September Diary: where to go and what to see

The sun may still be beating down but let’s face it: leaves are falling and summer is on its way out. For all the rainy days ahead the It’s Nice That team have picked the best events, exhibitions, festivals and much more happening in London and around the world. Bookmark now and thank us later.

Björk Digital
Somerset House, London, UK, 1 September — 23 October

Iconic Icelandic musician Björk is bringing Björk Digital — an exhibition of digital and video work — to London’s Somerset House. Incorporating VR technology, Björk Digital intends to “push the boundaries of what is possible in music, art and technology”. Included in the exhibition are Black Lake, Björk’s MoMA-commissioned immersive film, Notget VR, a video work directed by Warren du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones in which Björk becomes a giant digital moth, Stonemilker VR, a 360-degree VR shot on a far-flung Icelandic beach, as well as unseen work by Björk.

Risorama
Protein Studios, London, UK, 3 September

Risorama brings together a collection of national and international artists and printers for a day of fun in risography. Featuring original art books, zines and prints, Risorama will showcase some of the pioneers of the low-fi technique including Risotto, Tan & Loose Press, and Bananafish Books. The exhibition will also feature a selection of new and exclusive editions from Rob Lowe, Rose Blake and Atelier Bingo.

Pyronale
Maifeld, Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany, 9 — 10 September

We’re all pyromaniacs at heart. This September, the best pyrotechnicians in the world will meet at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium for a two-day competition. Competitors will choose pieces of music to accompany highly impressive creative firework displays formulated over many months.

Berlin Art Week
Berlin, Germany, 13 — 18 September

Berlin Art Week commences in the third week of September. Held in venues across the city, the week brings together art, exhibitions film, talks and perfomances. We like the look of photographer Gordan Parks’ I am You exhibition, choreographer Jerome Bel’s Gala and The Present in Drag programme.

Ai Wei Wei: #SafePassage
Foam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 16 September — 7 December

Ai Wei Wei is back, this time at Amsterdam’s Foam gallery, where he will be presenting #SafePassage, a large-scale solo exhibition combining sculpture, photographs and films dedicated to the stranded refugees around the Mediterranean.

John Cage: Lecture on the Weather
Frith Street Gallery, London, UK, 16 September — 17 December

As the American presidential election approaches, Frith Street Gallery and the John Cage Trust have united to create a version of American artist, writer and composer John Cage’s 1975 work Lecture on the Weather.

Originally conceived for either stage or radio, the work will be recreated in Soho’s Frith Street Gallery in a new installation based on a 2007 New York performance of the work featuring Merce Cunningham, Jasper Johns, Leon Botstein, John Ralston Saul, and others.

Clueless
Nina Sagt Galerie, Düsseldorf, Germany, until 17 September

Swedish illustrator Sara Andreasson is having her first solo show, featuring Ellen Dynebrink. Named after the 1995 film, the work explores "unapologetic girliness” and is described as a “full-on femmage to girl culture”. Sara’s illustrations are shown together with three large scale pieces made in collaboration with textile artist Ellen Dynebrink, referencing the protagonists Cher and Dionne’s iconic outfits.

London Design Festival
Venues across London, UK, 17 — 25 September

It’s time for London’s yearly celebration of design, with this year’s branding by Pentagram’s Dominic Lippa created around the theme Design is in the Detail. There’s tons of events, exhibitions and installations to see, and the V&A pieces are always worth a peek — this year design studio Glithero will take over a little-used stairwell with motorised, multi-coloured strings that move like the arms of a clock in an installation called The Green Room. Also Brixton Design Trail is joining the list of districts this year, with the theme Rebel Rebel.

Kai Althoff: and then leave me to the common swifts
MoMA, New York, U.S, 18 September 2016 – 22 January 2017

German artist Kai Althoff is set to show 200 works in an exhibition that will be his first in an American museum. Influenced by expressionism and symbolism, Kai works in multiple mediums including ceramics, weaving, drawing, painting and sculpture. From large scale installations to delicate objects, the show will bring together pieces that span his career.

Turner Prize
Tate Britain, London, UK, 27 September — 2 January 2017

The much talked about art prize is back at the Tate Britain for another year. The exhibition has previously been home to some of British art’s most infamous artworks from Damien Hirst’s formaldehyde-preserved shark to Tracey Emin’s unmade bed. This year’s shortlisted artists are Michael Dean, Anthea Hamilton, Helen Marten and Josephine Pryde. We can’t wait.