Spring has arrived, bringing with it rising temperatures and blooming flowers. This season also marks the flourishing of refreshing new programs by museums and galleries, as they prepare to welcome visitors. Whether you are drawn to the imaginative world of Javi Calleja’s figuration or captivated by Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room, the global art scene has something for everyone.
To help you make the most of your visit, we have compiled a list of five must-see national and international proposals. If you find yourself in any of these locations, don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore these fantastic art destinations.
“El principio de algo” by Imon Boy at CAC Málaga
On show until June 4th
The Malagueñan artist’s first exhibition at a museum promises to be a trip through memory lane. Anime, video games, music and film become the center point in Imon Boy’s painting illustrated through his now iconic wide color palette, rounded shapes and a soft style, the characters represented evoke nostalgia and take the visitor back to their childhood days.
The artist has also intervened in the museum walls of CAC Malaga, expanding his pictoric elements and creating a space that has a flowing dialogue throughout the whole exhibition.
Mr-Günter “The Cat Show” of Javi Calleja at Centro Cultural Unicaja
On show until September 4th.
Another great offer in the city of Malaga is one of the most extensive shows of Javi Calleja’s universe, on show now at Centro Cultural Unicaja. Curated by Alicia Gutierrez Romay and Shinji Minamizuka, director of Nanzuka Gallery (Tokyo), the show finally arrives at his home city after its acclaimed success at Parco Museum Tokyo and CICA Vancouver.
Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the artist’s broad range of creative expressions, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, editions, and collaborations with various brands. The incorporation of large-scale sculptures that bring the artist’s paintings to life in three dimensions creates a sense of unity with the universe, allowing visitors to experience the play of scales and colors firsthand. In this way, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to engage with the artist’s multifaceted practice.
Protection no longer assured at Colección Solo
A visit to Madrid includes the usual cultural activities like Reina Sofía Museum and Prado Museum, but if you are looking for an alternative and artistic hidden gem of the city you cannot miss “Colección Solo”. Located at the emblematic Puerta de Alcalá and a few steps away from the Retiro Park, this space has become an essential part of Madrid’s itinerary.
Protection no longer assured offers a journey on the relationship between body, environment and matter through the work of the most iconic contemporary artists of the 21st century such as Grip Face, Keiichi Tanaami, Haroshi, Sandra Vásquez de la Horra and Motohiro Hayakawa among many others.
At the exhibition, visitors are presented with a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of “delightful horror,” which has become increasingly prevalent due to technological advancements, the spread of disinformation, ongoing armed conflicts, and the climate emergency. More than 60 works by 30 talented artists are on display, encompassing a diverse range of mediums such as painting, sculpture, installation, and even artificial intelligence. These works encourage visitors to view this complex topic through the unique perspectives of the exhibiting artists, offering a fresh and engaging approach to contemporary art.
INTERNATIONAL
Dana Schutz at Museum Louisiana in Copenhagen
On view until June 6th
One of the greatest story figurative painters of our century is showcasing her gigantic compositions at the Museum Louisiana in Copenhagen. Dana’s work invites us into her universe where she explains the complex relationship between humans through her vigorous sense of color and dramatic nerve.
The upcoming exhibition will showcase numerous paintings that depict scenes of people in various scenarios such as battling for a mountaintop, struggling to survive on a boat in rough seas, or embarking on a group expedition with rafts to outpace the sun.
These grandiose scenes possess a nearly biblical quality and adopt the persona of contemporary mythology. Although Schutz is undoubtedly modern in her artistic approach, it is apparent that she possesses a deep understanding and command of classical techniques and draws inspiration from the grand traditions of historical painting.
Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now en M+ Hong Kong
On view until May 14th
The japanese artist has definitely been one of the most talked about artist of the year, her collaboration with Louis Vuitton was seen all over social media and her iconic infinity mirror rooms has become the perfect “Instagram spot”.
Now one of her most extensive retrospectives of Yayoi Kusama’s art in Asia, excluding Japan, is showcased in “Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now” at M+ Hong Kong. Over 200 works, ranging from paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, and archival material, are on display. The exhibition tracks Kusama’s artistic career from her earliest teenage drawings during World War II to her latest immersive artworks.
The retrospective is structured both chronologically and thematically, leading visitors through Kusama’s lifelong creative endeavors, grouped into six principal themes: Infinity, Accumulation, Radical Connectivity, Biocosmic, Death, and Force of Life.