The AnOther team compile their top 10 things to see and do this July
William Klein – July 10 - September 6
The Michael Hoppen Gallery is hosting an exhibition of photographs by William Klein – both large editioned works and unique painted contact prints. One of the world’s most important photographers, Klein is notable for reinventing the form of documentary photography and challenging the established photographic orthodoxies of his day.
AnOthermag.com presents: Words and Fashion – July 29
This month, in collaboration with Design Museum, AnOthermag.com will present #WordWeek, a week-long exploration of the intersection between words, language and typography in fashion. On Tuesday 29 July, AnOthermag.com editor Laura Bradley will lead a talk on the subject with key figures from the industry. Perfect for wordsmiths and fashion fanatics alike, you'd better get your tickets before they sell out!
An Idiosyncratic A to Z of the Human Condition – Until October 12
The Wellcome Collection's newest exhibition examines human existence via an A to Z of strange and wonderful anthropological artefacts from a multitude of perspectives and eras, including glass eyes, Inuit snow goggles and an exquisite 14th century Persian horoscope. A must see for the "incurably curious", curator Danielle Olson explains, "Although the exhibition doesn't reveal the meaning of life, it grapples with many of its questions and offers glimpses of how others have done so before."
Love to Love to Love You – July 2-7; PUSH, starring Sylvie Guillem, at Sadler's Wells – July 29 - August 3; West Side Story at the Royal Albert Hall – July 4-6
There are some excellent theatrical events in London this July. Upcoming playwright Florence Keith-Roach’s new comedy Love to Love to Love You is premiering at the Library club in the West End in an exhilarating collision of sex and disco. Meanwhile, renowned ballerina Sylvie Guillem is reprising Russell Maliphant's extraordinary four part ballet PUSH at Sadler’s Wells. And, back by popular demand, the Royal Albert Hall is screening a remastered version of Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’ 1961 film West Side Story, with the score performed by a live orchestra.
Montpellier Danse Festival – Until July 9; Port Eliot Festival – July 24-27; Wireless Festival – July 4-6
There are also festivals to suit everyone’s taste this summer. The Montpellier Danse Festival is returning for its 34th year to the Languedoc-Rousillion region of France with a programme of dance pieces from both internationally renowned and up and coming performers including Angelin Preljocaj and Wayne McGregor. Port Eliot Festival is running with a programme of great music as well as talks by writers and thinkers including Alex Bellos and Hanif Kureshi. Finally, Wireless festival returns to London and Birmingham, featuring performances from Say Lou Lou, A$AP Rocky and iconic 80s hip hop trio Salt-N-Peppa.
Marina Abramović and the Summer Pavilion by Smiljan Radić at the Serpentine – Until August 25 & October 19
During July, Marina Abramović continues her monumental performance 512 Hours, in which she performs from 10am till 6pm, 6 days a week. In this unscripted, improvised performance she will continue her exploration of themes like minimalism and reduction. Meanwhile, Smiljan Radić’s new pavilion outside the Serpentine will be open throughout the month. The pavilion will be a shell-like structure enclosing a multipurpose social space. The purpose of the pavilion will be constantly changing throughout the months and visitors will be encouraged to interact with it in different ways.
Growing Old Disgracefully – July 16
Marking a cultural moment exemplified by the likes of Advanced Style, The Book Club in east London has brought together a panel of older people to entertain, educate and amuse, with the aim of challenging issues the way we perceive aging. Amongst those invited to talk and perform are Lynn Ruth Miller, the much lauded comedian who began performing at the age of 70, and Martine Shackerly-Bennett who underwent a sex change three years ago at the age of 67.
The Visual Revolution: Russian Avant-Garde Photography, Alexander Rodchenko & Vkhutemas Workshop – 9 July- 28 August
This summer, the Richard Saltoun gallery are bringing together over 1500 prints from twentieth century Russian photographers. The photographs are drawn from some of the major moments in Russian history including Constructivist-Supermatist period of the 1920s, the Socialist-Realist period of the ‘30s and World War II photography.
Ewen Spencer's Guapamente: Miami – July 3-27
An exhibition by photographer Ewen Spencer opens this month at the new Ditto gallery in east London to accompany the release of the third of his Guapamente publications. Spencer’s work engages with the styling and behaviour of European and global youth cultures, such as the grime and garage scenes, while his latest series features sun saturated images of young Americans on spring break in Miami.
Samuel Beckett Festival – 31 July - August 10
The Samuel Becket festival is returning for the third time since its inception in 2012. Held in Enniskillen, the town in which Beckett spent his school years, the programme includes a number of events aimed at celebrating Beckett’s legacy. Notable events include performances of music by Beckett’s favourite composer, Schubert, and a new production of Catastrophe, Beckett’s one act play from 1986.
Compiled by Max Fletcher
