"We’re already halfway through 2019?"

It’s the question prevailing the lips of the London alliance this July – prompting reflection on what we want the rest of this year to hold. 

And when it comes to reflection, what better way to do so than kindling inspiration via London's cultural calendar? Much like a Mr Whippy and a 99 Flake, a robust line-up of stellar exhibitions is 
synonymous with English summers – and with shows from Connolly England and the Lisson Gallery incoming, this summer doesn't disappoint. Elsewhere, with an orchestral performance at the Bold Tendencies Car Park and the welcomed return of the COS x Serpentine Nights, July really is the month to conjure up some creative thinking.

Afterimage: Dangdai Yishu

Curated by professor and painter, Victor Wang, the Lisson’s Gallery summer exhibit explores the Chinese phrase for ‘contemporary art’ with Dangdai Uishu. Bringing together a selection of Chinese artist (many of which haven’t been shown in the UK before), their works present Dangdai Yishu as a discursive term, rather than a geographical definition. With a selection of art ranging from Aajiao, Yu Hong and Zhao Zhao (to name but a few), expect a range of works ranging from politically-charged self-portraits, DIY wall coverings and video portraits.

Afterimage: Dangdai Yishu runs from 3 July until 7 September 2019 at Lisson Gallery, 67 Lisson Street & 27 Bell Street, London. Main image credit Afterimage: Dangdai Yishu.


Image courtesy of Connolly England.

The Art of Daily Life
Mayfair institution, Connolly England, is a bastion of British style – known best of their impeccable leather goods and wardrobe staples. Now, we see the brand turn their eye for craftsmanship to the art world with an exhibition centred around everyday household goods from Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Held at their flagship store,The Art of Daily Life – curated by collectors Alan Marcussen and Diane Hall – celebrates the artisanal craftsmanship found in everyday household goods, with the focus on the symbolism rather than aesthetic in each of the pieces. A curated collection of traditional furnishings made from wood, clay, gourds and fibre by Marcussen and Hall (who have previously sold collectables to the V&A), consider this an anthropology lesson in homeware. 

The Art of Daily Life runs at 4 Clifford St, Mayfair, London W1S 2LG.


Image via Boldtendencies.com.

Bold Tendencies: The Multi-Story Orchestra
Known by many for Frank’s Cafe, since 2007 Bold Tendencies at Peckham Multi-Storey Car Park has been the go-to destination when the sun makes an appearance.

Maybe little less known is that the notorious rooftop drinking hub is also home to an abundance of different art installations. This summer demands the return of their residents, The Multi-Story Orchestra, to put on a head-turning performance of classical opera. On the 20th July, composer Kate Whitley will be directing the group of musicians as they perform Rameau’s Les Boreades and William Byrd’s The Bells. See you there for the musical extravaganza!

Bold Tendencies: The Multi-Story Orchestra runs on 20th July 2019 at 7.00pm at Bold Tendencies, 7th-10th Floors Multi-Storey Car Park, 95a Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST.


Image credit: Precious Okoyomon, A Drop of Sun Under The Earth, 2019 by Luma Westbau.

COS x Serpentine Park Nights
Featuring eight new works from international specialists in the fields of culture, COS x Serpentine Gallery return to your July Agenda. Kicking off the talks is artist and writer, Precious Okoyomon, whose combination of poetry and performance delves into the racialisation of light, darkness and the sun. Meanwhile, other favourites on our list include mixed realities artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen, whose previously bridged digital and physical worlds through VR ecosystems and composer, Klein, whose collages of her own vocal recordings has seen her rise as one of the UK's most interesting producers. 

To itch the fashion craving that's missing in the July COS x Serpentine schedule, Kiko Kostadinov climbs the soapbox along with Instagram sensation, Vanilla Jellaba. This event marks the first public appearance of the anonymous Jellaba, and with Kostadinov at their side (the pair worked together when Jellaba had "took over" the Kiko Kostadinov AW18 collection), we'll be sitting front row to see how the night unfolds.

COS x Serpentine Park Nights runs until 27 September at Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XA.



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