Home to the stunning museums, the edgy galleries of London and exciting cultural institutions… Europe plays a major role in the world of contemporary art, and – unsurprisingly – hosts countless art events throughout the year. In this guide to the best art and design events of 2014, we take a look at what’s on in Europe, from Richard Deacon Exhibition at Tate Britain to exhibitions in London, Amsterdam and Rome.
London, UK | Richard Deacon Exhibition at Tate Britain
5 February – 27 April
This spring, Tate Britain is putting on a one-of-a-kind show featuring Turner Prize winner Richard Deacon. Known for his spectacularly large and intriguing sculptures, Deacon is a master of all materials – and that is the focus of the Tate’s showing of his work. His engineering mind, combined with a profound and demonstrable interest in poetry and philosophy give an element of richness to his work, which has the ability to consistently surprise even the most seasoned of art lovers.
Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, United Kingdom, +44 20 7887 8888
Richard Deacon, Lock, Private collection, 1990 | Courtesy of Richard Deacon
Cologne, Germany | Art Cologne
10 – 13 April
Art Cologne is the world’s oldest art fair featuring modern and contemporary art. A range of global galleries and established, as well as emerging artists working in all sorts of mediums, will give visitors an excellent overview of what’s happening on the worldwide art scene. The fair was initially launched in 1967 by two Cologne-based gallerists, in the hopes of breathing new life into the West German art market. The fair is still going strong today, with reach that’s broader than ever and an important place in the international art market.
Art Cologne, Messeplatz 1, Cologne, Germany, +49 221 821-3998
Galerie Zak Branicka | Courtesy of Art Cologne
Amsterdam, The Netherlands | Art is Therapy
25 April – 7 September
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is renowned for its mesmerising exhibitions, but Art Is Therapy is something entirely new: this fascinating exhibition provides another look at the museum’s collections, as seen by British writers and philosophers Alain de Botton and John Armstrong. The pair want to question what the purpose of art is and highlight the therapeutic effect that art has on visitors. They make comments on about 150 pieces of art through the Rijksmuseum’s galleries, but they will also speak their minds on items in the café, cloakroom and other curious spots.
Rijksmuseum, Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, +31 20 674 7000
Art is Therapy, Alain de Botton | © Vincent Mentzel
Rome, Italy | Premio MAXXI at the Fondazione MAXXI
May – September
As part of the Premio MAXXI competition, Rome’s fabulous MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts will be showcasing site-specific works realised by the four MAXXI Prize finalists. The works, displayed within the Zaha Hadid-designed galleries, should be a startling addition to the space, providing new views for visitors and new backdrops for the works already on display. An international jury will select one piece at the end of the show, which will be acquired by the museum.
MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts, via Guido Reni, 4A, Rome, Italy, +39 06 320 1954
One the most awaited project at OFFF: The OFFF Barcelona 2014 Main Titles by Ash Thorp & Anthony Scott Burns, collaborators of modernised manga “Ghost in the Shell”. Creative Director Ash Thorp joined forces with musician and filmmaker Anthony Scott Burns,
together, they created a stunning short film revolving around a dream that they both shared and got evolved into a fascinating story.
“You should constantly challenge yourself and put yourself in adverse situations because you never know what you’ll fall in love with next.” – says Ash Thorp
OFFF Barcelona 2014 Main Titles presented a fascinating twist this year, enjoy them!
