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Somerset House Studios Events Programme
Full listings information can be found at the end of the press release, with highlights included below:
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM): BEATRICE DILLON, IAIN FORSYTH AND JANE POLLARD, HANNAH PERRY, BROOD MA & MORE
5 October, 19.00-00.00, Somerset House Studios, Early bird tickets £7 available until August 30
This October for the first time, Somerset House Studios opens its doors for the inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM). For one night, the Studios’ artists welcome the public into their workspace for an evening of music, film and performance in a celebration of London’s most dynamic cultural community.
Offering visitors rare access to the underground studios at Somerset House, AGM offers late-night access to Hannah Perry’s new solo exhibition GUSH plus performances and installations from NTS Radio DJ and producer Beatrice Dillon, artist Marija Bozinovska Jones (MBJ Wetware), music producer Recsund (Quantum Natives), filmmakers Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, and rising record label COTCH International, as well as music from female and non-binary collective Resis’Dance. Further highlights include a pop-up underground club presented by Jacob Samuel, HMURD and Brood Ma.
Guests can explore the unique spaces underneath Somerset House, from the repurposed Navy rifle range and the Inland Revenue Snooker Rooms to the vaulted studios built into the very infrastructure of Waterloo Bridge, which now house over 300 artists, makers and thinkers creating new work in the heart of London.
TBCTV
3 - 7 October, Wednesday-Friday 11.00-18.00 & Saturday-Sunday 10.00-18.00, Lancaster Rooms, New Wing, Free
Theatre performances from 19.15, £12.00/£14.00 early bird tickets for TBCTV plays + AGM
TBCTV, a new installation bringing together visual art performance and theatre opens this October from Studios residents Mel Brimfield, Ewan Jones Morris and Chloe Lamford.
Transforming Somerset House’s Lancaster Rooms into a mock TV studio, TBCTV presents a dynamic and evolving programme of new live theatre and film screenings, including a new short play from award-winning Welsh playwright and screenwriter, Tim Price.
A broad programme will feature a short film projected each hour from a carefully curated selection of artists including Bedwyr Williams, Sol Calero & Dafna Maimon, Kalup Linzy, Tamy Ben Tor, Rachel Maclean, Mary Reid Kelley and more. Further works will appear from the successful applicants of the TBCTV open call and full details of the programme will be available in the specially created publication TBCTV Times. In the TBCTV reception area, visitors can experience the shifting nature of television media with multiple screens showing a range of moving image work including show reels, music videos, animations, as well as enjoy a selection of satirical magazines exploring celebrity culture.
TBCTV is supported by the Case Foundation.
HANNAH PERRY: GUSH
3 October - 4 November, River Rooms, New Wing, Free
This Autumn, Somerset House showcases a new body of work from British artist and Somerset House Studios resident Hannah Perry, in her first major UK solo exhibition since 2015.
Drawing upon her diverse range of disciplines, GUSH presents a captivating and poignant exhibition featuring large-scale dynamic sculpture, sound and film, in a candid and personal exploration of mental and emotional health in our contemporary, hyper-networked society.
Showcasing a new body of work created this year, Perry brings the latest advancements in technology into a gallery setting to present an immersive 360° film, narrated with fragmented spoken word that explores the highs and lows of both the everyday and life changing events. Elsewhere in the exhibition, an audio sculpture incorporating car body wraps and subwoofer speakers creates pulsating distorted patterns upon its mirrored surface, altering the viewer’s reflected self and surroundings.
RESIS’DANCE
Resis’dance: Behind the Decks
1 September, 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00, River Rooms, New Wing, £5.00
Theatre of the Oppressed
8 September, 12.00-14.00, River Rooms, New Wing, £5.00
This September, radical events collective RESIS’DANCE present a series of workshops challenging gender norms in the music scene, helping to support young women and non-binary people under 25 by creating safe spaces on the dancefloor.
For its first Saturday session, RESIS’DANCE offers a practical introduction to DIY DJing, from the foundations of software and equipment to tips on how to DJ on a budget and working your way into the industry.
The following Saturday, visitors are invited to join RESIS’DANCE for a workshop on empowering women and non-binary people on the dancefloor and building up the confidence to intervene when witnessing or experiencing discrimination. Using interactive and de-escalation techniques from Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, participants can learn how to define and create safe spaces at events to help tackle issues of racism, homophobia, misogyny and harassment.
