What to do in London this weekend: Victoria & Albert museum's grand re-opening, Mayfair Art Weekend and a feast of Giacometti
FESTIVAL AT THE V&A
The much-anticipated Victoria & Albert Museum extension in South Kensington, the Exhibition Road Quarter, opens this weekend with a one-off festival to celebrate.
Music will be streamed live via the museum website on Friday night, followed by a street party on Saturday, when Exhibition Road will be closed to traffic. Check out Tomás Saraceno’s “plastic bag” floating sculpture, left, weather permitting as it is activated by the heat of the sun. Visitors are encouraged to bring a plastic bag to add to the artwork. With a new entrance, courtyard, café, and gallery, all designed by award-winning Amanda Levete Architects, the V&A is redefining itself for the 21st century (vam.ac.uk).
LONDON’S MAD FOR GIACOMETTI
Tate Modern’s Alberto Giacometti exhibition, featuring the Swiss artist’s distinctive elongated figures is undoubtedly the must-have ticket this summer. But there are two more current Giacometti shows in London, as well as a soon-to-be released biopic.
We recommend you take in A Tribute to AG at Thomas Gibson Fine Art Gallery in St James’s (thomasgibsonfineart.com). Gibson, a foremost advocate, has been exhibiting Giacometti’s work since 1971.
Another take on Giacometti’s work comes from photographer Peter Lindbergh, whose pictures of the late artist’s sculptures at Gagosian gallery in Britannia Street, King’s Cross, alongside some of the works themselves, provide a fresh new perspective (gagosian.com).
Final Portrait, a film starring Geoffrey Rush as Giacometti, opens next month. Directed by the actor Stanley Tucci, the film explores the exasperating and often exhilarating challenge of being — and becoming — a truly great artist, and is a must-see for any art lover.
MASTERPIECE LONDON ART FAIR
In the gorgeous grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the annual Masterpiece London art fair, running until July 5, is a highlight of the London summer social calendar.
Prices range from £750 to £4 million, covering everything from porcelain to furniture, paintings and jewellery. See Christopher Le Brun’s Union Horse with Two Discs, above, in the sculpture park, while interior designer Ben Pentreath, a favourite with the Duchess of Cambridge, will moderate a talk on architecture and decor. Register first for free talks (masterpiecefair.com).
MAYFAIR ART WEEKEND
From this Friday to Sunday, it’s Mayfair Art Weekend, when more than 60 galleries offer a selection of talks, views and guided tours. If you can, take in the tour of White Cube in Mason’s Yard, St James’s SW1, and then do a little fashion viewing at designer Duro Olowu’s neighbouring new shop (duroolowu.com) in his first West End location.
In addition to his brightly coloured textiles, Olowu will be offering vintage jewellery and ceramics for sale.
Other highlights of the weekend include leading art dealer Anthony Brown’s talk on Saturday, as well as a viewing of Thaddaeus Ropac’s new gallery in Dover Street once the site of both the American Red Cross and the women’s suffrage movement. For more, visit mayfairartweekend.com