Aesthetica Magazine Issue 48

August / September 2012

There are many things that we do each day, which will never change. You will wake up, have lunch, check emails, read the headlines, eat dinner and go to bed – this is part of a daily routine. However, it’s vital to do something out of the ordinary. Only in these moments can something truly unexpected occur, and it’s this element of surprise that creates some of the most exciting experiences.

This issue starts with The Way of Enthusiasts, a group show that utilises the context of the Venice Architecture Biennale as a platform to survey the last few decades of Russian art. Featuring over 80 artists, Ends of the Earth: Land Art to 1974 is on now at MOCA Los Angeles and challenges many myths about Land Art, including that it was primarily a North American phenomenon. We also take an in-depth look at Penelope Slinger’s Hear What I Say, which opens this September at Riflemaker in London – it’s the first solo show the artist has had in the UK in 32 years. In images, Made in Arizona celebrates the iconic imagery of the American Southwest from 1871 to the present day. There’s Something Happening Here opens at Brancolini Grimaldi this September and showcases the work of a new generation of photographers. Cig Harvey’s delicate images seduce the imagination and capture moments of uncertainty. Finally, we introduce the work of Akif Hakan Celebi, whose experimental fashion photography is cinematic and visually arresting.

In film, we speak with Alastair Siddons about his new release In The Dark Half  – a feature that spans across genres from fantasy to horror, and from thriller to social realism. We also interview Malik Bendjelloul, director of Searching for Sugar Man, a documentary about the legendary Mexican-American singer-songwriter Rodriguez. In music, we look at the apps that are changing music production and chat with Grasscut about their new album Unearth. In performance, at MdM Salzburg, a massive photographic retrospective celebrates the life and influence of Merce Cunningham. Finally, we chat with video artist Ed Atkins about his forthcoming show at the Chisenhale Gallery. Enjoy.

Cloclo

While the rest of the world was enamoured with The Beatles, Claude François was a sensation in France.

Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present

Matthew Akers delivers a living portrait of Marina Abramović, one of the most radical, provocative, uncompromising and extreme figures of the last 40 years.

Delicacy

Nathalie is consumed by grief when her handsome husband dies, but three years down the line, she surprises herself by falling for an awkward Swedish man.

The Source

The wry humour woven through this initially subversive battle of the sexes never really goes away, even as the drama takes on a harsher, realist perspective.

Bel Ami

Based on the 1885 novel of the same name by Guy de Maupassant, Bel Ami is a fast-paced romp through the Parisian high society of the late 19th century.

Kid Koala

From the instant 12 Bit Blues starts playing, an incredibly thrilling experience begins. As a listener, you feel like you’ve been given access to a rare privilege.

Said the Whale

With their third full-length album, Said the Whale prove themselves to be experts in blending diverse elements into an ultimately harmonious end result.

Room E

Room E is a San Diego-based producer and he makes gentle electronica. The album, Penguin Child, is a very relaxed walk through this particular genre.

kNIFE and fORK

Taking your title from one of the world’s most celebrated Surrealists means you’ve got to deliver and this doesn’t disappoint.

Meursault

Meursault have produced a genuinely extraordinary record. Something For The Weakened hangs its hat on its writing and production, and both are almost faultless.

Helen Boulding

Primarily acoustic, the album prioritises melody, and you’ll find yourself humming some of its tunes when you don’t expect it.

Caspar David Friedrich

This isn’t so much a book as it is an artefact. Beautiful and intimate, this text offers an overview of Friedrich’s oeuvre.

Ken Price Sculpture: A Retrospective

Ken Price, an internationally renowned ceramic artist, is best known for his abstract shapes constructed from clay.

Photo Album

Bringing together seven distinct bodies of work from 1998 to 2012, Photo Album is a collection that evokes its namesake.

Drape Drape 2

Drape Drape 2 includes 14 designs for tops, dresses, skirts, vests and jackets. The designs have a certain sharp severity that you would expect from the former Head of Garment Design for Muji.

Hello Nature

Wegman’s love of Weimaraners has led him to be recognised as one of world’s most widely known conceptual artists.

Ed Atkins

Ed Atkins’ work investigates materiality and corporeality by working in high-definition video and writing.

Made in Arizona

2012 marks the 100th year since Arizona became one of the United States, and this summer The Center for Creative Photography presents a selection of images created in the state.

There’s Something Happening Here

This September Brancolini Grimaldi hosts There’s Something Happening Here, a group exhibition that showcases the work of a new generation of photographers.

The Music App Explosion

We’re in the age of the iPhone. Nearly everyone has one. how is the music industry coping with the influx of apps?