The Diary: Exhibitions, shows and events in August


Our pick of events happening this month or coming up


Words by Ellen Peirson

Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier (main image)
Until 7 October
Design Museum

This exhibition shows some 60 of Alaïa’s iconic designs, divided by architectural interventions by artists, designers and collaborators of Alaïa. As one of fashion’s most respected designers in history, Alaïa’s retrospective takes on a bittersweet ambience with his death in November 2017, after having conceived and co-curated the exhibition.

The Return Of The Past: Postmodernism In British Architecture
Until 26 August
Sir John Soane’s Museum

The Return Of The Past: Postmodernism In British ArchitectureImage Credit: Terry Farrell, TV-AM, Camden 1981-82 / Richard Bryant / Arcaid

The first exhibition solely dedicated to postmodernist British architecture looks at how postmodernism arose as a reactionary movement to the strict doctrines of modernism and the ways in which it sought to reconnect architecture to the past through ornament, materials, form and typology.

London Design Biennale
4 – 23 September
Somerset House

London Design Biennale 4 – 23 September

In its second outing, London Design Biennale will see 40 countries, cities and territories explore the theme Emotional States. Via their own cultural and social identity they will present diverse bodies of work from some of the world’s best architects, designers, scientists, writers and artists.

Baldwin & Guggisberg: Under an Equal Sky
Until 11 November
Canterbury Cathedral

Baldwin & Guggisberg: Under an Equal SkyImage Credit: Alex Ramsay

To commemorate the anniversary of the end of 1914.18 war, Baldwin & Guggisberg presents a series of glass installations in Canterbury Cathedral, exploring themes of war, humanity, refuge and time, Featured is an installation of 100 glass amphorae in the shape of a ship, evoking images of refugees fleeing places of war on boats.

Sanguine/Bloedrood: Luc Tuymans on Baroque
Until 16 September
Museum of Contemporary Art, Antwerp

SANGUINE/BLOEDROOD: Luc Tuymans on BaroqueImage Credit: Studies Kop Abraham Grapheus Jacob Jordaens Museum Voor Schone Kunsten Gent

Curator Luc Tuymans brings together key baroque works with the work of both modern masters and contemporary artists. As a part of the city’s Antwerp Baroque 2018: Rubens inspires, Tuymans juxtaposes the fine art with the contemporary, putting the work in visual and historical context.








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