This February we take a look at some of the most outstanding exhibitions of the moment.
We travel from the Parisian obsession with pearls to the mysticism of universal symbols. Each of the six cultural novelties invites us to rediscover the creativity and cultural legacy that transforms over the years.
The magic of Versace through 500 iconic pieces
The Unicaja Foundation Cultural Centre in Malaga pays tribute to the iconic Italian designer with an exhibition in our country: Gianni Versace. Retrospective. The exhibition brings together more than 500 original pieces that reflect the genius of the designer who redefined the concept of fashion in the 20th century. From his beginnings growing up in southern Italy to his stays in Milan and New York, the exhibition offers us an intimate journey through the key moments that shaped his career. Each space of the tour immerses us in his universe, highlighting his iconic designs, stories and experiences that marked his legacy.
Four of the garments that form part of the exhibition dedicated to Gianni Versace. Editorial credit: Paula Caballero.
Among iconic looks, original sketches and unique prototypes, we discover Versace’s ingenuity and his ability to blend tradition with modernity. Previously unpublished photographs of backstage and runway shows provide a close-up perspective of the designer, while the recreation of his atelier takes us into the heart of his creative process. The exhibition celebrates the essence of the 1990s, a time when Versace revolutionised fashion and turned it into an artistic spectacle.
When? From 7 February 2025.
Where? Plaza del Obispo, 6, Malaga, Spain.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10.00h to 14.00h and from 16.00am to 19.00pm. Saturday from 10.00h to 14.00h. Sunday closed.
The gaze of Lee Miller through 125 photographs
Antony Penrose, son of the photographer Lee Miller, found in the attic unpublished documents and images that revealed her unknown side after her death. Now, these pieces are part of the exhibition Lee Miller: War Chronicles, which is presented at FotoNostrum. The exhibition brings together 124 photographs that cover the most iconic moments of his career, with a special emphasis on his time as a war correspondent during the Second World War. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the impact of his work on documentary photography and contemporary history.
Antony Penrose, son of Lee Miller, next to a photograph of his mother in Normandy in 1944. Editorial credit: Valeryia Pankova & Paul Horia Tamas.
Lee Miller was a multifaceted woman who captured with her camera both the splendour of art and the horror of human conflict. In her work as a correspondent, she captured scenes from the liberation of Paris, the concentration camps of Buchenwald and Dachau, and the war-torn cities of Europe. His harrowing images not only document history, but also reflect his artistic sensibility, forged in the surrealist movement. Moreover, this exhibition connects his legacy with the upcoming release of the film Lee Miller, starring Kate Winslet, which will be on view from 7 March in Spain. The film delves into the personal and professional challenges of a woman ahead of her time, but who lived marked by the psychological trauma of the horrors she witnessed.
When? From 17 January to 20 March 2025.
Where? Calle Diputació, 48, Barcelona.
Opening hours: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 11.00h to 19.00h. Friday and Saturday from 11.00am to 21.00pm. Monday and Tuesday closed.
Tickets: You can buy your ticket here
The Palau Martorell celebrates the monumental legacy of Fernando Botero
The Palau Martorell in Barcelona returns to cultural novelties with the largest exhibition ever held in Spain on Fernando Botero. With more than 110 pieces, including paintings, sculptures and unpublished drawings, the exhibition reveals the richness and diversity of his artistic language. Through Boteroism, the Colombian artist left an indelible mark with his voluminous figures and vibrant use of colour. The exhibition, which covers six decades of his career, offers a unique insight into his work, curated by his daughter Lina Botero and the expert Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz.
One of Botero’s most iconic works, The Bather. Editorial credit: Private collection.
The tour also highlights the artist’s connection with Spain and Italy, two countries that influenced his work. Two exceptional works, Las Meninas and Homage to Mantegna, are presented for the first time in Spain, enriching the exhibition with new perspectives. In addition, his series on classical themes such as religion, mythology and still life, which continue to captivate generations of admirers, can be admired.
When? From 14 February to 20 July 2025.
Where? Carrer Ample, 11, Barcelona
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Tickets: You can buy your ticket here
Yayoi Kusama’s Infinite Mirror Play
The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne is hosting an exhibition celebrating the monumental work of Yayoi Kusama, spanning more than eight decades of her artistic career. Featuring 200 pieces, some never before seen in Australia, the show delves into her surreal world, and explores her mastery of painting, sculpture and fashion. Among the gems of the exhibition is the world premiere of his latest creation, Infinity Mirrored Room: My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light, a mirrored work that transports us to an infinite space. It also includes the Australian debut of his sculpture Dancing Pumpkin, a giant pumpkin that invites visitors to walk under its shadow.
Interior views of the Yayoi Kusama exhibition installation. Editorial credit: Sean Fennessy.
The exhibition also offers a look at Kusama’s early work, revealing her beginnings in Japan and her arrival in New York, where she made a mark on avant-garde art. With a mix of nostalgia and modernity, the exhibition presents her famous Infinity Nets, and her installations of mirrored rooms. The final room focuses on his best-known iconography: pumpkins and dots, which have been the hallmark of his visual style.
When? 15 December 2024 to 21 April 2025.
Where? 180 St Kilda, Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10.00am to 5.00pm.
Tickets: You can buy your ticket here
Loewe’s living history travels to Japan
Loewe celebrates almost two centuries of craftsmanship and creativity with Crafted World, its first major exhibition coming to Tokyo next March. The exhibition pays tribute to its Spanish heritage and dedication to craftsmanship, which has defined the essence of the house since its founding. Designed in collaboration with OMA, the exhibition transforms the Harajuku district into a space where visitors will travel from the vibrant landscapes of Spain to the most prestigious catwalks of Paris.
Handmade beaded bag by Loewe, part of the FW24 collection. Editorial credit: Loewe Art Collection.
In addition to the designs, Crafted World highlights the cultural dialogue between Loewe and Japan, where the brand opened its first space outside Europe in 1973. The exhibition includes collaborations with artists such as Studio Ghibli and the Suna Fujita studio, along with works by Loewe Craft Prize winners such as Genta Ishizuka. It also features reproductions, such as images of the Ōnishi family’s ceremonial teapots, which reflect Loewe’s commitment to the preservation of ancestral traditions.
When? 29 February to 11 May 2025.
Where? 6-35-6 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Tickets: Free admission.
From the Orient to Paris: The Pearl’s Luxury Journey
The exhibition Paris, Capital of the Pearl takes visitors on a journey that unites history, art and trade, revealing how pearls from the Arabian Gulf conquered Paris from the late 19th century to the 1930s. With more than a hundred pieces from private collections, the exhibition illustrates the transformation of the pearl from a simple biomineral to a symbol of luxury. Among the pieces on display are jewellery that adorned the elites of the Belle Époque, as well as historical documents detailing the trade between the Orient and France.
The interior of one of the sections of the exhibition. Editorial credit: Dylan Dubois.
With a sensory approach, the exhibition on display at L’École des Arts Joailliers invites the senses to explore the magic of pearls, from the light reflecting off rings and necklaces to the echoes of the ‘pearl mania’ that swept Paris in the 1920s. The exhibition’s six sections trace the history of the pearl as a cultural icon, from its early days as an exotic treasure to its inclusion in fashion and contemporary art.
When? From 21 November 2024 to 1 June 2025.
Where? 16 bis boulevard Montmartre, Paris, France.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11.00am to 7.00pm. Thursdays until 9pm.
Tickets: Free admission.
