Post Pop: East Meets West - reviews of 'bonkers' art show
Saatchi Gallery show on the global influence of Pop Art is 'fun, noisy and downright nutty'
What you need to know
A new exhibition of international contemporary art, Post Pop: East Meets West, has opened at the Saatchi Gallery, London. The exhibition explores the lasting influence of the 20th century Pop Art movement on art around the world, focusing on Pop-influenced work made over the past 40 years in the US, UK, the former Soviet Union and China.
The show features over 250 works by 112 artists including Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, Ai Weiwei, AES +F, Oleg Kulik, Gary Hume and Julian Opie, and compares and contrasts their use of imagery from mass culture sources including commercial advertising, news and political propaganda. Runs until 23 February.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What the critics like
There are "many intriguing, disconcerting and occasionally downright nutty moments" in this bonkers art-department-store exhibition, says Mark Hudson in the Daily Telegraph. You stagger out struck by a sense that nowadays art the world over is big, colourful, noisily entertaining and pretty much devoid of subtlety.
This "a refreshingly unprescriptive show", totally unrepressed by today's idea of cool, says Jonathan Jones in The Guardian. Like our time, this exhibition is fun, shocking and finally too much, but it's the best survey of contemporary art in any London gallery right now.
Much of the non-Western art remains little known in London but it "sheds light on the international allure of pop art", says Ben Luke in the Evening Standard. The Pop-inspired work from communist and former communist countries is surprising - wonkier, less polished and its aims are often very different - but what links it all is the artists' attempts to capture everyday stuff around them.
What they don't like
Not all of the work is likeable, but this is where we are and how we live, says Jonathan Jones in The Guardian. "The market pours forth wonders until they pall."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Italian senate passes law allowing anti-abortion activists into clinics
Under The Radar Giorgia Meloni scores a political 'victory' but will it make much difference in practice?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published