, Studio Irma and Les Fantomes offer an exploration of art with new technological advances. An immersive approach that creates a multi-sensory experience and enhances the visit.
Where: MoCo Museum Barcelona, Carrer de Montcada, 25, Barcelona
Hours: Monday to Thursday from 10.00h to 19.00h. Friday to Sunday from 10.00h to 20.00h.
Tickets: Puedes adquirir las entradas aquí
Jaeger-LeCoultre: the legacy of the iconic Reverso
Jaeger-LeCoultre is once again paying tribute to the 90th anniversary of the iconic Reverso watch with an immersive experience. The French brand is offering the Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931 exhibition, inviting visitors to delve into the history of the watch, with a unique and timeless expression of the Art Deco movement.
During the visit you can walk through four key points; starting with Reverso as an icon, going back to its origins and exhibiting archival documents for the first time. Continuing with the style and design adopted for the watch, marking its elegant lines and curves. To this end, several women’s and men’s models are presented, each created in a distinctive and unique way.
One of the sections of the Reverso exhibition, representing detail, elegance and minimalism.
Jaeger-LeCoultre commissioned a special piece from American artist Michael Murphy, Spacetime, a three-dimensional space in which visitors can immerse themselves in a deeper and more dynamic way. In the artist’s own words: “it explodes into a myriad of elements that tell the story of the Reverso Tribute Nonantième and its mechanical functioning” through the fragmentation of its components. Innovation and invention and craftsmanship are two other key points in the journey, paying homage to the unique identity of each craftsman who passed on his ideas by capturing them in his work.
From left to right: Actor and model Djebril Zonga, chef Nina Métayer, actor and film-maker Nicolas Maury
Before or after the exhibition you can also enjoy the Café 1931, pop up de la firma that opened in summer in Shanghai and has now moved to Paris. An elegant and cosy place offering delicate sweets created by chef Nina Métayer. All perfectly linked, reminiscent of the 1930s. To top it all off, you can also take part in the Atelier d’Antoine workshop, where a watchmaker and instructor interactively help you learn and get started in the world of watches.
When?: 21 October to 24 December
Where? : Jaeger-LeCoultre, 15 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11.00h to 18.00h
Tickets: You can buy the tickets here
Loop Barcelona: the essence of video art
The video art festival and fair, Loop Barcelona, returns, like every year, in November to Barcelona. This new edition aims to continue offering a perfect meeting point for art lovers, and for the community that enjoys the moving image;
11/18 by the artist Melanie Manchot follows the evolution of a girl from the age of 11 to 18. It explores identity and the passage of time in people.
Different locations in Barcelona will host the creations, reproducing works by artists from all over the world. This year, the main theme of the festival will be based on “the body,” with its dual meaning. On one hand, as the organic system of a living being, and on the other hand, as a “cultural, political, and economic association between people.” The distance we have had to adopt over the past year and a half has been globalized, something unusual for us as social beings, and the festival aims to highlight this.
Every Rupture, of Sasha Litvintseva. A colony of birds unconsciously destroys the forest even though it is their home.
Loop Barcelona 2021 will feature various collaborations of international collections with institutions such as Casa Vicens, MACBA and the National Museum of Catalonia. In addition, the genius of artists living in Barcelona will also be highlighted, and places such as the Picasso Museum, the Real Circulo Artístico or La Capella will give them a voice.
As for the fair, this year it will be hosted in Gaudí’s mythical Casa Milà, a modernist building ideal for representing the latest contributions, in a dynamic way, to the creation of images. Visitors will be able to enjoy the participation of 27 galleries and international artists. All selected by an international committee chaired by Jean-Conrad Lemaitre, and accompanied by Isabelle Lemaitre, Haro Cumbusyan, Josée and Marc Gensollen and Renée Drake.
De Kroon by Kymani Ceder. Racism remains prevalent in the 21st century, and Ceder aims to connect the present and past of Afro-Dutch people, focusing primarily on hairstyles.
The exhibitions will feature installations and single-channel projections, exhibiting multiple works that will give voice to the advances and works made, but will also give knowledge to those who are going to see them. The latter is something very valuable, because the connection between the artist and the visitors must be something reciprocal, where everyone receives new knowledge, good criticisms, and in this way, to be able to advance to more;
Advancing alongside new technologies, if it is not possible to visit the fair in person, it will be possible to access it virtually. From 16 to 26 November, all the videos can be seen in streaming on a new platform conceived by Hyperstudio, thus offering an immersive experience. In addition, this 2021 edition will be completed with a special section, curated by Rose Lejeune, where the limits between video and performance will be explored in detail. And where they will echo on the body, the main theme developed in the festival’s programme.
When: Loop Festival from 9 to 21 November. Loop Fair: From 16 to 18 November.
Where: Feria Loop: La Pedrera-Casa Milà, Passeig de Gràcia, 92, Barcelona
Cirque du Soleil: the history of Malta in a show.
