Welcome to the latter half of the summer, a time when galleries across Europe are vying for your attention. From body art at Tate Modern in London to the takeover of a 500-year-old Venetian institution, August offers many excuses to plan a cultural getaway. Here are five standouts.
Correspondences, Luma Arles, until November 8
This collaboration between Patti Smith and the members of Soundwalk Collective — led by Stephan Crasneanscki and Simone Merli — brings together a decade of shared work. The immersive installation spans sound, film and poetry: two new commissions, along with Smith’s drawings, photographs, handwritten texts and archival installations. A collection of films moves between themes including the worldwide wildfires, the aftermath of Chernobyl and endangered wild animals, wrestling with ecological crises, artistic responsibility and the future of the earth.
Notting Hill Carnival: A Cultural Celebration, Somerset House, London, 13–21 August
Bringing the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival indoors, Somerset House presents an exploration of one of London’s most iconic cultural events. The exhibition traces the history and evolution of Carnival, from its roots in Caribbean diaspora communities to its place at the heart of the city’s cultural calendar. Through photography, costume, sound and archival material, the show captures the energy, resistance, and creativity of this summer event — a living, evolving practice that continues to shape London’s cultural identity while honouring its origins in resilience and collective expression.
Richard Dadd: Beyond Bedlam, Royal Academy of Arts, London, until 25 October
This retrospective at the Royal Academy revisits one of Britain’s most singular artistic voices. Richard Dadd, the Victorian painter best known for his scenes of fairies and mythical subjects, made most of his works while institutionalised in a psychiatric ward. Bringing together around 60 works, the exhibition reveals compositions of literary references and imagined landscapes. While his work is rooted in Victorian culture, it anticipates later surrealist and fantastical traditions, influencing writers, artists and musicians across generations. This exhibition repositions a radical innovator whose vision has influenced art and culture.
Marina Abramović: Transforming Energy, Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice, until 18 October
Also 80 this year, Marina Abramović returns to Venice with a landmark exhibition, staged within the historic Gallerie dell’Accademia. Her work is presented in dialogue with the museum’s Renaissance collection, creating a striking encounter between past and present. The exhibition revisits some of Abramović’s most significant works, including Rhythm 0 (1974), the six-hour endurance performance where she gave control of her body to the audience. At its core are the artist’s ‘Transitory Objects’ — sculptural forms made from materials such as stone and crystal. Visitors are invited to sit, stand or lie with them, transforming spectatorship into participation and activating what Abramović describes as an exchange of energy.
Ana Mendieta, Tate Modern, London, until 17 January 2027
This major UK exhibition offers a focus on the work of 20th-century Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta, bringing together iconic pieces alongside newly restored films and rarely seen works. Best known for her Silueta Series, Mendieta used natural materials — earth, fire, water and flowers — to create fleeting imprints of the body in the landscape. These works were preserved through photography and film. Expanding beyond these pieces, the exhibition includes early paintings and later sculptural works, offering a fuller view of her practice. Extending into outdoor spaces, it also reflects her deep, enduring connection to the natural world.
