5 to See: This Festive Season

5 to See: This Festive Season

This week’s selection of must-see shows includes renowned awards, VR experiences and inspiring photography exhibitions – all reflecting on the changing nature of art in the digital age.

David Hockney, John St. Claire Swimming, April 1972, from “Twenty
Photographic Pictures by David Hockney”, 1976. © David Hockney, Photo: Richard Schmidt

Doing the Document: Photographs from Diane Arbus to Piet Zwart, Museum Ludwig, Cologne

Questioning the boundaries between fine art and documentary photography, Doing the Document captures the zeitgeist of the 20th and 21st centuries through work by Diane Arbus, David Hockney, Walker Evans, Lee Friedlander and Candida Höfer. Until 6 January.

Zanele Muholi, Bester I, 2015, self portrait, Mayotte. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Zanele Muholi & The Women’s Mobile Museum, Philadelphia Photo Arts Center.

The result of a year-long artist residency connecting visual activist Muholi with ten women from the region, this show reflects upon diversity in the industry by asking: “Whose portraits are shown in museums?” and “Who is art for?” Until 31 March.

Jo Ann Callis, Black Table Cloth, 1979; from Feast for the Eyes (Aperture, 2017)

Feast for the Eyes, Foam, Amsterdam

Foam’s new exhibition explores the story of food in photography, tapping into socio-political narratives surrounding domestic space, global consumption and selfhood. Featuring Stephen Shore, Martin Parr and Cindy Sherman. Until 3 March.

Autoportrait by Luke Willis Thompson.

Turner Prize 2018, Tate Britain, London

Winner Charlotte Prodger and finalists Forensic Architecture, Luke Willis Thompson and Naeem Mohaiemen are four politically-engaged practitioners whose work looks to notions of identity, technology and inequality. Until 9 January. 

We Live in An Ocean of Air, 2018. Photos – Barnaby Steel – Marshmallow Laser Feast.

We live in an Ocean of Air, Saatchi Gallery, London

In an increasingly urbanised and digital world, this virtual reality experience offers an essential moment of reflection. Seamlessly blending art, science and technology, viewers are invited to interact with a digital ecosystem. Until 20 January. 

Credits:
1. Zanele Muholi, “Bester IX” (2018)