Area 51
April 3
Sotheby’s Geneva
On April 3, Sotheby’s and the watch magazine “heist-out” are teaming up for the second time to host an immersive auction in Geneva, coinciding with the annual Watches and Wonders fair. While last year’s event was an underground sale staged in a wine cave, this year’s takes off with the idea of UFOs and, consequently, watches that are out of this world. It is a one- of-a-kind experience that brings together the watch-collecting community.
"Following the success of our Rough Diamonds sale in 2024, this year’s heist-out x Sotheby’s auction on April 3 shifts to a UFO theme, focusing on delivering an unparalleled client experience. The event draws inspiration from the mystery of UFOs, offering collectors the chance to explore bold and imaginative timepieces with futuristic materials and unique designs. More than just a transaction, the auction aims to immerse collectors in a creative, engaging atmosphere. By combining a quirky alien-inspired narrative with extraordinary watches, the goal is to create a memorable one-of-a-kind experience that pushes the boundaries of traditional auctions." –Geoff Hess
David Hockney 25
April 9-August 31
Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris
fondationlouisvuitton.fr
This David Hockney retrospective will take over all of the Fondation Louis Vuitton’s exhibition spaces and span his career, from his early works in the 1950s and 1960s that brought him international acclaim—such as “Portrait of My Father” (1955) and “A Bigger Splash” (1967)—to his latest creations. Displaying a wide selection of painting, photography, drawing and digital pieces, the show will demonstrate Hockney’s skills in a variety of media and explore recurring themes, such as portraits, swimming pools and nature. Visitors can expect to see his large-scale artworks depicting the Grand Canyon, the Yorkshire countryside and Normandy’s seasons. The show also interweaves historical and cultural works that have influenced Hockney, from painting to opera.
"A David Hockney exhibition always draws a crowd. His 2017 retrospective at the Tate Britain was the gallery’s most visited exhibition in its then 120-year history. While attendance numbers are not a universally accurate guide for artistic merit, in this case, they reflect the exceptional breadth and scale of Hockney’s contributions across his seven-decade career. One throughline in this story is the artist’s ceaseless interest in experimentation. Given his direct involvement in assembling this latest retrospective, I look forward to seeing what he has in store for us at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris." –Andre Zlattinger
Cartier
April 12-November 16
V&A South Kensington, London
vam.ac.uk
The Victoria and Albert Museum presents the first U.K. exhibition in almost 30 years to be dedicated to the French jewelry house. The display of more than 350 objects will explore the company’s legacy since the turn of the 20th century, including precious jewelry, watches and clocks, as well as previously unseen drawings from the archives. With so many royal clients, Cartier became known as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers,” and the show will include works loaned by King Charles III from the Royal Collection.
"A dedicated Cartier exhibition is always a wonderful highlight for jewelry enthusiasts because the house shares its own treasures, and private lenders are enthused to show jewels that otherwise largely live in bank vaults. One of the joys for me personally is seeing pieces that I have held, valued and sold during my tenure at Sotheby’s—it is like a reunion with old friends and an introduction to new ones. Among institutions around the world, the V&A is fantastic at creating interactive conversations between objects and all visitors. The Fondation Cartier will soon be moving to a new building designed by Jean Nouvel on the Place du Palais-Royal, so 2025 is set to be another historic year for the company." –Andres White Correal
Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers
April 18-January 18, 2026
Guggenheim Museum, New York
guggenheim.org
The title of Rashid Johnson’s new show at New York’s Guggenheim Museum takes its name from a poem by the American writer and activist Amiri Baraka that reflects the artist’s wide-ranging inspirations.
Johnson’s largest exhibition to date unfolds across the museum’s rotunda with works that span pivotal phases of his career, beginning with his early explorations of photography, video and installation in the 2000s, and culminating with recent paintings and assemblages that incorporate different materials. The rotunda floor will act as a stage, featuring a piano for an accompanying program of performances, while a monumental site-specific work titled “Sanguine” takes over the building’s top ramp.
"Rashid Johnson’s ability to brilliantly draw from a variety of sources, ranging from art history and philosophy to literature and music, is impressive, and I am excited to see the Guggenheim’s iconic rotunda activated by nearly 90 examples from his diverse body of work. Having curated the mid-career survey of Francesco Clemente at the Guggenheim in 1999-2000, I appreciate a mid-career retrospective as a powerful measure of the artist’s work to date and a forecast of the work to come. This will be an unparalleled opportunity to deep dive into the practice of one of the most important artists working today." –Lisa Dennison
40th anniversary of Air Jordan sneakers
April
nike.com
One of the most famous sneaker designs in history is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The first pair of Air Jordans was produced by Nike in 1984 for the American basketball star Michael Jordan while he was on the Chicago Bulls team. The distinctive red-and-black shoes created by Peter Moore, Tinker Hatfield and Bruce Kilgore famously cost Nike $5,000 in fines each time Jordan wore them on court because they broke the NBA’s strict uniform policy. Air Jordan 1s were released to the public in April 1985 and sold out, and the legendary design remains incredibly popular today. Nike is re-releasing many vintage models of the shoe as well as new collaborations with the likes of renowned crystal maker Swarovski throughout the anniversary year.
"Every day, I recognize the profound impact of the Air Jordan brand, especially as we celebrate its 40th anniversary. This milestone not only honors a revolutionary sneaker but also highlights its cultural significance in sport, fashion and art. Air Jordans have transcended mere footwear, becoming coveted collectibles that represent innovation and nostalgia. Each pair tells a story of athletic excellence and creative expression, igniting passion among collectors worldwide. As we reflect on four decades of influence, we also look to the brand’s future, which promises to inspire new generations of sneaker enthusiasts and collectors alike." –Brahm Wachter
Salone Internazionale del Mobile
April 8-13
Fiera Milano Rho, Milan
salonemilano.it
The world’s leading international event for the furnishing and design industry is back for its 63rd edition. The fair, which was established in 1961, enables even the smallest businesses to reach a wide audience. The fair’s 2024 edition drew record numbers of visitors, welcoming more than 370,000 people, as well as nearly 2,000 exhibitors from 35 countries.
Maria Helena Vieira da Silva: Anatomy of Space
April 12-September 15
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice
guggenheim-venice.it
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice presents a selection of paintings showing the Portuguese artist Maria Helena Vieira da Silva’s (1908-92) continuously evolving deployment of abstract forms and optical illusions. The exhibition traces the artist’s output from the 1930s to the late 1980s, while considering her relationship with urban architecture and the role of memory and play in her work.
Expo 2025
April 13-October 13
Osaka, Japan
expo2025.or.jp
Held every five years, the Expo brings together people and innovators from around the world in an effort to address the big issues facing humankind. The Osaka Expo 2025 includes initiatives from 150 countries and 25 international organizations under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” looking at how we can save, empower and connect lives. This edition is using augmented and virtual reality to enable people to experience the exhibition online.
Banner: Portrait of Rashid Johnson, New York, 2024. Joshua Woods.
