What I Have Been Up To: London

I decided to share with you what I have been up to in the past couple of weeks as a lot of the things are culture related. Thus, making them perfect to share on here... After all you can never be bored in London, right?

Rubens and His Legacy: Van Dyck to Cézanne at the Royal Academy 

I had the opportunity to visit a lovely Blogger's Evening at the Royal Academy that included a short lecture on Rubens before entering the exhibition. Basically, it turned into the perfect Friday night for me and my boyfriend as museums do work as perfect dating spots. 

I cannot recommend Rubens and His Legacy enough! It has to be the best exhibition in London right now so do not hesitate and visit it (you have a chance till the 10th of April 2015). The exhibition explores the great impact that Rubens has had on contemporary art by showcasing his work next to works of subsequent generations of artists. So, you not only get to see some of Rubens' best, but also works by Renoir, Cezanne, Gainsborough, even by Picasso and Warhol. You can read my review on it here.

Personally, I love classical art and it is exhibitions like this ones that I enjoy the most. Italian Renaissance,  French Baroque and Romanticism are among my favourites, and as Rubens' style is so obviously influenced by the great Italian masters - he quickly turned into one of my favourite artists. Rubens and His Legacy also gives a great perspective into exactly what an influential figure Rubens was (and still is) in the world of art. 

Now go, go, go! 

Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector at the Barbican

This is another very good exhibition that is quite unique! The idea behind it is to show what 14 different artists have collected through the years - by showcasing their personal collections next to pieces of their own art work, the viewer can draw interesting new connections. For instance, you get to see Warhol's collection of cookie jars - a symbol of domesticity that can be found reflected in his work.

The exhibition is at the Barbican and it is going to be there until April. Will insert a link to my review once it is up.

Marlene Dumas: The Image as Burden at Tate Modern

If you asked me, this is another must! Marlene Dumas' loud social commentary feels very current as her work reflects on issues that could be found in the mass media. One of the most interesting rooms, called Magdalenas, reflects on the way women are represented in British media, and the contrast between Naomi Campbel's and Princess Diana's pictures talks quite clearly.

Full review here and you can see the exhibition at Tate Modern until the 10th of May 2015.

History is Now: 7 Artists Take on Britain at Hayward Gallery

In this one, seven artists have been invited to curate exhibitions, looking at particular period of cultural history from 1945 to the present day. The artworks shown are rather versatile just as the covered topics: celebrity culture and mass media, 'mad-cow' disease, protest movements, feminism, the Cold War. The last 70 years have been quite eventful, so there are a lot of aspects that have had their impact on British culture as we know it today. Including more than 250 different objects, History is Now is another great exhibition that I can recommend visiting as each of its seven rooms raise different questions.

I have reviewed this one as well, right here. You can see it at Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre until the 26th of April, 2015.

Lastly: Definitely go and watch Kingsman: The Secret Service if you still haven't. Unmissable entertainment. I promise!

So, what about you? Do tell me what you have been up to this week!