Thursday 16 June 2016

Somerset House - What's on in UTOPIA 2016: A Year of Imagination and Possibility

Christmas shopping and festive fayre in a spectacular setting. Image: The Christmas Arcade © Fortnum & Mason
UTOPIA 2016: A Year of Imagination and Possibility
Utopia 2016: A Year of Imagination and Possibility
Utopia 2016 is in full swing! Celebrating the 500th anniversary of Thomas More's seminal text Utopia, we bring you a year of artists, designers, provocateurs and thinkers experimenting with ways we might live, make, work and play. Get involved with a variety of upcoming events and explore your own vision of utopia with us!
Utopia Fair
The Utopia Fair
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
24 - 26 June
Free admission
Representatives from contemporary utopian movements will fill The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court at Somerset House, celebrating the pockets of utopia that are flourishing around the country, and the importance of the spaces that artists create for dreaming. Visitors will enjoy interactive displays and activities that look at the environment and city-living, community inclusiveness, fashion and arts and craft practices. Stalls will be cash only on-site.
Paths to Utopia
Paths to Utopia
Inigo Rooms, King's College London, East Wing
1 July - 2 October
Free admission
A collection of new artworks resulting from collaborations between artists, performers, architects, technologists and King’s College London academics. This wide-ranging exhibition includes film, immersive installations, durational performances, and fleeting happenings. Encounter whales, ascend to a community in the clouds and witness the ubiquitous, transcendental pursuit of creativity.
Utopia Treasury
Utopia Treasury
Great Arch Hall, South Wing
Open Daily for 2016
Free admission
The Utopia Treasury, open throughout the year, hosts a rolling programme of talks, debates, workshops and performances on contemporary issues, inspired by themes from Thomas More's 500 year old text. Drop in and chat with one of our Utopia treasurers, attend a free talk or delve into a library of ‘utopia’- themed literature.
Utopian Voices Here and Now © Project O
Utopian Voices Here and Now
Site Wide, Somerset House
6 July - 29 August
Free admission
A series of cutting-edge, contemporary displays, installations and performances across our whole site. Exploring prevalent issues in today’s society, this dynamic range of works will showcase the utopian visions of young UK-based artists, giving voice to the issues most affecting them today including body, gender, sexuality and race.
For the full programme and to find out more visit utopia2016.com. Follow@UtopiaOverheard on Twitter for daily whispers and don't forget to #Utopia2016
MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:
15 Minutes of Utopia
15 Minutes of Utopia Utopia Treasury, South Wing
Every Thur and Fri at 13.00
Free talks on utopian thoughts and practices, from artists, scientists, makers, academics and many more.
Paths to Utopia
Paths to Utopia in conversation
King's College London
Various Dates
A series of talks exploring the wide-ranging ideas and collaborations behindPaths to Utopia.

Confusion of Tongues
Confusion of
Tongues
The Courtauld Gallery, North Wing
16 June - 17 July
An exhibition from Courtauld MA students, exploring the power of language to construct, complicate and withhold meaning.
Butter Shoes © Iris Long
Walking Women
Utopia Treasury and Screening Room, South Wing
16 - 17 July
A series of artworks and talks, celebrating women who use walking in their creative practice.

Guardian Live Utopia 2016
Guardian Live Utopia 2016 series
Utopia Treasury and Screening Room, South Wing
August - November
A series of discussions and activities on transhumanism, happiness, dying, food and more.
London Design Biennale 2016
The London Design Biennale
Site Wide, Somerset House
7 - 27 September
Nations from six continents present newly commissioned work on the themeUtopia by Design.

Edible Utopia - Image © Tim Mitchell
Edible Utopia Weekend
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court and Utopia Treasury, South Wing
20 - 21 August
Rediscovering growing, cooking and eating as Utopian activities in the city.
The Dancing Monks of Majuli Island
The Dancing Monks of Majuli Island
The Quad, King's College London
10 - 11 July 2016
London premier of the Majuli Island monks performing Sattriya, the joyful dance of love.