The 5 to See for 4-6 August provides insight into global transitions prevalent in the 20th century. Whilst encompassing a diverse range of themes, the events are united by political undertones that celebrate freedom and justice.
1.Khalik Allah and Adama Jalloh, Wisdom Cries in the Dark, PhotoFusion Gallery, London.
Wisdom Cries In The Street is the first UK show of street photographers Khalik Allah and Adama Jalloh. Curated by Eddie Otchere, this rare opportunity presents the work of two enigmatic artists who, immersed in their communities, document the complex nature of identity. Each subject is framed within the landscape of life on the margins defined by sidewalks and bus lanes. Jalloh’s images are nuanced acts of socio-political defiance, establishing the truth about working class societies and post-colonial migration. Similarly, Allah’s methods document the realities of the daily monotony of urban life. He notes: “I tell people that my camera is a healing mechanism. Let me photograph it and take it away from you.” Open until 23 August.
2. Anna Maria Maiolino, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.
August marks the opening of Brazilian artist Anna Maria Maiolino’s (b. 1942) first major US retrospective, tracing defining movements within history. This large-scale survey encompasses an extraordinary oeuvre from the early 1960s to the present, bringing together expressive woodblock prints, visceral cement sculptures, monumental installations of unfired clay, fluid drawings and politically charged films. Maiolino’s intimate practice explores the transformation of her maternal and migrant identities throughout tumultuous eras. Furthermore, the pieces consider the effects of war on a struggling society and the deteriorating opportunities of a generation. Open until 4 December.
3. Otto Dix and August Sander, Portraying a Nation: Germany 1919-1933, Tate, Liverpool.
Portraying a Nation: Germany 1919–1933 features seminal work from painter Otto Dix (1891–1969) and photographer August Sander (1876–1964). By reflecting upon the citizens of the Weimar Republic – from the bohemian elite to the Nazis and those they persecuted – the pieces narrate an uncertain cultural landscape. From the flourishing cabaret culture to intense poverty and civilian rebellions, both artists highlight the radical extremes of this time. Featuring more than 300 works, Dix’s harshly realist depictions of German society consider the brutalities of war. Equally Sander’s best-known series, People of the Twentieth Century, documents intimate portraits of ordinary people during the interwar years – a period of economic and political upheaval. The figures show traces of a collective historical experience. Until 15 October.
4. Contes D’Images, Clerveux Cite de L’image, Luxembourg.
The outdoor installation Contes D’Images utilises the far-reaching capabilities of the gallery grounds, featuring a range of pieces from Tamas Dezso, Vincent Fournier, Grace Euna Kim, Janne Lehtinen, Corinne Mercadier, Christian Tagliavini, Sascha Weidner and La Conserverie. As triggers for wide-ranging discussions on image narration, these photographs evoke both the imaginary and realistic aspects of form. Documentary styles encounter fiction in the sweeping landscapes of Vincent Fournier; memories and emotions combine to serve the philosophical thinking of Corinne Mercadier and Janne Lehtinen; illustration joins surrealist thinking within images by Tamas Dezso; and a tribute to science reveals poetic and literary references in the sculptural visions of Christian Tagliavini. Separated from all rational logic, the group exhibition attests to numerous realities and multiple visual adventures.
5. Melina Papageorgiou, Burkini, Haus am Kleistpark, Berlin.
Over the past few years, Melina Papageorgiou has made several trips to Doha and Abu Dhabi, documenting women in their burkinis. In this comprehensive and heterogeneous picture series, the Berlin-based photographer narrates the lives of several muslim families. The images feature inhospitable landscapes and poor vegetation, providing insight into the intense climate of exotic regions. Detail-orientated and diaristic in approach, the compositions document the hazy and sun soaked days of summer, whilst challenging existing stereotypes. Floating fabric becomes a study in movement and car windows become frames for distant skyscrapers. Open until 13 August.