There is currently an exceptional open submission exhibition held at Whitechapel Gallery, which is worth seeing for at least three reasons.
First, the variety of the art displayed. The London Open 2015 is in fact a collection of artworks created by contemporary artists based in London, selected by important names of the artworld such as artist Angela de la Cruz, collector Nicoletta Fiorucci, art critic Ben Luke and gallerist Jake Miller. The selection, made from nothing less than 2133 applicants, picks 48 contemporary artists who give their contribution using many different medias and styles. The result is a fresh dive into the variegated world of contemporary art, passing through installations and sculptures made with the most different materials, to reach to the extremes of video art, live performance and painting. The works are grouped together by themes, affinity and contrast. You may not enjoy every piece that you will encounter in this trip through the galleries, but at least you will definetely appreciate the melting pot of creativity that surrounds you.
Second, the focus on London. The aim of the exhibition is to give voice and international resonance to the living artists who make up the vibrating London art scene. The only requirement to be selected was to be over 26 and to be dwelling in the London boroughs. It is incredible to think of the great response given by the artists, with thousands of submissions from which the curators chose twentyfive female artists, tewntytwo male artists and one collective. The artists themselves, as most of the people livingin London, are from everywhere in the world, their nationalities spanning across the UK, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, USA. The London Open really gives you the feeling of London as one of the most important centres of contemporary art in the world, a place where conventional and unconventional ways of creating cohexist in a thrilling dynamism.
Ben Cove, Head Construct (2), 2013, oil and acrylic on panel.
Last but not least! The London Open 2015 is not the first open submission exhibition hosted by the Whitechapel Gallery: Back in 1932, the East End Academy (later Whitechapel Open) was hosting the work of all artists living in the area of Aldgate. Later on, the space developed to include artists from all London areas, Whitechapel Gallery becoming a renowned spot where young, promising artists can show their work to a wider audience. This gallery is surely a mecca for whoever may be interested in contemporary art, and especially this exhibition, in line with the gallery’s historical position, displays what we can call the avant-guard of all art based in London. A very useful catalogue by curator Daniel Herrmann and assitant curator Poppy Bowers accompanies and explains both the works and the artists.
An enchanting exhibition, certainly an enriching experience! Don’t miss it.
The London Open 2015 is on from 15th July to 6th September 2015, in Galleries 1, 8, Victor Petitgas Gallery (Gallery 9) and Gallery 2 at Whitechapel Gallery, 77 – 82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX (Tube: Aldgate East). Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 6pm, Thursdays, 11am – 9pm. Ow, and yes, the admission is free.
Useful links:
The London Open 2015 overview: http://www.whitechapelgallery.org/exhibitions/coming-soon-london-open/
Diotima in the Gallery 