December Cultural Diary: this month's must-see exhibitions and events
December is a month of celebrations, and we’re picking our own path through the festivities with the must-see exhibitions and events below. As we move from autumn to winter we’re looking at the shifting natural landscape outside, which has inspired our selections below.
1. Rakesprogress Pop Up at 13 Floral Street, London
We’re big fans of Rakesprogress magazine – a curated, contemporary look at the natural world – and are excited about their inaugural pop up event, taking place in Covent Garden until 31 January 2018. Highlights include a photography exhibition of designer Christian Louboutin’s garden, a talk by botanical installation artist Rebecca Louise Law and a natural perfumery workshop.
2. Richard Long: Drawn from the Land at Derby Museums
Staying with the natural world theme, British land artist Richard Long is the subject of a new exhibition opening this month at Derby Museums. Long creates work based on the action of walking in the natural landscape, and it takes on a particular significance against the backdrop of Derby and the Peak District.
3. Near the Wind at The Photographers’ Gallery, London
The Photographers’ Gallery’s latest exhibition explores the remote Scottish islands of Orkney and Shetland in winter, through the lens of two acclaimed Finnish photographers, Pentti Sammallahi and Kristoffer Albrecht. Preoccupied with nature, silence, sea and isolation, the images offer a beautifully considered alternative look at the rural landscape of the British Isles.
4. REPLICA at The Aram Gallery, London
The Aram Gallery showcases the work of innovative emerging designers, with this exhibition presenting the experimental work of Studio Furthermore. Inspired by the rocks, earth and mineral ores of Iceland, their fascinating pieces are made using unique methods developed by the studio, which they refer to as the ‘lost foam’ process.
5. Christmas Wreath Workshop with Urban Flower Co, London
This independent north London botanical flower and plant studio runs its coveted Christmas Wreath workshops every year. The studio is known for a love of texture and tone, and a distinctive unstructured style, so its workshops are a chance to get creative with assistance from an expert.
6. Christmas Makers Market at Benk + Bo, London
An eco-system of a different sort, Benk + Bo is an exciting new creative space opening next year in east London. The project is designed to balance creativity, wellness, food and events, and provide a hub for like-minded people to meet, work and socialise. From 9-10 December, the space will host a feel-good festive market by some of London’s most exciting makers, including paper florists Pom Pom Factory, Love Me Not apothecary studio, Grain & Knot wood carving, and SkandiHus ceramics. There’ll also be mulled wine, Scandinavian food, live music and baked treats by head baker Julien Valmier.
Read more: Feast Your Eyes: six beautiful dining rooms perfect for any festive dinner
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