Here’s my pick of three things to do this week in London. It may be Halloween, but I have three fab, non-ghoulish events for you. First up, two exhibitions, one focusing on the nude and the other on pets, and secondly a new cinema experience in Shoreditch (hint: pillow).
ps. I’ve already carved my pumpkin, but if you fancy checking out some more artistically inspired designs, check out the pumpkins at Granary Square in King’s Cross. You can even take one home with you, or try your hand at some Halloween-inspired recipes from nearby restaurants including Benugo and The Grain Store, to name a few.
STOP
What: Egon Schiele: The Radical Nude
Where: The Courtauld Gallery, London
When: Until January 18
This exhibition of Egon Schiele, a central figure of Austrian Expressionism, brings together a group of the artist’s nudes assembled from a variety of international public and private collections (none of his major drawings are held in a UK public collection). They chart his short but prolific career (he died at the age of just 28) plus it’s also the first Schiele exhibition London has had in 25 years, so a must visit in my book. Image: Egon Schiele (1890-1918) Standing Nude with Stockings, 1914, copyright The Courtauld Gallery
LOOK
What: Alice Neel: My Animals and Other Family
Where: Victoria Miro, London
When: Until December 19
This small exhibition features, as the name suggests, a group of paintings and drawings in which Alice Neel captures the character and spirit of people and of animals. Within the domestic habitat of her family, animals—especially cats and dogs—were a part of her daily life. As a result, over the course of her career from the 1930s until her death in 1984, there are fascinating examples of works that include or focus on particular animals. Hartley with a Cat, shown above, is one of my favourites, there’s something about the vivid blue of his striped t-shirt and the way they are staring intently at the viewer. All images courtesy Victoria Miro.
LISTEN
What: Pillow Cinema
Where: Shoreditch, London
When: Various dates
The guys behind hot tub cinema are launching a new venture, also in Shoreditch, called Pillow Cinema. All you have to do is bring along a pillow. They’re calling it the cosiest ‘night in’ night out. I’ve so far spied Amelie, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel and 500 Days of Summer, to book tickets click here.
What are you doing this weekend?
