Happy New Year to All of Us!
By Jen (follow Jen on Twitter: @JenBarnes207)
The future is upon us- 2016 has arrived. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves over the holidays and aren’t too depressed that January has arrived. There’s plenty to keep you distracted from the winter blues and as always, some of my fellow BrokeinLondoners have some more ideas for you in the Free Entertainment in London section.
#1 Farewell to Christmas | 6th January
Image: TimeOut
If you feel like you need to say a formal goodbye to Christmas and the holiday season, the Geffrye Museum is giving you the opportunity on the twelfth night of Christmas. Join them for a traditional celebration involving carol singing, mulled wine, stories and maybe even a fire or two.
When: 6th January, 330pm
Where: Geffrye Museum, 136 Kingsland Rd, London, E2 8EA
#2 Champagne Life | From 13th January
Image: TimeOut
The Saatchi Gallery is celebrating its thirtieth birthday party in style: with its first all exhibition of all female artists titled Champagne Life. Artists include Tracey Emin, Jenny Saville, Alice Anderson and Pheobe Unwin. It’s a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with the works of these amazing women. The permanent collection is also free to the public.
When: Daily from 13th January, 10am-6pm
Where: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, London SW3 4RY
#3 Lumiere London | 14th January-17th January
Image: Visit London
Artichoke are bringing their famous light festival from the streets of Durham to our very own London. Lumiere London takes places across London for 4 nights this January. Artists like Janet Echelman, Julian Opie and Nathaniel Rackowe are bringing some of their famous works to the city and you won’t want to miss out. Check out the full programme on the website.
When: 14th January-17th January
Where: Across London
#4 London’s Urban Jungle | All Month
Image: Horniman Museum
The Horniman Museum is all the way down south in Forest Hill but it’s 100% worth the trek if you’re not close-by. The grounds are beautiful and the permanent collection includes a pretty handsome walrus. London’s Urban Jungle is an exhibition featuring works of Charles Jamrach, one of Victorian London’s most prominent dealers in exotic animals. Never a dull moment in that trade.
When: All month, daily 1030am-530pm
Where: Horniman Museum, 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ
#5 Enter Wonder.Land | All Month
Image: TimeOut
To accompany the new musical version of Alice in Wonderland by Damon Albarn and Rufus Norris, they’ve created an immersive experience to take visitors into wonder.land. It’s a virtual reality music video with a 360 degree landscape – which sounds pretty cool but I have no idea what it means. Check it out and let us know what you think! There’s an augmented reality magic mirror mall that sounds like selfie paradise.
When: 9.30am-11pm Mon-Sat (12noon-6pm Sun when there is a performance in the building)
Where: National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX
#6 Prototypes and Experiments | 4th January – 16th January
Image: TimeOut
Prototypes and Experiments gives you an opportunity to see behind the scenes of the creative design process by exhibiting prototypes and inventions by Carl Turner Architects, Carmondy Groake, Pinch, Plaid and Studio Weave. The finished product we see on shelves often looks nothing like the original idea but it’s an exciting process to follow!
When: 4th-16th January, Open 10am-6pm Mon- Sat but 10am-7pm Thur
Where: Aram Gallery, 110 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5SG
#7 Radical Disco: Architecture and Nightlife in Italy, 1965-1975 | Until 10th January
Image: ICA
Apparently there was quite the relationship between architecture and nightlife in Italy during the 60s and 70s. Radical Disco: Architecture and Nightlife in Italy, 1965-1975 is an exhibition showcasing the Radical Design discotheques that popped up in Rome. On display are archival photographs, architectural drawings, films, music and articles from the design process.
When: Until 10th January, Tuesday-Sunday 11am-11pm
Where: ICA, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH
#8 The Museum of Innocence | From 27th January
Image: Somerset House
If you’re familiar with Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk, you are probably familiar with his novel, Museum of Innocence. Luckily a physical manifestation of the book is traveling to Somerset House where you can explore the world of the story’s main character: engaged wealthy socialite Kemal Bey and his love for Fusun. The exhibition invites us to discover the magic of the every day items we surround ourselves with.
When: From 27th January, Daily 10am-6pm
Where: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
#9 Waiting for Players: Whitechapel Gallery| All Month
Image: Whitechapel Gallery
Are computer game graphics art? I know you’ve been asking yourself this question for years. Luckily the Whitechapel Gallery is exhibiting Harun Farocki: Parallel I-IV (2012-14). Farocki is an avant-garde film-maker who makes work to show how image-making technology shapes public perception. The exhibition coincides with Electronic Superhighway (2016-1966), opening on 29th January.
When: All Month, Tuesday-Sunday 11am-6pm
Where: Whitechapel Gallery. 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX
#10 Alex Chinneck Pylon | Until 10th January
Image: Londonist
It’s your last chance to see Alex Chinneck’s 15-ton, 35 metre tall inverted pylon in Greenwich Peninsula. It will be lit up every night until the 10th January when London will have to say goodbye to this bizarre addition to its skyline. I recommend viewing it from the Emirates Airline- because, why not?
When: Until 10th January
Where: Greenwich Peninsula
