Things to do in London this week

What to do and see in London this week, 3rd September to 10th September 2014: the coolest cultural current events in London, as selected by the Culture Whisper team

1. NEGLECTED GENIUS: Elio Petri at the ICA

In Italy, Elio Petri is as revered as Fellini, Pasolini and Antonioni. This ICA season of his work,socially engaged but still lushly cinematic, aims to bring his work to a British audience. From 5th-11th September 2014

2.  FOODIE POP-UP: Grass Roots at Caravan

One of our favourite restaurants, Caravan, is hosting a pop-up event, Grass Roots, in its Exmouth market branch on 8th September (if the evening is warm, ask for a table outside). Expect a ‘feasting menu’ of home-grown, local and seasonal small plates.

3. LAST CHANCE: Matisse Cut-Outs

Matisse’s profound, moving and ravishingly beautiful cut-outs wallop viewers right in the solar plexus, like all great art should. The show closes on Sunday 7th September, and the Tate have added late nights and an all-nighter to meet demand. 

4. ART BLOCKBUSTER: Late Turner at Tate Britain

Turner’s late work famously prefigured Impressionism; this exhibition, subtitled Painting Set Free, takes a landmark look at the sumptuous Romantic imagination of ‘the greatest painter of his age’. 10th September 2014-25th January 2015

5. NEW THEATRE: My Perfect Mind at the Young Vic

According to its lead, well-known theatre star Edward Petherbridge, My Perfect Mind is ‘rather like attending a masterclass on King Lear while under the influence of LSD’. Petherbridge was about to go on stage as Lear when he suffered a severe stroke; this piece of collaborative theatre is based on his experience. 

6. TALK: How to: Scandi-Noir with Saga Norén

Sofia Helin, the Swedish actress who played Saga Norén in The Bridge, will be in conversation with fellow Scandi powerhouse Mariella Frostrup at the How to: Academy on the subject of, what else, Nordic noir on 11th September 2014 at the Emmanuel Centre, SW1. Inspiration for all unstoppable blondes.

7. PURE PLEASURE Horst: Photographer of Style at the V&A

‘Horst,’ according to the New York Times, ‘tamed the avant-garde to serve fashion’. The Vogue photographer’s graphic, abstract yet seductive images are on show at the V&A from 6th September 2014-4th January 2015

8. DON’T MISS: Bill Viola’s Martyrs at St Paul’s

Bill Viola’s ‘mesmerising’ video installation at St Paul’s ‘should silence his critics’ wrote the Observer’s Laura Cumming when the show opened back in May. It runs until 31st December; booking essential.

9.  CLASSICAL: Nicolas Hodges performs Sir Harrison Birtwistle at Wigmore Hall

This concert on 14th September 2014 in honour of Birtwistle’s 80th birthday premieres two new works by the composer, performed by Hodges, one of the most exciting and influential pianists working in contemporary music and classical performance today. 

10. DOCUMENTARY: Finding Fela 

Premiered at Sundance to rave reviews, this powerful documentary from Alex Gibney explores the life and work of the late Nigerian Afrobeat musician and postcolonial political activist. At cinemas from 5th September 2014.

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