One of the most thrilling discoveries is someone who is breaking new ground and embodying the word “innovation.” It’s important to look at both established and emerging artists that are the driving force behind this type of progress. At Aesthetica, we are interested in people who are experimenting while stepping outside of the everyday. We want to engage with works that challenge us and change perspective.

This issue of Aesthetica focuses on the idea of the unconventional. It’s a celebration of practitioners who are experimenting in their field by working in interdisciplinary ways and introducing concepts from other areas of art and design into their work. It’s this cross-pollination and Zeitgeist that reinvigorates the way people are experiencing the world. We take a look at Anne Collier’s show at MCA Chicago and how she is critiquing commercial photography, autobiography and the act of looking. Frank Gehry’s surreal architecture is explored in a major retrospective at Centre Pompidou. The nature of lighting design and how the electric light has revolutionised our environment is discussed in Lightopia, which is currently on at the Design Museum Gent. Sculptor and conceptual artist Reiner Ruthenbeck contemplates the geometric form at London’s Serpentine Galleries.

Photographers Emily Shur and Joël Tettamanti explore structures and location in their series, while Todd Hido captures light in an atmospheric way. The rising stars of Swedish photography are surveyed as the spotlight shines on Sweden’s latest talent, and we also present an overview of the seminal work of Guy Bourdin’s provocative fashion photography. Eugenio Recuenco uses narrative devices to create dramatic and powerful images. Much in the same way, Bryn Higgins’s film Electricity tells an affecting story of self-discovery, with a highly visual and encompassing narrative. Also, there is an opportunity for you to watch films from this year’s Aesthetica Short Film Festival. Finally, the last words go to Julie Cockburn who is using found photography in new and exciting ways.