JENNA SUTELA: nimiia cétiï
Audio-visual Installation
5 – 15 September, New Wing, Reception area
Artist Talk
5 September, 18:45-20:30, River Rooms, Pay What You Can
Jenna Sutela’s new work, nimiia cétiï, is the result of a seven-month residency with Somerset House Studios and Google Arts & Culture’s artist-in-residence program n-Dimensions, developed with fellow Somerset House Studios resident Memo Akten and Damien Henry, Head of Innovation at the Google Arts & Culture Lab. The audio-visual installation will be available to view in the New Wing from 5-15 September.
nimiia cétiï is inspired by experiments in interspecies communication and aspiring to connect with a world beyond our consciousness. The work documents the interactions between a neural network, audio
recordings of early Martian language, and footage of bacterial movements. In the work, Sutela challenges contemporary forms of communication, presenting the computer as shaman, moulding and channelling messages between entities that usually cannot speak.
To mark the unveiling of this work, Sutela joins collaborators Memo Akten, and Damien Henry for an exclusive screening and talk, moderated by curator and StudioRCA programmer Anne Duffau.
AN EVENING WITH JENNY HVAL WITH THE QUIETUS
22 October, 18.45-20.30, Portico Rooms, £8.00
To celebrate the launch of her debut novel Paradise Rot, visitors are invited to join Norwegian musician and writer Jenny Hval for an evening in conversation with Anna Wood, Reviews Editor of rock music and pop culture website The Quietus.
Drawing upon the dreamlike and intimate visions explored in Hval’s acclaimed records ‘Blood Bitch’, ‘Apocalypse, Girl’ and ‘Innocence is Kinky’, Paradise Rot, the first of Hval’s books to appear in English, presents a heady and hyper-sensual portrayal of sexual awakening and queer desire. The evening will explore Hval’s delicate handling of these themes, as well as ideas of sexuality, politics and the female gender.
This event is presented in partnership with Verso.
MAKERVERSITY: Material Explorations: Waste Streams
Exhibition
15 - 23 September, 10.00-18.00, G16, New Wing, Free
Talk
20 September, 19.00-20.30, River Rooms, New Wing, £5.00
Workshop
22 September, 12.00-15.00, G16, New Wing, £8.00
Europe’s pioneering community of maker businesses and Somerset House Studio residents, Makerversity, present the final exhibition of ‘Material Explorations’, a four-part project unearthing the sustainability and innovation behind materials used in making and design processes.
In Waste Streams, Makerversity showcases how current designers utilise waste as an abundant resource, encouraging visitors to take an active role in repurposing waste in their own homes.
As part of an accompanying talk and workshop, visitors can join exhibiting designers for a lively debate on why waste should be treasured not trashed, hosted by design and material specialists MaterialDriven, as well as learn the art of rope making using the natural resource of human hair as raw material.
NEW RESIDENTS
Somerset House is delighted to welcome two new additions to the Somerset House Studios resident community from July 2018.
Visionary artist and director Jenn Nkiru joins the Studios community following a wave of critical acclaim for her directorial and writing work on projects such as Beyoncé & Jay-Z’s latest viral video sensation APESHIT and the
award-winning short film ‘REBIRTH IS NECESSARY’. In her new role as founding curator of Boiler Room’s latest video platform 4:3, Nkiru will be working on a one-off special installation event exploring Afrofuturism, as well as developing her first feature length music and culture documentary with BBC Arts for 2019.
With recent installation and curatorial projects at Tate Modern and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, artist and writer Sonya Dyer will continue to run and develop …And Beyond Institute for Future Research, a think tank concerned with the creation of possible futures, utilising reproductive technologies and moving image.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
This year, Somerset House Studios is launching the London Fields Brewery Bursary, an open-call for artists pushing the boundaries of established practice. The successful artist, selected by a panel including DJ and producer Nabihah Iqbal and Alexandrina Hemlsey of Project O, will be offered a year-long free studio residency at Somerset House, artist fee and an in-house artist mentor. Further details on how to apply can be found online.
