Spanning the story of British advertising, design’s ecological responsibilities and a sculpture show that celebrates the creative lives of women, this month’s cultural diary is chock-a-block. Read on for our round-up of what to see in March 2020.

Langlands & Bell: Degrees of Truth, Sir John Soane’s Museum, London
London-based artists Ben and Nikki Bell explore the relationship between people, architecture and the network of communication that we use to navigate our ever-evolving technological world. The pair have been collaborating since 1978 and have created thought-provoking works including “Traces of Living” (first made in 1986) – an installation of tables and chairs comprising both the rubbish and relics of daily life – and “The House of Osama bin Laden” (2003), a digital recreation of Bin Laden’s former home.

From 4th March these probing creations and others will be installed at Sir John Soane’s Museum, where they will be thrown into conversation with the historic building and its collection of art and antiquities. Degrees of Truth will shine a light on the disparity between the stories that images, objects and architecture intend to tell and those they unintentionally reveal.

Formafantasma: Cambio, Serpentine Sackler Gallery, London
The Serpentine kicks off a new phase in its programme with an exhibition by Italian-born, Amsterdam-based Formafantasma. The duo explores design’s ecological and political responsibilities while investigating industries – in this case the timber industry – that make use of the world’s natural resources. Cambio presents an ongoing study into the way in which wood products (from furniture to fertilisers) are sourced, manufactured and distributed.

As the Serpentine turns its attention to radical approaches to design – and develops a platform for those who combine the discipline with art and research – this exhibition calls into question what design can do to convert a budding environmental awareness into an informed response.

The Art of Advertising, Bodleian Libraries, Oxford
Advertising is about more than putting products in front of a potential customer. It also reflects societal shifts and attitudes, as the Guardian’s recent decision to ban adverts from fossil fuels extractors shows.

A new exhibition at the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford tells the tale of British advertising through a range of cards, posters and other items produced between the mid-18th century and the 1930s. Drawing on its sprawling and highly significant collection of printed ephemera, the Bodleian will highlight first-rate examples of commercial art and illustrations, as well as what they say about the world then and now.

Joana Vasconcelos, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
A giant ring created from golden car wheel rims, a pair of oversized stilettos fashioned from stainless-steel saucepans and a hulking heart comprising red plastic cutlery: Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos’s monumental sculptures are made up of pre-existing objects and tackle serious issues in today’s society with a wry smile.

Her largest-ever show in the UK opens at Yorkshire Sculpture Park on 7th March and features more than 25 works that examine and applaud the creative lives of women. Using crochet, household appliances and other items associated with craft and domesticity, Vasconcelos exposes cultural traditions and common preconceptions about femininity.

Barnett Freedman: Designs for Modern Britain, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
For those of you who haven’t yet visited Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, now is your chance. The first major exhibition of pioneering artist Barnett Freedman will open on 14th March, and will trace his life and career, from his modest beginnings in east London to his rise to become one of the UK’s most sought-after book illustrators and commercial designers in the mid-20th century. Via book jackets and beer adverts, London Underground posters and more, Freedman brought art to the masses – whether in the post office or down the pub.

Royal Academy Architecture Awards Week, Royal Academy, London
The Royal Academy’s annual architecture awards showcase individuals who are paving the way when it comes to the spaces and structures in which we live, work and play – and it’s accompanied by a week of events.

The celebrations begin with a discussion between this year’s winner, the Spanish artist and sculptor Cristina Iglesias, and architect Norman Foster. Also part of the programme is a sound-and-space workshop led by Thai architect Boonserm Premthada, a talk about the importance of empowering young people to participate in shaping their urban environment and an evening of film screenings, installations, music and more.