Thursday 24 September 2015

Somerset House - Visit new events and exhibitions in October: illustration and African art

What’s On at Somerset House – October 2015. Image © Marcus Ginns
Marc Quinn: Frozen Waves, Broken Sublimes
Until 21 October 2015
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
Free admission
Four monumental sculptures which form two bodies of work entitled Frozen Wave and Broken Sublime (2015) are presented in the historic courtyard. The sculptures by Marc Quinn originate from the remnants of shells and will be presented outdoors for the first time. Earlier this summer the sculptures were featured in The Toxic Sublime, Marc Quinn’s exhibition at White Cube, Bermondsey.
Marc Quinn: Frozen Waves, Broken Sublimes at Somerset House. Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates © Marc Quinn studio
Grahame Baker-Smith. ‘Stamp Design’ © Royal Mail Group Ltd (2015)
AOI World Illustration Awards
From 5 October 2015
Terrace Rooms, South Wing
Free admission
This year's shortlist of the Association of Illustrators’ (AOI) annual competition showcases contemporary illustration of emerging and established artists including Olivier Kugler with his portraits of Syrian refugees, Grahame Baker-Smith’s colourful 150th anniversary stamps for Royal Mail and Malika Favre’s posters for the BAFTA’s. Returning to Somerset House for the fourth year, and for the first time in partnership with the Directory of Illustration.
1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair
15–18 October 2015
South Wing, West Wing & East Wing
Returning with its most substantial showcase yet, the fair will feature 38 exhibitors representing more than 150 contemporary artists from Africa and the African diaspora. 1:54 is an opportunity to enjoy contemporary African art in mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, video and installation. 1:54 will be accompanied by its critical conversation series, FORUM, this year focusing on North Africa.
Hassan Musa, 'Moneytheism', 2014, Ink on textiles, 163 x 258 cm, Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Maia Muller
Big Bang Data © Image by Morag Myerscough
COMING SOON: Big Bang Data
From 3 December 2015
Embankment Galleries, South Wing
The UK’s first major exhibition exploring the big data explosion that’s radically transforming our society, culture and politics. Through dynamic and engaging art and design projects from a range of international artists such as Ryoji IkedaJames Bridle and Eva and Franco Mattes, with some works never been seen in the UK, Big Bang Datawill demystify data by inviting visitors to look at the ways digital information is produced, organised, used an interpreted, and how it is changing the way we live.
Last few days to visit London Design Festival at Somerset House, with many events and installations. Free admission until Sunday 27 September 2015.
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Learning & Events
This month for Learning we prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword as we focus on the delights of drawing for families, whether it be of fantasy fairgrounds or spooky spiders. If silver-tongued oratory is more your thing, then enjoy the debate at our next recording of BBC Radio 4 Four Thought where passionate speakers persuade us that their topics matter.

Soaring Flight: Peter Lanyon's Gliding Paintings
From 15 October 2015
The Courtauld Gallery, North Wing
This exhibition explores a remarkable series of paintings by Peter Lanyon, one of Britain’s most important and original Post-War artists. During the 1950s, he produced radical, near-abstract paintings of the tough coastal landscape of his native West Cornwall inspired by his experience of gliding.

Spring Restaurant
New Wing
Skye Gyngell’s first solo venture with ingredient-led cooking that is guided by the changing seasons, writing daily lunch and dinner menus that present the best produce simply and memorably within the elegant 19th century drawing room, which has been refurbished to its former glory.

Free Guided Tours: Historical Highlights
Thursdays and Saturdays
Free admission
In approximately one hour, you'll revisit Tudor and Georgian times, discover scientific curiosity and naval power, extravagant entertainments and 'the King's Shilling', plus witness bold and ambitious new architecture in the form of a stair structure designed by the internationally renowned architect Eva Jiricna.

From our friends at designjunction
50% discount on designjunction tickets for Somerset House subscribers
24-27 September 2015
Don’t miss #designjunction2015 during London Design Festival. Discover more than 180 cutting-edge brands and shops, 10 mouth-watering eateries, a host of flash factories, installations and live activities as well as a jam-packed seminar programme spread across two central London locations.