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Great exhibitions in South Kensington

South Kensington has some great exhibitions to enjoy. Marvel at stunning photography, be inspired by fashion, see one of the world's largest dinosaurs, or explore the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed.

DIVA

On until 7th April 2024
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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DIVA celebrates the power and creativity of iconic performers, exploring and redefining the role of 'diva' and how this has been subverted or embraced over time across opera, stage, popular music, and film.

Power Up

Opens 27th July
10am-5:30pm
Science Museum
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Immerse yourself in this hands-on gaming zone, featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past 50 years. From Pong to Pacman and Minecraft to Mario, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a retro games fan, a serious gamer or just want to beat your family at Mario Kart.

Crown to Couture

On until 29th Oct
Times vary
Kensington Palace
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Last chance to see this glittering exhibition at Kensington Palace with dazzling contemporary couture worn by celebrities including Lizzo and Lady Gaga, alongside beautiful historic costumes.

The Polar Silk Road

From 26th May 2023
10am-6pm
Natural History Museum
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Discover the Arctic through the photography of Gregor Sailer and explore the existing, potential, and unexpected impact that warming temperatures will have in this once pristine region.

Thomas J Price at the V&A

Until 27th May 2024
10am-6pm
V&A
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British artist Thomas J Price is celebrated for his arresting yet contemplative sculptures depicting everyday people. This display sets his work in dialogue with the V&A's historic collections.

Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur

31st March-7th Jan 2024
10am-6pm
Natural History Museum
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Step into the world of the colossal titanosaur Patagotitan mayorum, the largest known creature to have ever walked our planet. On display for the first time ever in Europe, this is your chance to meet this extraordinary dinosaur up close.

WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts

6th July- 22nd October
10am-8pm
Japan House London
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Explore the vibrant diversity of Japanese graphic arts in this bold exhibition which bridges the worlds of fine art, commercial illustration and counterculture.

Serpentine Pavilion 2023 by Lina Ghotmeh

June- October 2023
Serpentine
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Last chance to see the Serpentine Pavilion: À table, designed by architect Lina Ghotmeh, derives from the aspiration to create a sustainable kinship with the land through food and our primal relationship to the Earth.

Windrush 75 at the V&A

12 May- 31st December
10am-6pm
V&A
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A season of events and displays marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush. Find out more about the Windrush generation, their legacies and the impact of the Caribbean on art, design and culture in Britain.

Hidden Treasures of the RCM Collections

6th June- 21st Jan 2024
10.15am-5.45pm
Royal College of Music
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Discover unique treasures from the RCM Museum and Library collections. Featuring long unseen artworks, historic manuscripts, and unusual and ingenious musical instruments, this exhibition shares rarely seen objects and stories hand-picked from the thousands of objects and stories.

Injecting Hope: The Race for a Covid 19 Vaccine

30th Nov - 7th Jan 24
10am - 6pm
Science Museum
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A new free exhibition explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed. See how scientists and researchers adapted to the various challenges of this massive programme.

Serpentine's Pavilion 2023

June 2023
Serpentine
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Serpentine have announced that Lebanese-born, Paris-based architect Lina Ghotmeh, has been selected to conceive the 22nd Pavilion. Ghotmeh’s Pavilion will be unveiled at Serpentine South in June 2023 with Goldman Sachs supporting the annual project for the 9th consecutive year.

The Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Show

On til 30th Sept
Monday -Friday 11am - 5pm, Saturday 12 - 5pm
The Royal Society of Sculptors
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Explore a fabulous showcase of members' and fellows' work at Dora House. This year's theme is The Shape of Life, selected by guest curator Edward Bulmer.

REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion

16th Sept-11th Feb
10am-6pm
Design Museum Kensington
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REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion celebrates the 30th anniversary of the BFC’s NEWGEN programme. The show offers a look at how careers in fashion are forged, and the opportunities London’s fashion scene offers young creatives.

Engineers

From 23rd June
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Engineers shape the world that we live in, creating bold, ground-breaking innovations that respond to global challenges and improve billions of lives. But how much do we know about the people behind these innovations?

Turn it Up: The Power of Music

16th Oct-6th May 2024
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Explore how music shapes our lives in this landmark interactive exhibition.

Image credit: Naoya Hatakeyama, ‘Blast #5707’, 1998. © Naoya Hatakeyama

Photography Centre

Opens 25th May
V&A
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The Photography Centre is the UK’s largest space dedicated to a permanent photography collection. The newly reopened galleries will showcase the museum’s world-leading holdings and enable visitors to experience photography and its diverse histories in new ways.

Victoria: A Royal Childhood

Daily
Wed to Sun 10am-6pm
Kensington Palace
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Discover the story of Princess Victoria, the young girl destined to be queen, in the rooms where she was born and raised at Kensington Palace. Explore how an indulged young princess blossomed into the independent and iconic monarch we remember.

Between Two Worlds: Vanley Burke and Francis Williams

12th June- 31st December
10am-6pm
V&A
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Explore portraits of two Jamaican gentlemen scholars. Burke's photography and archives, alongside historical artefacts and scientific images shedding new light on the Williams painting, invite reflections on quests for identity and colonial legacies.

Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery

Opens 3rd Nov
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Step into the fascinating world of technicians for a peek behind the scenes in the Science Museum's brand new interactive gallery. Experience what it’s like to create visual effects on a blockbuster film set or operate a robot in a manufacturer's workshop,

Cromwell Place - what's on

Daily
Cromwell Place
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Set within five Grade II listed Victorian townhouses in South Kensington, Cromwell Place is one of London’s most exciting arts destinations, offering a year-round programme of diverse exhibitions open to the public across 15 gallery spaces. As a membership organisation and innovative arts hub, it also provides an environment in which galleries, collectors, dealers, curators, and arts professionals can collaborate and flourish together.

Email is Dead

28th Sept- 22nd Oct
10:00am - 17:00pm
Design Museum Kensington
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A playful and immersive display in partnership with Intuit Mailchimp to explore email’s transformational powers. With the acceleration of new technologies like artificial intelligence and new methods of connecting online, the display will ask: how will email shape our future?

Energy: Sparks from the Collection

25th May-20th April 2024
10am-6pm
V&A
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This display shines a light on the diverse kinds of energy in photography, from the hidden processes intrinsic to creating a picture, to the subjects in front of the camera.

Skateboard

20th Oct 2023-25th Feb 2024
10am-6pm
Design Museum Kensington
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Tickets are now on sale for Skateboard! This exhibition will map the design evolution of the skateboard from the 1950s to today. It will showcase innovative skateboards and components, alongside skate photography and video, complete with original soundtracks.