Tag: Somerset House London

Mushrooms at Somerset House: The Art, Design and Future of Fungi

Beatrix Potter, Hygrophorus puniceus, pencil and watercolour, 7.10.1894,

This right here is the kind of work that sets Somerset House apart and makes for January 2020’s next exhibition you need to see. Doesn’t matter if you take them, cook them or eat them, the humble ‘shroom is a wealth of point of interest, all its own. This exhibition explores that in all its glory, from the mind and talent of curator and writer Francesca Gavin. Through the work of over 40 artists, designers and musicians, Mushrooms celebrates the rich legacy and incredible potential of the remarkable fungus, the ideas it inspires in the poetic, spiritual and psychedelic, and the powerful promise it offers to combat the human devastation of the planet. Throughout the exhibition, international artists will delve into their take on the concept of the mushroom, spanning large-scale sculpture, hand-cut collage, painting, drawing, photography, film and performance. The incredible versatility of mushrooms is also explored in new, conceptual pieces from designers working across architecture, furniture and fashion, including a 3D-printed mycelium chair from Eric Klarenbeek, light shades and stools from Sebastian Cox and Ninela Ivanova, and mushroom based textiles. It all goes down on 31 January 2020 to 26 April 2020. See more at the Somerset House website.

Cut Copy and London’s Somerset House Summer Series takes over the West End

Somerset House Cut Copy

Across eleven nights of open-air gigs, Somerset House Summer Series with American Express will be pumping out music, food and drinks and good vibes, while the sun’s in the sky and everyone’s mood is high. The Series is all about bringing a vibrant festival atmosphere to the very heart of London with a programme of pioneering musicians across a range of genres For example, on Friday 19 July, Melbourne band Cut Copy will take to the stage right in the middle of Somerset House, serving up some of the band’s latest work, an entirely new flavour all their own. “Shaking off some of the Balearic and acid house leanings heard on older releases, their new tracks favour Afrobeat textures, dubby rhythm sections and sweeping disco synths with an upbeat, effervescent tone that reflects their Melbourne origins,” says Somerset House. Summer Series gives music fans a live experience unlike any other, with the rare chance to see critically acclaimed artists plus some of the best up and coming performers in a spectacular yet intimate setting. Before Cut Copy, London was looking at the likes of Nao, Sons of Kemet, Jacob Banks and Rosalia + Badgirl$. See the full line-up here. The series ends on 21 July, so get in quickly, or sign up to Somerset House’s newsletter for when they do it again.

LONDON: Immigration and Modern Britain – The Kaleidoscope exhibition at Somerset House

Somerset House Kaleidoscope

There’s a new exhibition that puts Britain’s relationship with the rest of the world and its nationalities on the map, so to speak. It’s going down at Somerset House, right in the heart of London and it’s called Kaleidoscope; exploring the identity of immigration in modern Britain. The exhibition will contain stills and video, showcasing the works of ten photographers born or based in Britain, many with family origins abroad including Hong Kong, India, Jamaica and Russia. It’ll explore what it means and how it feels to live as an immigrant, or a descendent of immigrants, in Britain today. It all stems from personal experiences to evoke some sort of emotion in visitors to the exhibition and tell the story of a nation’s wide and varied multiculturalism. Think stories of the struggles of asylum seekers and stories of second and third generation immigrants in forms that are as moving as they are engaging, all presented in the striking environs of Somerset House. See the Kaleidoscope exhibition from 12 June to 8 September 2019 on Sat – Tues, 10.00 – 18.00, Wed – Fri, 11.00 – 20.00, except for 11 – 21 July and 8 – 21 August, when daily opening hours are 10.00 – 18.00. Get tickets from the Somerset House website.

What to see at Somerset House London: Get Up, Stand Up Now

Somerset House Get Up

Celebrating generations of Black Creative Pioneers, the new exhibition at Somerset House, right in the heart of London, will put on a showcase of art, film and photography. There’ll be 100 artists represented, whose work will be presented to articulate and address the black experience and sensibility from the post-war era to the present day. The whole collection will showcase works and new commissions alongside items from personal archives, much of which has never been seen before. The whole thing has been curated by acclaimed artist Zak Ové, who’s invited each artist to exhibit on account of their significant contribution to shaping the cultural landscape.  You’ll see works from the likes of Zak and Horace Ove, Armet Francis, Charlie Phillips, Sonia Boyce and Steve McQueen and many more. See more of what’s on at the Somerset House website.

See the Chihuly exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens in London

Somerset House London

Over 33 nights this season at sunset, fans of Dale Chihuly – a glass sculptor artist – will be able to view some of his best work at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. Showing the works in a new light, transposed against the illuminated Unesco world heritage site, the Chihuly Nights (13 April – 27 October) event kicks off in August and will kick off with specially curated music that responds to artworks, including improvised live performances from internationally acclaimed artists. It’s all about celebrating the artwork of Chihuly in a completely new light, through an exclusive after-dark experience with food, drink, and music. See more of what’s on specifically at the Kew Gardens website.