Art and design on holiday
Some people just can’t be without all things design, or art in general, even when they are on holiday. In fact, there are those who use their summer break to visit museums, works of art and installations they haven’t had time to see during the year, or those events running just over the summer. We have chosen five must-see events and exhibitions in Europe this summer.
#1 London, Christo installation
After “The Floating Pier” that helped us walk on water at Lake Iseo, artist Christo is back with “The London Mastaba”: a floating installation of 7,506 coloured barrels on the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park. Standing at 20 metres tall in the trapezoidal shape of an ancient monumental Egyptian tomb, its colours change according to the light and reflect in the water. “An enormous invitation, like a ladder to the sky”, is how the artist himself described it. You can admire it until 23 September.
#2 Favara, Farm Cultural Park
This art gallery and international artist residence can be found in Agrigento, Sicily, and is in fact much more than just a gallery. Founded in 2010, this project was set up with the aim of bringing new life to the historic centre of Favara – and it would seem it has done just that! This small capital of urban regeneration, as recognised by the EU, attracted 120,000 visitors in 2017 alone. If you are not heading that way this summer, it is open to visitors all year round. We assure you it is worth it! As they say themselves on their website, Farm Cultural Park is a place “that makes you happy”!
#3 Carcassonne, Varini’s concentric circles
Carcassonne is a medieval gem located in southern France, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city itself is well worth a visit, but as of May this year it has become an obligatory stop-off point, thanks to a temporary public art installation labelled “Concentric Eccentric”. On show until the end of September, this project by Swiss artist Felice Varini consists in a large and most unusual optical illusion in the form of enormous concentric circles which run from Porte d’Aude and have been created using strips of aluminium painted yellow. The explanation doesn’t do it justice, better to see it for yourselves.
#4 Bruges, water installations
Running until 16 September, “Triënnale Brugge” is now in its second year, transforming this Flemish city into an open-air art gallery. The 15 installations by as many international artists are spread out along the streets of the city and its waterways. The theme this year is “Liquid City”, inviting us to reflect on the social and environmental problems of the near future.
#5 Ibiza, street art festival
Ibiza is the island of fun – and street art. The latest edition of the Bloop Festival will be running from 23 August until 8 September and this year’s theme is “Hope”. As well as plenty of murals, you can expect music, new media art, paintings, sculptures, design and photography. All that’s left for us to say is have a fabulous holiday!
