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Great exhibitions in South Kensington

South Kensington has some great exhibitions to enjoy. Marvel at stunning photography, be inspired by Beatrix Potter, see iconic images of the Royal Family, or find out more about removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Gold Drawings: Curator's Tour

29th & 30th March
9-10am
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
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Join Sarah Hardy, Director of the De Morgan Museum, for an exclusive tour of Evelyn De Morgan: The Gold Drawings. This new exhibition showcases some of De Morgan's most accomplished drawings, from delicate pastel portraits to large compositional pieces in gold paint of her own invention.

Great Exhibition Road Festival

17th-18th June 2023
South Kensington
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Join us in South Kensington on 17-18 June 2023 to celebrate the power of awe and wonder to spark innovation in science and the arts with a weekend of free events for all ages.

Ai Weiwei: Making Sense

7th April- 30th July 2023
10am-6pm
Design Museum Kensington
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Tickets are now on sale for globally renowned artist Ai Weiwei who will present his work as a commentary on design and what it reveals about our changing values, in a major new show from April 2023.

Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination

6 Oct 2022 - 4 May 2023
Daily 10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Step aboard and voyage to the edge of imagination in this immersive, genre-defying exhibition! Visitors will be at the heart of an interactive science fiction story which is filled with objects that explore how scientists and science fiction creators have inspired each other through innovation and imagination.

Hallyu! The Korean Wave

24 Sep - 25 June 2023
Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A
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Hallyu! The Korean Wave will showcase the colourful and dynamic popular culture of South Korea, exploring the makings of the Korean Wave and its global impact on the creative industries of cinema, drama, music, fandom, beauty and fashion.

Image credit: © Sarah Lee

Stephen Hawking at Work

On until March 23
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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The Science Museum has acquired a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire Professor Stephen Hawking's office - including his personal reference library, innovative wheelchairs and communications equipment, medals, memorabilia and even the office furniture.

Weird Sensation Feels Good

Til 10 April 23
Sun-Thurs 10am-6pm - Fri-Sat 10am-9pm
Design Museum Kensington
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Have you ever heard a sound that has brought you a sense of calm? Or even made your skin tingle? Step into an acoustically tuned world of ASMR and explore the emerging field of creativity that is shaped and shared by a novel online community.

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.

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.

Image credit: Brandon Guell

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

14th Oct-2nd July 2023
10am-5:50pm
Natural History Museum
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Discover the natural world in all its wonder and diversity at the newly redesigned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, where 100 remarkable photographs illustrate the precious beauty of our planet.

Barbara Chase-Riboud: Infinite Folds

11th Oct-10th April 2023
10am-5:30pm
Serpentine
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The Serpentine presents Infinite Folds, an exhibition featuring over 30 works by visual artist, sculptor, novelist and poet Barbara Chase-Riboud. By combining materials with different qualities, such as hard versus soft, light against heavy, and tactile versus rigid, Chase-Riboud’s works speak to the artist’s interest in creating forms that unify opposing forces.

Yinka Ilori: PARABLES FOR HAPPINESS

15th Sep- 25th June 2023
10am-6pm
Design Museum Kensington
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The display showcases key elements of Ilori’s vibrant aesthetic where visitors will discover 100 objects ranging from artworks, photographs and furniture, to textiles, books and personal possessions. The display offers an unprecedented glimpse into Ilori’s use of the power of design to absorb cultural influences and express London’s rich mix of identities.

KUMIHIMO: Japanese Silk Braiding by Domyo

23rd Feb-11th June
9am-6pm
Japan House London
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Discover the past, present and possible futures of kumihimo, an intricate, decorative braided cord from Japan, in the first major UK exhibition exploring this ancient yet contemporary Japanese art.

Image credit: Mike Vallely, 1989, photograph by Spike Jonze.

Skateboard

20th Oct 2023-25th Feb 2024
10am-6pm
Design Museum Kensington
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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.

Beguiling Beni: Safflower Red in Japanese Fashion

Until 31st March 2024
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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The Japanese dye 'beni', made from safflower petals, produces red hues and an iridescent green. This display reveals its many uses in fashion, from heel-less shoes by Noritaka Tatehana, to textiles, cosmetics and ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

Sokari Douglas Camp

until 14th May 2023
10am-5:30pm
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British-Nigerian artist Sokari Douglas Camp focuses on socio-political issues and the history of the African Diaspora in her work. This monumental sculptural group addresses the legacies of slavery, issues of power and gender, and the climate crisis.

The Ralph Saltzman Prize 2023

2nd Feb-23rd April 2023
Times vary
Design Museum Kensington
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The Design Museum's annual prize in partnership with the Saltzman Family Foundation is back, celebrating emerging designers in recognition of Ralph Saltzman’s design legacy. The Prize reflects the Museum’s overarching commitment to champion new talent and nurture the development of a vibrant design sector.

Re:Imagining Musicals

On til 27th Nov 2023
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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This display celebrates the glittering world of musical theatre, exploring the evolution and craftmanship of iconic musicals, from Miss Saigon and My Fair Lady to modern classics SIX the Musical, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Portrait of Melissa Thompson by Kehinde Wiley

Until 26th Oct 2023
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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Nigerian-American artist, Kehinde Wiley is best known for his portraits of people of colour in settings and poses that reference Old Master paintings. Wiley’s portraits replace European figures of power, asking us to consider the power dynamics behind who is represented in these portraits and why.

Print and Prejudice: Women Printmakers, 1700 – 1930

Until 1st May 2023
10am-5:45pm
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This display charts the development of women artists’ remarkable but overlooked engagement with printmaking from the 18th to early 20th centuries – from picturesque landscapes, to intimate portraits and vibrant botanical works.

Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance

Until 11th June
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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The first major UK exhibition to explore the exceptional talents of the Renaissance master Donatello, arguably the greatest sculptor of all time. Experience a fresh vision of the artist and his influence on subsequent generations.

BBC at 100

From 27 July 2022
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Celebrate 100 years of the BBC with a new display that explores how the BBC has used broadcast technologies to deliver its mission to inform, educate and entertain its audiences.

Crown to Couture

5th April-29th Oct
Times vary
Kensington Palace
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From the glittering world of the Georgian court to the high glamour of the modern-day red carpet, this exhibition at Kensington Palace will see dazzling contemporary couture worn by celebrities including Lizzo and Lady Gaga, displayed alongside beautiful historic costume.