#contemporary-art

#contemporary-art

When a virulent material enters an ecosystem, it can wreak havoc on existing life. Bittersweet vines in Upstate New York, for example, were brought to the region in the second half of the 19th century to combat erosion and for their sinuous, woody beauty. Native to eastern Asia, these largely poisonous plants quickly became invasive, smothering other specimens and even uprooting trees.

Even though apartheid ended in the 1990s, "the residue of 300 years of exploitation and oppression is still very much with us," Kentridge told DW in 2016 of an era that remains a key theme in his work. The "Listen to the Echo" exhibition traces William Kentridge's artistic development from the late 1970s when deep racial divisions persisted in his homeland. In addition to drawings and films from the renowned "Drawings for Projection" that explored the social and political undercurrents of life in apartheid South Africa, the show includes prints, sculptures, tapestries, and multi-channel film installations.

Renzo Piano Building Workshop, in collaboration with Betaplan Architects (Athens) and landscape architect Camille Muller (Paris), has revealed the first images of a new cultural center under development in Piraeus, the port of Athens. Commissioned by The Dinos and Lia Martinos Foundation (DLMF), the project seeks to establish an international hub connected to similar art centers abroad, open to the local community, students, and visitors, and contributing to the urban and cultural fabric of the Athens metropolitan area.

The Gunton Arms is not your average country pub however. Rather than being in the heart of cute little village, it's tucked inside the 1,000-acre grounds of Gunton Park, surrounded by wide open fields and lots and lots of deer. It's run by art dealer Ivor Braka, and his eclectic collection is scattered throughout the pub and bedrooms - think Tracey Emin in the dining room, Damien Hirst in the bar - making it as much gallery as gastropub.

Berlin, September 2025 - Mark your calendars for an unmissable event during Berlin Art Week: MATERIAL, a revolutionary hybrid exhibition, is set to debut at the iconic Alhambra Berlin, located at Kurfürstendamm 68. Curated by the visionary Julian Daynov and created in collaboration with artist Peter-Maximilian Ronsdorf and 3D stage designer Finn Dudek, this exhibition will not only redefine your understanding of art but will also bridge the gap between physical and digital spaces.

Continuing the Biennial's approach of engaging directly with Istanbul through a dispersed model rather than a fixed venue, this edition will use eight sites located within walking distance along the Beyoğlu- Karaköy axis. Over this period, works by 47 artists from more than 30 countries will be presented to the public, accompanied by a program of performances, screenings, and live events during the opening week.

Naomi Beckwith, the artistic director of documenta 16, has unveiled her creative team for the next edition of the contemporary art exhibition, which will take place in 2027 (12 June-19 September). This marks the first time that the influential show, which is held in the German city of Kassel every five years, will be led by an all-female team. Beckwith, the deputy director and chief curator of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, was announced as the curator of the 16th edition of Documenta in December last year.

The exhibition features a selection of recent paintings and a wall drawing that explore the tension between bodies and their surrounding spaces during uncertain times.

García Sánchez's artistic inspiration stems from childhood memories of feeling bored at the beach, leading to inventive ways to escape boredom during summer days.

Amanda Ba's paintings feature monumental nude figures in uncanny interiors that blend elements of realism and fantasy. They explore desire, sexuality, and other complex themes.

IMMATERIAL 0001 draws inspiration from the incremental skeletons found in traditional boat-building, connecting the past to a vision of the future.

"We kept hope - probably in a sort of irrational way - that we could turn the corner. Turns out, there's no corner," Babin says.

Kissick's concept established an approachable environment for artistic discourse that prioritized social interaction over structured content delivery, creating an inclusive space for spontaneous conversations.

The iconic institution, long recognized as one of the leading spaces for contemporary art by artists of African descent, will debut its brand-new 82,000-square-foot building.

The Georg Kolbe Museum offers a serene refuge featuring a variety of sculptures and the significant 'Dancers' Fountain,' symbolizing elegance and burden within its design.

The Felipe Pantone CDM30 Round Inflatable Pool Lounger merges contemporary street art with poolside comfort, turning any space into a vibrant gallery while providing relaxation.

Davide Bugarin and Angel Cohn Castle, known as Bugarin + Castle, will represent Scotland at the Venice Biennale with a work focusing on complex emotional legacies.

Paco Pomet's rise to international recognition was catalyzed by controversies such as his gallery's expulsion from ARCO, highlighting challenges in the art world.

Rachel Hayes transforms architectural spaces and natural landscapes into shifting compositions of color and movement with large-scale textile-based installations that are site-specific and vibrant.

Lynette Yiadom-Boakye's exhibition, To Improvise A Mountain, invites audiences on a personal journey through art, merging her work with various historical and contemporary artists.

The paintings in Be Your Own Cool are contemplative offerings that nurture the individuality of each subject while evoking a sense of intimacy.

Daniela García Hamilton's hybrid canvases showcase vibrant traditions and immigrant experiences through portraits of family, utilizing colour, pattern, embroidery, and oil painting.

Ashley Holland, the curator and director of curatorial initiatives at Art Bridges, emphasized the importance of Indigenous perspectives in American art collections, stating, "Indigenous perspectives are foundational to any American art collection. We are honoured to continue our deep support of Indigenous art with this acquisition and look forward to sharing these works with audiences around the country through our loan programme."

The Jelly Mirror collection fuses retro aesthetics with contemporary materials, taking cues from whimsical jelly molds of the 1960s to create functional, joyful designs.