After many months of hiatus, the Cirque du Soleil is back on stage transmitting its magic and essence. It will be hosted by the island of Malta, a destination with a wealth of events, which, with Cirque du Soleil, aims to represent the island’s history. Fieri is the show created exclusively to represent the Maltese, and will be performed live at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Cirque du Soleil show in 2019
“We are delighted to return to Malta, a country steeped in history, to pay tribute to this resilient nation and its people,” he commented. In our absurd world, the power of Cirque du Soleil to bring joy and hope to our audiences is not only welcome, but necessary – Diane Quinn, COO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.
For the second year, following its opening in 2019, the company is excited to present a new show inspired entirely by the roots and origins of Malta. A story full of cultural diversity that unites from the heart of the Mediterranean. The show continues to convey its very essence; acrobatics, visual artistry and a very modern vision, showcasing a brilliant and contemporary mosaic. 7,000 years of history of an archipelago that shines on its own condensed into 75 minutes.
The company is a leader in circus entertainment, offering beauty and artistry in a distinctive way.
The Minister of Tourism and Consumer Protection of Malta, Clayton Bartolo, recognises that being able to offer this quality of entertainment enhances and promotes culture in a unique and highly entertaining way. In addition, the island is very worthwhile, every corner has its charm, many films or series such as Troya or Game of Thrones were filmed there, and Cirque du Soleil wants to transmit the beauty of the country.
When:25 November to 19 December
Where: Mediterranean Conference Centre ,Triq l-Isptar, Il-Belt Valletta, 1645, Malta
Tickets: You can buy the tickets here
Amy Winehouse: The Person Behind the Legend
Ten years after the departure of the artist Amy Winehouse, her legacy and memory is still very much with us. At the end of November, Design Museum in London, in collaboration with The Estate of Amy Winehouse, will exhibit Amy: Beyond the Stage. With it, they want to pay tribute to the singer, a musical and cultural icon who left too young, but who continues to be an inspiration to many. This year, on the occasion of Amy’s birthday celebration and exhibition, a hand-painted mural was created on Candem High Street.
The collection on display will take visitors on a journey through Amy’s history and her beginnings, discovering through her teenage recordings and notebooks how she creatively processed her lyrics. Highly personal items that have never been exhibited before, such as photographs and writings in her own handwriting or her very characteristic outfits and fashion accessories. Her blue Daphne Fender Stratocaster guitar will also be included.
Cover of Amy Winehouse: Beyond Black de la editorial Thames&Hudson
In addition, little by little we will also discover the artists who influenced her, from Dinah Washington to Mark Ronson, 60s pop or jazz. His connection with the world of fashion will also be remembered, with brands such as the Italian Moschino and D&G. In fact, in relation to Winehouse’s clothes, on 6 and 7 November in Los Angeles there will be an auction of more than 800 garments by the artist.
The interior has very personal photographs and stories, which visitors can see in the exhibition.
Alongside the adult ticket, the Design Museum offers a package which includes the book Amy Winehouse: Beyond Black. A new publication from Thames&Hudson, launched in September, which explains the life and career of the English artist. What is exhibited on paper will be seen in physical form by visitors from 26 November. All of this is connected to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, who, in Amy’s name, donate all their profits to help those with emotional, self-esteem or addiction problems.
When: November 26th
Where: Kensington High St, 224-238 , London, United Kingdom
Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 10.00h to 18.00h. Friday and Saturday from 10.00h to 21.00h.
Tickets: You can buy the tickets here
Dubai and the first universal exhibition in the Middle East
Art, like life itself, must be shared, and universal exhibitions are a very good option for doing so. This year, Dubai has been chosen for this event. On 1 October, the city of the Arab Emirates opened the first universal exhibition on Middle Eastern soil. In just a few years, it has risen with elegance, known for its luxurious visits and modern architecture. Thus, to host the event in the best way, they have been working for years to provide visitors with the best experience.
During the months of the fair, 190 countries are welcomed, each with its own pavilion to exhibit and showcase all the advances and novelties of each region. A very fascinating and enriching experience, as you can have the opportunity to enjoy little-known cultures. The exhibition is divided into three significant districts; the sustainability zone, where they want to transmit that the union between people can make us conserve the Earth. The mobility district, reflecting on the connections that unite us, and the opportunity district, expressing that every detail of ourselves can be of great help to others. As human beings we can do great thingss, and it is important to focus on the good, on empathy and improvement.
Each country has been separated by these three zones, Spain is within Sustainability, and within each pavilion we find thousands of activities, exhibitions or workshops. Technology and innovation overflows; many changes are being made quickly, and that makes us create new elements for health or artificial intelligence. As for art, the Al Wasl Opera offers a whole universe of creativity and imagination. Learn a little more about the history and ancient Arab tradition, contemporary art sculptures, or, in the Jamaica pavilion, they showcase reggae and the music that accompanies them on the island.
When?:From 1 October to 31 March 2022
Where?:Dubai, UAE
Hours: Saturday to Wednesday from 10.00h to 00.00h. Thursday and Friday from 10.00h to 02.00h.
Tickets: You can buy the tickets here
Images courtesy of LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial, Universal Exposition Dubai, MoCo Museum ,Jaeger-LeCoultre, Loop Barcelona, Cirque du Soleil and Design Museum
