British Museum - What's on in July 2017

What's onJuly 2017

Hokusai's works are powerful and enduring images, but the prints and paintings on show in our special exhibition are also incredibly delicate and light sensitive. The exhibition will close 3, 4, 5 and 6 July while conservators replace around half of the works with similar pieces, ensuring they can be displayed for years to come. This blog explains why Hokusai's artworks are so sensitive to light – read the blog ›  Hokusai tickets are selling out fast – book in advance to avoid disappointment! Tickets ›   What does the British Museum mean to you? We'd love to hear from you – please complete our 2-minute survey ›

Special exhibitions

Hokusai: beyond the Great Wave Until 13 August (closed 3–6 July inclusive)   With a career spanning such a great length of time, it's no surprise Hokusai produced a huge catalogue of work before his death, aged 90. In our series of events world experts take a look at the full trajectory of his career, how he continued to find new inspiration in old age, and his influence on printing in the 21st century. Find out more ›   Hokusai tickets have been flying away! We've even extended opening hours at weekends to meet demand. Make sure you don’t miss this five-star exhibition – become a Member today. You’ll be able to access sold-out ticket slots as well as 12 months of other benefits. Find out more about Membership ›   Supported by Mitsubishi Corporation

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The BP exhibition Scythians: warriors of ancient Siberia 14 September 2017 – 14 January 2018   Know nothing about the Scythians? That's OK. Curator St John Simpson has recorded a handy audio introduction to these nomadic warriors. Designed to accompany the show and follow its themes in more detail, the first installment is a beginner's guide to this fascinating culture. Listen to the first episode › As nomads, the Scythians' possessions had to be light and portable. Their skilful craftsmanship and remarkable material culture has been unearthed in burial mounds in Sibera – exceptionally well preserved in the frozen landscape. Curator St John has picked nine highlight objects from the show – read the blog ›   Supported by BP

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Free exhibitions and displays

Desire, love, identity:exploring LGBTQ histories Until 15 October Roman ideas of sexuality were very different to modern western societies – there is no word in Latin for the modern term 'homosexuality'. The Roman emperor Hadrian had a male lover – Antinous – who drowned in the Nile on an imperial tour in AD 130. Hadrian's outpouring of grief was on a monumental scale, and Antinous was commemorated in statues across the Roman empire.  Discover LGBTQ histories, experiences and lives in this display and Museum-wide trail – examine objects from around the world, covering ancient civilisations to today. Explore the online trail here ›   Find out more › Supported by Stephen and Julie Fitzgerald

The Asahi Shimbun Displays Japanese woodblock printing:a craft of precision Until 16 July This rain-lashed scene – Sudden Shower at Shōno – by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) shows how master printers could create special effects in their works. Bokashi, or gradation, is a technique used to suggest depth and atmosphere in traditional prints. Pigment was carefully removed from the printing block by hand, which means no two examples of gradation are exactly the same. Discover the craftsmanship behind traditional Japanese prints in this small free display. Find out more › Supported by The Asahi Shimbun

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Highlight events

Shubbak Festival of Arab Culture: Survival of the artist Sun 2 July, 10.00–17.30 £15, Members/concessions £12 A stimulating day of debate and discussion looking at censorship, artists at risk and heritage destruction through presentations, panel discussions and audience Q&As. Find out more ›   What makes an object LGBTQ? Fri 7 July, 18.30–19.45 £5, Members/concessions £3 In this special event, a panel including Curator Laura Phillips and Oxford Professor Richard Parkinson try to answer one question – what makes an object LGBTQ? Find out more › The road to Fuji: celebrating Hokusai Fri 14 July, 18.00–21.00 Free, just drop in An evening of Hokusai-themed music, performance, craft and film comes to the Museum this July. There will also be a pop-up sake tasting bar so you can enjoy a Japanese tipple! If you want to see the Hokusai exhibition on that evening, make sure you buy your tickets in advance. Find out more ›

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