Top Encounters 2016
As the year comes to a close, find out The Art Partners selection of top encounters 2016. In chronological order of their opening, these were the 10 most engaging art exhibitions that we saw this year across the world.
1. Miró y el objeto | Caixaforum Madrid
Mujer sentada y niño 1967 Fondation Joan Miró
9 February 2016 - 22 May 2016
Miró and the Object, an exhibition organised by ”la Caixa” Foundation and the Fundació Joan Miró and curated by William Jeffett, was the first to be exclusively devoted to Miró’s exploration of the object, tracing its presence and evolution through the different stages in the artist’s career.
2. Hieronymus Bosch - Visions of Genius | Het Noordbrabants Museum
Hieronymus Bosch (circa 1450–1516) 'The Garden of Earthly Delights' (between 1480 and 1505)
13 February 2016 - 8 May 2016
Named as 'one of the most important exhibitions of our century' by the Guardian and attracting almost half a million visitors within four months, this was all because of one reason: Hieronymus Bosch, the late medieval Netherlandish painter. Little is known about the painter and only a dozens of works were presented, but that is enough to convince, since it’s Bosch.
3. Hilma af Klint: Painting the Unseen | Serpentine Galleries London
Hilma af Klint: Painting the Unseen Installation view Serpentine Gallery, London Image © Jerry Hardman-Jones
3 March 2016 - 15 May 2016
Exhibtion dedicated to Hilma af Klint ,pioneer artist in abstract art, was named as “the show of the year” by the Sunday Times. Co-curated with Serpentine Galleries, this exhibition documents the life of Hilma af Klint, from her studies in Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm to her near isolation from the European avant-garde.
4. Yayoi Kusama | Victoria Miro London
Yayoi Kusama Chandelier of Grief, 2016 Installation © Yayoi Kusama
25 May 2016 – 30 July 2016
The absolute superstar Kusama has made an exhibition of her broad variety of works, ranging from her delicate polka dot to the Infinity Nets.
5. My Abstract World | me Collectors Room Berlin
Bernhard Frize 'Puxo' 2011. Courtesy of me Collectors Room
14 September 2016 – 2 April 2017
‘My Abstract World’ brings together a selection of Olbricht’s favourites, drawn from his collection of 350 abstract works by ninety different artists. To list a few name of international artists, from established figures like Gerhard Richter, Bernard Frize and Katharina Grosse to representatives of a younger generation, including Ali Banisadr, Paul Fägerskiöld and Parker Ito.
6. The Infinite Mix The Store, London
Ugo rondinone thanx 4 nothing installation vidéo noir et blanc 14 min 2015 © ugo rondinone
9 September 2016 – 11 December 2016
The exhibition brings together audio-visual artworks that are soulful and audacious in their exploration of a wide range of subjects. Beautifully installed in an empty office block, and produced by the Hayward the interplay between moving image and sound is crucial.
7. Michelangelo Pistoletto | Blenheim Art Foundation
Venere degli stracci / Venus of the Rags (1967 – 2014) by Michelangelo Pistoletto. Photo Tom Lindboe, courtesy of Blenheim Art Foundation.
15 September 2016 – 31 December 2016
The first major exhibition in Britain, features works of the past 50 years in Pistoletto's career. Pistoletto gives us a playful crash-course in Italian history, referencing the Renaissance and Fascism in turn.
8. Abstract Expressionism | Royal Academy of Arts London
Joan Mitchell Salut Tom, 1979. © Estate of Joan Mitchell
24 Sep 2016 - 2 Jan 2017
One of the best shows this year, consisting of Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko and much, much more, RAA is exploring an unparalleled period in American art: Abstract Expressionism.
9. Icons of modern Art. The Shchukin Collection | Fondation Louis Vuitton Paris
Henri Matisse, La Danse (1909-1910). Courtesy of Fondation Louis Vuitton and The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.
22 October 2016 - 20 February 2017
As a part of the official programme of France - Russia year of cultural tourism 2016-2017, the exhibition pays tribute to one of the greatest art patrons of the 20th century, Sergei Shchukin. The exhibition presented 130 masterpieces by impressionists and modern masters, including Monet, Matisse, Braque and Renoir amongst others.
10. Inside David Bowie’s Private Collection | Sotheby’s
Installation view of 'Inside David Bowie’s Private Collection' at Sotheby's. photograph courtesy of Sotheby's
10 November 2016 –11 November 2016
Superstar and art collector, David Bowie left an immense collection behind, from Harold Gilman to Peter Lanyon, which was sold in one of the most famous auctions ever, reaching record prices.
Bonus Tate Modern New Extention / Design Museum New Building
Inside view of the Design Museum new building. Photograph courtesy of Gareth Gardner
Tate Modern - 17 June 2016 / Design Museum - 24 November 2016
We couldn't miss these 2 important events, that happened in 2016 on the London Art Map. The long-awaited Tate Modern new extension rose from behind the power station as a new iconic addition to the London skyline and provide the museum with additional space for galleries and art exhibitions.
The newly build Design museum, dedicates itself to contemporary design in every form. John Pawson's conversion of the 1960s building provides the museum with almost 10,000 square metres of gallery spaces – triple the space available at its previous east London location in Shad Thames.