Embracing melodrama: This Week in Culture.

Welcome to This Week in Culture

A weekly agenda of show openings and events in major cities across the globe. From galleries to institutions and one-of-a-kind happenings, our ongoing survey highlights the best of contemporary culture, for those willing to make the journey.

“Two Pieces in the Shape of a Pear” curated by Pat Steir
Hauser & Wirth Southampton

Part of the magic of a group show is the dialogues initiated between the pieces on display. In this exhibition, Pat Steir, an artist herself and the curator on hand, had those conversations in mind. Among those paired will be Cindy Sherman and Mickalene Thomas, Rita Ackermann and Avery Singer, Mary Heilmann and Martha Tuttle, and Rashid Johnson and Steir herself. “Two Pieces in the Shape of a Pear” will be on view from August 5 to September 30, 2023 at Hauser & Wirth Southampton.

“No Funny Business” by Ryan Lucero
Gaylord Apartments Los Angeles

Ryan Lucero’s work spans genres and moods. The artist, whose paintings take the shape of everything from bar scenes to textual cutouts and wallpaper patterns, is staging his second solo show at Gaylord Apartments, a popular home gallery run by Joseph Geagan and John Tuite in their rent-controlled Koreatown space. The unusual location, abound with natural light, is sure to be a good fit for Lucero’s eclectic range of work. “No Funny Business” is currently on view at Gaylord Apartments in Los Angeles.

Aspen ArtWeek
Aspen Art Museum

Kicked off with a welcome party in the halls of the Aspen Art Museum, ArtWeek puts the artistic pulse of the city on display for both locals and seasonal travelers, with an exciting slate of events scheduled in and around the Colorado town. Hikes and curator talks set the tone for the culmination of ArtWeek: the museum’s annual gala, ArtCrush. The event will take place on August 4, with artist Nairy Baghramian as its guest of honor. Aspen ArtWeek is running through August 4, 2023, hosted by the Aspen Art Museum.

“Baroque”
Champ Lacombe Biarritz

What word unites Andy Warhol, John Waters, and Farah Al Qasimi? For curators Lucy Chadwick and Taylor Trabulus, the answer is “baroque.” The pair have brought together a hefty list of artists for an exhibition at Chadwick’s Basque country gallery. The selection promises to unravel the intricacies of the word, and how excess has embedded itself in modern life, grounding the theoretical framework in real life issues surrounding globalization and technological advancement. “Baroque” is on view through September 29, 2023 at Champ Lacombe in Biarritz, France.

“Sitting on Chrome” by Mario Ayala, rafa esparza, and Guadalupe Rosales
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Mario Ayala, rafa esparza, and Guadalupe Rosales are coming together to explore the design and culture surrounding lowrider cars, from their custom exteriors to their cultural significance. The artists are opening the exhibition with a collaborative mural, followed by a slew of galleries featuring multi-sensory installations. In each, the work is pulled from their personal experiences cruising through the street of Los Angeles. “Sitting on Chrome” will be on view from August 3, 2023 to February 19, 2024 at SFMOMA.

Kokomo City directed by D. Smith

Helmed by director D. Smith, Kokomo City tells the story of four transgender Black women and sex workers, parsing through their lives in New York and Georgia. The film made its debut at Sundance, and is now headed to movie theaters with a Panorama Audience Award from the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival. Smith steered her film away from the danger faced by its stars on account of both their identities and professions, instead choosing to capture the joy in their lives. However, following the premiere in January, the film’s lead, Koko Da Doll, was murdered in Atlanta at age 35. Upon hearing the news, Smith told Variety, “I wanted to create images that didn’t show the trauma or the statistics of murder of Transgender lives … But here we are again … She will inspire generations to come and will never be forgotten.” Kokomo City was released in theaters on July 28th, 2023.

Warm Up
MoMA PS1 New York

Returning to MoMA PS1 for its 25th edition, Warm Up is an opportunity for those in the city to enjoy experimental electronic music outdoors. Hosted by a group of the city’s foremost nightlife and music experts, this year’s program features sets by Veronica Vasicka, SHYBOI, John Roberts, and Bergsonist, among others. A Warm Up ticket also provides entry to the museum’s summer shows, offering a dancefloor escape for weary attendees. Warm Up will take place on August 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2023 at MoMA PS1 in New York.

“KarmaComa”
Anna Laudel Gallery Bodrum

With “KarmaComa,” curator Ayça Okay brings together 20 different artists to highlight dramas real and televised. The works on display span mediums, and Okay’s focus is on using their contrasts to explore Turkey’s current economic state through the lens of the melodramatic. “KarmaComa” is on view through September 3, 2023 at Anna Laudel Gallery in Bodrum, Turkey.

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