What's On June 2023: Canadian Culture in the UK
It’s nearly the midway mark of the year, and things are still winding up. After a month with an abundance of bank holidays, we trust you've had ample time to recharge and are now poised to immerse yourself in the very essence of Canadian culture. As we approach the pinnacle of Canadian festivities on Canada Day, June unveils a breathtaking array of contemplative art exhibitions showcasing the works of esteemed Canadian artists, captivating talks delivered by a renowned Canadian astronaut, unforgettable concerts, and an unparalleled Canada Day celebration—one that rivals even the grandest festivities within the Canadian borders. Read on to see where to get your fix of Canadian culture in the UK this month.
On earth and space: Chris Hadfield's guide to the COSMOS, various locations
15 June 2023
From Plymouth to Dublin, Canadian astronaut and author Chris Hadfield will be giving a talk about the new frontiers of outer space, along with book signings of his bestseller The Apollo Murders. For those who are curious about space travel, and who seek thrills beyond our earthbound reality, explore the cosmos with a seasoned professional.
Zachari Logan, Wildman No. 3, blue pencil on mylar, 22x40 inches, 2013. Saskatchewan Arts Board Permanent Collection. Image courtesy of the Artist.
Zachari Logan: Unkraut vergeht nicht, MOCA London
11 June - July 2023
Saskatchewan-based artist Zachari Logan returns to the UK this month for a solo show at MOCA London, where his Nomenclature series extends beyond paper to mark the walls of the gallery. Plants transmute into figures in his incisive commentary on queer bodies, taxonomy, and societal mimicry of nature, revealing the resilience of that which has been pushed to the margins. Read our interview with Zachari from last year, where he gives an in-depth portrayal of his multi-faceted practice.
The Weeknd, Etihad Stadium, Manchester
10 June 2023
Torontonian music sensation The Weeknd will be gracing the Manchester stage in June as a part of his After Hours Til Dawn tour. The multi-Grammy and Juno-winning musician has seen staggering success with his unconventional yet endlessly catchy tunes that mix hip-hop with pop, tied together with his signature singing talents. This summer is your chance to experience in person the reasons why The Weeknd has enjoyed such an impressive amount of accolades. And for those who won’t be able to make it to Manchester in June, you’ll be glad to know that his tour continues in the UK in July.
Lotus Laurie Kang: In Cascades, Chisenhale Gallery, London
2 June - 30 July 2023
Toronto-based artist Lotus Laurie Kang will be debuting her first solo exhibition in Europe at Chisenhale Gallery in London with a major new commission, In Cascades. Threading through deeply researched theoretical study and lived phenomena, her work coalesces as an installation of found and made bodies, objects that reveal impermanence and vulnerability inherent to all physical matter, so changeable by the forces that swirl invisibly around them.
Still Tho: Aesthetic Survival in Hip-Hop's Visual Art, Canada Gallery, London
15 Jun - 23 Sep 2023
With the likes of Drake, k-os, and the above-mentioned Weeknd, Canadian hip-hop’s impact undeniably has a global reach which has changed the trajectory of music history for good. In celebration of the visual art that has shaped the particular aesthetics and culture around Canadian hip-hop, Still Tho: Aesthetic Survival in Hip-Hop's Visual Art at Canada House Gallery presents a collection of works from over a dozen artists to explore the resilience and influence of hip-hop through the ages. Learn more about the exhibition with a curator tour from its previous iteration at the Âjagemô exhibition space in Ottawa.
Serpentine Pavilion 2023 by Lina Ghotmeh, Serpentine Galleries, London
9 June - 29 October 2023
French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh was, amongst her many accolades, the 2021-2022 Frank Gehry International Visiting Chair in Architectural Design at the University of Toronto. This year, she reveals her design, À table, for the Serpentine Pavilion in Hyde Park, a call to sit at the table together in a bid for kinship amongst all earthly matter, over the shared occasion of food and discourse. It continues Lina’s interest in sustainability, not just in the sense of low-carbon emissions, but also in tandem with the lived environment that is inhabited by a multitude of beings, both human and otherwise.
The Canada Day London Festival at Trafalgar Square, London
29 June 2023
If you get homesick around this time of year, as Canada Day celebrations start gearing up across the pond, you’re in for a treat: the Canada Day London Festival is the biggest Canada Day celebration outside of Canada. Teeming with mouthwatering Canadian specialities, performances by Canadian talent, and activities for those of all ages, it’s the perfect day to celebrate all things Canadian at the iconic location of Trafalgar Square, next to Canada House. And don’t be confused - you are right, Canada Day is always and officially July 1……but the festivities in Trafalgar Square are on June 29th. See our story about this elsewhere in this month’s newsletter!