As Frieze London and Frieze Masters open their doors to art enthusiasts, the question looms: has London’s status in the art world weakened compared to the rising influence of Art Basel Paris? With the UK’s art market cooling, reflected in several galleries closing down, some argue that London’s dominance in art sales is slipping. But cultural institutions like Frieze remain unfazed by the competition across the Channel. Eva Langret, Frieze London’s artists director, believes the two cities can coexist, stating, “there’s space for the two cities to be great together.”
For those needing a break from the Frieze frenzy, there are plenty of standout exhibitions in London to explore this week. Despite concerns about the art market, the city continues to be a cultural heavyweight. Here are five must-see shows during Frieze 2024.
Yayoi Kusama at Victoria Miro
One of the most anticipated shows, Yayoi Kusama’s latest exhibition at Victoria Miro is bound to draw crowds. Upon entering, visitors are invited to experience her new “Infinity Room,” titled Beauty Described by a Spherical Heart. Imagine stepping inside a giant disco ball surrounded by mirrors and flashing LED lights. While disorienting at first, your senses quickly adjust. The LED lights shift through various colors before resetting to a bright white, as a large mirrored orb in the room reflects everything, including your own image. Though it may feel like a gimmick, it’s undeniably a fun experience.
Upstairs, Kusama’s signature fabric tendrils and polka-dots adorn the gallery, with one of the installations stretching dramatically from the ceiling to the ground floor. On the outdoor deck, Ladder to Heaven, a 13-foot tall stainless-steel sculpture perforated with polka dots, stands prominently.
Turner Prize 2024 at Tate Britain
The once-iconic Turner Prize has been quieter in recent years. With its relevance often questioned, some wonder if it still holds the excitement it once had in the 1990s. This year’s shortlisted artists, including Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, Jasleen Kaur, and Delaine Le Bas, aim to reinvigorate the prize.
Jasleen Kaur’s Alter Altar stands out as a personal favorite—a red Ford Escort draped with an oversized doily, blaring a mix of hip-hop, pop, and Islamic devotional chants. It captures the essence of the Turner Prize. The winner will be revealed on December 3, 2024.
Francis Bacon at the National Portrait Gallery
Francis Bacon’s powerful portraits have finally arrived at the National Portrait Gallery, focusing on how the artist pushed the boundaries of portraiture. The show, Human Presence, brings together 55 of Bacon’s works, highlighting the emotional turmoil of his life and relationships, including his lover George Dyer, who died by suicide in 1971. Bacon’s “Black Triptychs,” created after Dyer’s death, convey the grief and intensity that redefined modern portraiture.
Though the National Portrait Gallery doesn’t typically feature Bacon’s work, curator Rosie Broadley noted that the exhibition challenges the institution’s traditional criteria.
Claude Monet at Courtauld Institute of Art
Monet’s serene waterlilies are famous, but his depictions of London’s fog-covered landmarks are equally mesmerizing. Charing Cross Bridge, the Thames is one of the standout pieces at the Courtauld’s current exhibition, showcasing Monet’s skill at portraying the subtle play of light through London’s pollution. This collection of 21 works, being shown in the UK for the first time, is a rare glimpse into the artist’s time in London. His depiction of atmospheric light in fog-shrouded settings is a stark contrast to his brighter works from France.
Monet once wrote to his wife about the challenge of painting London’s fog: “the fog assumes all sorts of colors,” he mused. This exhibit provides a much-needed reprieve from the hustle of Frieze.
Mire Lee at Tate Modern
Walking into Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, now reimagined as an industrial, almost dystopian, womb, is a chilling experience. Mire Lee, an artist who stunned audiences at the 2022 Venice Biennale, has transformed the massive space with her show, Open Wound. At the center is a large turbine draped with pink, skin-like materials, evoking an unsettling, visceral feeling. Other skeletal forms and draped skins hang around the space, suggesting themes of human vulnerability and mortality. The mechanical, grinding movements of the installation serve as a reminder of our own fragility, perhaps even hinting at humanity’s potential end.
Lee’s work leaves much open to interpretation, but its haunting and unsettling brilliance is hard to ignore.
Whether you’re attending Frieze or exploring the city’s other exhibitions, London remains a beacon of cultural vibrancy in the art world.