Aesthetica 121 October November 2024

Creativity is the heartbeat of our world. It sparks innovation and it is the force that drives change. Yet, it does not exist in isolation and thrives in the spaces between us – those serendipitous encounters and the brave intersections where different perspectives converge. When we open our minds to unexpected collaborations, we allow ourselves to be surprised, challenged and transformed by the ideas of others.

This issue celebrates the power of collaboration by embracing ideation – not as a solitary pursuit, but as a shared journey. Cerith Wyn Evans’ new show Borrowed Light Through Metz, brings together light and sound work to create a visual and aural effect. For nearly 40 years, the artist has explored the limits of perception, and, in the process, called into question the conventions of exhibition-making. Next, we speak with Michael Petry about MirrorMirror, which looks at the ways contemporary artists engage with the concept of identity and self-representation. The book features international artists, including Cindy Sherman, Gillian Wearing, Yayoi Kusama, Zanele Muholi amongst others. Through photography, video, performance and other media, these artists survey issues such as race, gender and technology, reflecting on how the self is constructed, manipulated and perceived in today’s society.

We see the transformative power of imagined architecture in Gestalten’s Living In a Dream, which contemplates the world of artificial design. Next, we speak with curators from Cao Fei’s My City is Yours, which is an invitation into a world of neon, street dance and pop music. Designed by Cao and the Beau Architects of Hong Kong, the exhibition takes the form of an immersive cityscape. It’s a space of play, interaction and reinvention.

In photography we are given access to new worlds through experiments in narrative and form via the work of Bootsy Holler, Brendan George Ko, Carlos Idun-Tawiah, Lotte Ekkel and Onoko, plus our cover photographer Fares Micue. Finally, the Last Words go to Aisha Olamide Seriki at Brighton Photo Fringe.

Cherie Federico (The Editor)