ANDY WARHOL - FROM A TO B AND BACK AGAIN

Many will remember the NGV’s Andy Warhol — Ai Weiwei exhibition, which took a comparative look at the oft-parallel works of two colourful, controversial minds from different zeitgeists.

The Whitney Museum of American Art brings us a more thorough, A to Z - or should we say, A to B to back again - retrospective look at Warhol’s life and works, with everything from iconic recognisable works such as his Self-Portraits and Campbell's Soup Cans, to sketches and television interview clips cut together.

Is the exhibition made that much more poignant by being shown in Warhol’s famed stomping ground of New York City? Undeniably.

WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
ADULTS $25, STUDENTS $18
ENDS MAR 31 2019
10.30AM - 6.00PM

INTRODUCING: MORE THAN MAKEUP

Like any art medium, makeup is one that can take a variety of forms…

Abstract or traditional, explorative of shape, texture, line and form within the framework of the human face and body. With Instagram and Youtube heralding a new age of beauty communities and gurus, there is an entire realm of makeup artists and their portfolios begging to be gazed upon with the kind of awe-stricken wonder usually reserved for Picassos or Remembrandts. Is it too much of a stretch to compare this new wave of creative youth to some of history’s greatest artists? Or is it remiss to look past what is undoubtedly the future of our artistic landscape, embroidered with references to great moments in history, of not only art but identity and culture?

From left to right, top to bottom;
@morgane.nicolas, @rachelkarinaart, @nadineartistry, @xohighglo, @yakubgodgave, @coolgirlswearmugler

BEACHSIDE

DOWN AT THE BEACHSIDE, AN UNGODLY SIREN EMERGES FROM THE SHALLOWS.

SEA MONSTER OR BEACH VIXEN?

SHOT BY BRIANNAGH O’LOUGHLIN

CHECK OUT BRIANNAGH'S WORK HERE AND HERE

PAPA EAST

Thank you so much to Papa East for sending me over these gorgeous trinkets!

I had so much fun taking photos in them and letting my inner etheral angel out to play - stars, silver and sparkle were clearly the theme in mind.

Make sure to use my code EllieNik10 for a 10% discount

(Full disclosure, I don't make any money off this code!)

THE POLITICALLY-CHARGED GRAFFITI OF ATHENS

Greece’s economic struggles have been widely publicised world-over for a number of years now, and the financial hardship has obviously affected society in the country’s capital of Athens.

 

With a surging underground scene of artists, writers and musicians, the oft-polarising, always-tenuous debates about what’s best for the country take centre stage in local art regardless of medium. Though one particular medium - street art and graffiti - stands out above the rest.

Using the very brick and mortar infrastructure of the city as it’s canvas, the movement wields power in it’s confronting presentation. No innocent tourist is safe from the hard truth; walking down Athens’ most popular streets does not occur without constant reminders that the ancient country is battling now more than ever to keep it’s head above the water.

ELIAN CHALI - MOLESTIA

Tucked away in a Friedrichshain side street is Berlin's BC Gallery, a cosy two-storey art space housing high-end urban and contemporary art. For the latter part of 2017 and the beginning of the new year, Argentinian artist Elian Chali’s minimalist experiments with space and shape took centre stage, using bright primary colours and organic geometric shapes to disrupt - or in Chali’s words, “annoy” - our comfortable ideas of form, medium and art.

Being his first solo show in five years, the established Chali’s Molestia makes for a strong resurgence, having exhibited in shows both group and solo a numerous amount throughout the past decade, but this time making his solo debut in Europe. With works that interacted in an almost conversational way with their environment, Molestia is an experience in and of itself for those fortunate enough to find themselves wandering Friedrichshain on a rainy Friday.

BC GALLERY
FREE ADMISSION
ENDS FEB 24 2018
1.00PM - 6.00PM WEDS - SAT

BERLIN...WITHOUT THE CLUBS AND BARS

It's not unusual for people to head to Berlin specifically for it's nightlife, and while it's commonly known as the best destination in the world for those seeking that sort of thing out, it often means that much of Berlin's colourful history and rich artistic culture is swept under the rug and left forgotten by 20-something techno-heads. Which, when you think about it, is a little sad - the city has a magnitude to offer outside of it's famously vibrant nightlife. And so, that's exactly what we did - we did our trip to Berlin without going to a single bar or nightclub, and had an incredible time.

Free Walking Tour

Famous world-over, Sandeman's New Europe Tours do a particularly amazing walking tour in Berlin, surely thanks in part to the fact that a lot of the most important sites to see in the city are within close and walkable proximity. Start your first day in Berlin with this one, giving you the chance to gain your bearings in the city and soak up and appreciate the historical landmarks that form the backdrop for so much of the art and lifestyle of the city you see today.

Burgermeister

Like most of Berlin’s hotspots, Burgermeister is housed in a space that once catered to something wildly different to it's current-day use. Burgers and beers, in this case, have taken over a space once inhabited by train station bathrooms. And, as one of Berlin's top 10 restaurants, you surely can't go wrong.

East Side Gallery

As it's not as central as most of Berlin's other popular sightseeing destinations, the famous East Side Gallery is worth a visit of it's own. Find your favourite iconic murals for a quick flick, and as you walk, enjoy a moment to reflect on the powerful underlying values that the wall's remnants now represent.

Urban Spree Galerie

In summer the larger Urban Spree area may be overflowing with activity, but that doesn’t mean you should give it a miss in winter - there's always great art exhibitions and a great store stocking prints and books by artists both international and local.

Small Contemporary Art Spaces

Walking around Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Neukölln is your best bet for this one. Most galleries welcome photography in case you're looking to document your favourite pieces, or spice up your Instagram to ensure people know how artistically inclined and sophisticated you are - hey, I'm not judging.

Shopping

Voo Store is the Berliner hypebeast's dream, stocking everything from Marni and Proenza Schouler to MM6 and the newest Nikes. It’s also great for a coffee stop, with plenty of reading material à la fashion publications also available.