Top Things to do in London this Spring

Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence

Closes Sunday, 22 September 2024
Where: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL

The V&A's latest exhibition, "Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence," dives into the fascinating evolution of Modernist architecture in India and colonial West Africa, showcasing its adaptation and reinvention by local architects post-independence. Highlighted is the story of Nek Chand, a self-taught Indian architect, who single-handedly built the Rock Garden in Chandigarh out of waste materials, creating a vivid contrast to the city's Le Corbusier-designed government buildings. The exhibition offers a complex narrative of power, freedom, and the blend of modernity with craft, tracing the architectural journey of India and Ghana from colonial rule to independence.

Rong Bao is Me

When: 23 Feb - 12 May 2024
Where: Saatchi Gallery, GALLERY 4

Rong Bao Is Me pays testament to Bao’s playful transformation of familiar objects through sculptural practice, prompting us to question our perception of the physical world. The exhibition will invite sensory interactions between audience and artwork, creating a playground of gestures that poke fun at the absurdity of imposing order on society. Viewers should prepare to connect with their mischievous sides and participate in a world that pushes the boundaries of acceptability.

Unravel. The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art

When: Tue 13 Feb — Sun 26 May 2024
Where: Barbican, Art Gallery

This significant exhibition showcases 50 international artists using textiles to challenge power structures and explore human experiences. Textiles, embodying protection, memory, and identity, become a canvas for expressing themes of violence, imperialism, and exclusion, as well as resilience, love, and hope. Through a range of works from intimate pieces to large-scale installations, the artists weave together narratives that reflect on the complexities of power, resistance, and survival, reimagining the world through the lens of fabric and thread.

Suspended States

When: 12 April – 1 September 2024
Where: Serpentine Gallery, Art Gallery

"Suspended States," a solo exhibition by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, returns to Serpentine South from 12 April to 1 September 2024, marking his first London solo show in over 20 years. This exhibition, coinciding with his Venice Biennale presentation, features significant new works like "Sanctuary City" and "War Library." Shonibare revisits themes of colonialism, migration, and the environment, offering a profound exploration of public sculptures and urban narratives.

When Forms Come Alive

When: When: 7 Feb– 6 May 2024
Where: Southbank Centre, Hayward Gallery


The Hayward Gallery's exhibition, spanning over 50 years, showcases how contemporary artists use movement, change, and natural growth in their work. Drawing inspiration from dynamic sources like a dancer's motion or a wave's crest, the displayed pieces evoke fluid, evolving experiences. The sculptures, with their flowing, expanding, and intertwining forms, encourage viewers to engage visually and physically, reminding us of the tactile joy and poetic nature of movement in a digital age. Featuring 21 international artists, this exhibition is a vibrant tribute to the power of sculpture and installation art to ignite the imagination.

Yoko Ono, Music of the Mind

When: Until Sep 1, 2024
Where: Tate Modern

"YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND" at Tate Modern showcases Yoko Ono's revolutionary art over seven decades, featuring her iconic "Cut Piece," "Film No.4 (Bottoms)," and interactive "Wish Trees for London." Explore over 200 works spanning conceptual art, film, and music, highlighting Ono's blend of creativity and activism, and her significant influence alongside John Lennon. This extensive exhibition, in collaboration with Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, invites audience participation, reflecting Ono's enduring impact on contemporary art and peace advocacy.

The Conservatory x Ranjani Shettar

When: Fri 22 Mar —Sun 21 Apr 2024
Where: Barbican, Conservatory

The Conservatory presents "Cloud songs on the horizon," a remarkable site-specific exhibition by Indian sculptor Ranjani Shettar, marking her first major show in Europe. The display features five new, large-scale sculptures that gracefully hang throughout the Conservatory, each meticulously handcrafted by Shettar. Drawing from nature's intricate beauty, her works incorporate diverse materials like wood, stainless steel, and muslin, employing techniques derived from traditional Indian crafts. Exclusive late-night openings on Fridays allow visitors to experience this tropical haven after dark. The exhibition, open to community and school groups at selected times, is free and runs until July 2024, with tickets for April now available.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

When: Booking to 11th May 2024
Where: Theatre Royal Haymarket

Experience the spellbinding transformation of Oscar Wilde's classic, "The Picture of Dorian Gray," into a vibrant and contemporary theatrical masterpiece at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket. Golden Globe-winner Sarah Snook delivers a breathtaking performance, captivatingly embodying all 26 roles in this tale of eternal youth and the sinister price it demands. Directed by the multi-award-winning Kip Williams of Sydney Theatre Company, this production melds live performance with video for a dazzlingly innovative experience. Don't miss this "dizzyingly beautiful tour de force" during its strictly limited run starting 6th February 2024.

Underdog: The Other Other Brontë

When: 27 March — 25 May 2024
Where: Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre

Dive into the untold narrative of the Brontë sisters in Sarah Gordon's latest play, where Charlotte Brontë reveals the complex dynamics between the siblings. This isn't just another tale of genteel women; it's a raw exploration of words' power, the bonds and rivalries of sisterhood, and the interplay of love and jealousy. Under the direction of Natalie Ibu from Northern Stage, this irreverent retelling sheds light on the sisters' path to fame, with a special focus on the often-overlooked Anne Brontë. Prepare for a fresh perspective on literature's most famous sisters.

Nye

When: Until May 11, 2024
Where: Olivier Theatre, National Theatre

Aneurin 'Nye' Bevan, a pivotal figure in British history, known for his role in founding the NHS and his activism in the coalfields, is the focus of a captivating theatrical experience. Portrayed by Michael Sheen in a surreal portrayal, we dive into Bevan's life, retracing his steps from his early years to his monumental parliamentary battles, including spars with Churchill. This dramatic journey, penned by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris, showcases Bevan's indelible impact on the UK's welfare state in a vivid Welsh fantasia.

Boy Blue: Cycles

When: Tue 30 Apr — Sat 4 May 2024
Where: Barbican Theatre

Dive into "Cycles," a hip-hop dance spectacle by the Olivier award-winning company, celebrating life's unending rhythms. Watch as nine dynamic dancers embody the essence of nature's cycles, from the daily shift of light to the profound journey of life itself, all through the vibrant beats of hip-hop. Crafted by renowned founders Michael 'Mikey J' Asante and Kenrick 'H2O' Sandy, this performance is a rhythmic exploration of time and motion. Experience the fluidity of life's dance this winter 2024.

Cairokee

When: Sat 4 May 2024, 20:00
Where: Barbican, Hall

Egyptian rock/pop sensation Cairokee is hitting the stage with new tunes and classic hits on their sold-out European tour. Known for their pioneering sound, Cairokee blends the spirit of Cairo with the global appeal of karaoke, reflecting contemporary Egyptian life through their music. With a commitment to their roots, they've chosen to sing in their native Arabic, earning them a spot as icons in the Arabic-speaking music scene. Since their formation in 2003, the band members Amir Eid, Tamer Hashem, Sherif Hawary, Adam El-Alfy, and Sherif Mostafa have captivated audiences worldwide, making their upcoming tour a highly anticipated event.

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