Hit the road on a journey down America’s highways
The US network of highways, byways and back roads gave rise to a unique type of roadside architecture and advertising. It is this landscape that was photographed in all its kitsch glory by John Margolies, who took images of art deco cinemas, lonely main streets, street signs and motels with oddball themes. This collection is now on display in Detroit. Margolies spent several decades criss-crossing America and was interested in the individuality of small towns in an increasingly commercialised world. He was also fascinated by quirks of architecture that others did not find engaging and his photographs show an America that was about to disappear for ever. Roadside America: Through the Lens of John Margolies runs at the Henry Ford Museum until January 24. For more information visit www.thehenryford.org.
What the Ringstrasse can tell us about Vienna
The Ringstrasse is a circular road around Vienna, on which many classical buildings and palaces were built in the late 19th century to showcase the power and grandeur of the Hapsburg empire. An interesting exhibition in the Austrian capital, marking the 150th anniversary of the road's opening, explores the early years of its construction and the city's artistic output at this time. A focus is placed on Gustav Klimt, whose early paintings are on display, along with works from the Carl Rahl school of history painting and pieces from Hans Makart. Another highlight of this show is that the art and sculpture is not viewed in isolation – it sheds light also on the collectors and patrons who made the scene such a rich one. Klimt and the Ringstrasse runs at the Belvedere Palace and Museum in Vienna until October 11. For more information visit www.belvedere.at.
How the spice trade led to a flowering of the arts
The spice trade between Europe and Asia was not just about commerce, it also led to a flowering of artistic and cultural interaction between the East and West. This exhibition in Australia examines the enduring legacy of this international trade, through 300 rarely-seen works of art, including ceramics, paintings, furniture, metalware, prints and textiles from across the globe. Highlights of the show are its collection of Christian artworks, which were created in Goa and Nagasaki, two pieces from the collection of Queen Adelaide, who died in 1849, and a trove of objects recovered from the Batavia, a ship which sank off the coast of Australia in the 17th century. Treasure Ships: Art in the Age of Spices runs at the Art Gallery of South Australia until August 30. For more information visit www.artgallery.sa.gov.au.