More news from Somerset House Studios:
Partnership with King’s College London – KCL x SHS Scheme 2018
Now in its second year, Somerset House Studios and the Cultural Institute at King’s College London partnership, KCL x SHS Scheme 2018, pairs Studio artists with King’s academics to collaborate on new research engaging with urgent social issues. Studio recipients of the 2018 award are: Maeve Brennan, FRAUD, Thought Collider, Ted Hunt and Marija Bozinovska Jones. The results of the collaborations will be presented in a series of short films in 2019.
Somerset House Studios at MUTEK, Montréal, 20 - 26 August
This August, Somerset House Studios partners on AMPLIFY, an ambitious initiative connecting 20 women-identified artists and curators working in the digital arts, VR, AR, and immersive storytelling in Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and the UK. Taking place at the MUTEK Montréal, artist resident Marija Bozinovska Jones and Music Hackspace members Ewa Justka, Shelley Knotts and Joanne Armitage take part in workshops, labs and performances celebrating female artists and electronic music producers from across the Americas and the UK, contributing to the current cultural shift around inclusivity and gender issues.
FULL EVENTS LISTINGS FROM AUGUST - OCTOBER 2018
ONGOING
MUSIC HACKSPACE
Present - September, New Wing, Times and prices vary
Music Hackspace, a collective of innovators in music technology and sound art, present a new programme of workshops, free artist talks and performances promoting Taiwanese artists working with sound and new media, including Yen Tzu Chang and Lien-Cheng Wang, in collaboration with its current artist in residence, Lucia H Chung.
AUGUST
SYSTEM BY GAIKA IN COLLABORATION WITH BOILER ROOM
2- 26 August, 10.00-18.00, Lancaster Rooms, New Wing, Free
To mark 70 years of Windrush, Boiler Room and Somerset House Studios artist Gaika present SYSTEM, an installation exploring the history of sound system culture and challenging the media perception of Notting Hill Carnival’s heritage. A series of late night music events take place inside the installation on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout its run.
GAIKA IN CONVERSATION WITH ASH SARKAR
15 August, 18.45 – 20.30, River Rooms, New Wing, £8.00
To further explore his audio-visual installation SYSTEM, visitors are invited to join Gaika for an evening in conversation with writer, broadcaster and journalist Ash Sarkar, delving deeper into the installation’s commentary on the politics of sound system culture and celebration of the Windrush generation.
SEPTEMBER
RESIS’DANCE
Resis’dance: Behind the Decks
1 September, 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00, River Rooms, New Wing, £5.00
Theatre of the Oppressed
8 September, 12.00-14.00, River Rooms, New Wing, £5.00
JENNA SUTELA: nimiia cétiï
Audio-visual Installation
5 - 15 September, New Wing, Reception area
Artist Talk
5 September, 18:45-20:30, River Rooms, Pay What You Can
MAKERVERSITY: Material Explorations: Waste Streams
Exhibition
15 - 23 September, 10.00-18.00, G16, New Wing, Free
Talk
20 September, 19.00-20.30, River Rooms, New Wing, £5.00
Workshop
22 September, 12.00-15.00, G16, New Wing, £8.00
PROJECT O: SAVED
19 September - 17 December, New Wing Entrance, Free
Studios residents Project O (Jamila Johnson-Small and Alexandrina Hemsley) present Saved, a video artwork exploring the historical connection between the British Royal Navy Board and Somerset House, installed in the New Wing entrance.
COTCH INTERNATIONAL: In the Field
22 September, Lancaster Rooms, New Wing
Workshop, 14.00-18.00, Free
Panel Talk & Afterparty, 18.00-23.00, £5.00
Rising music label COTCH INTERNATIONAL hosts an afternoon workshop, panel talk and afterparty celebrating a new wave of DIY filmmakers, exploring what it takes to make it as a leading videographer in urban music. Special guests include Kaylum Dennis, Carly Sussen, Ray Fiasco and Jeaniq Amihyia.
OCTOBER
TBCTV
3 - 7 October, 11.00-18.00, Lancaster Rooms, New Wing, Free
Theatre performances from 19.15, £12.00/£14.00 early bird tickets for TBCTV plays + AGM
HANNAH PERRY: GUSH
3 October - 4 November, River Rooms, New Wing, Free
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM): BEATRICE DILLON, IAIN FORSYTH AND JANE POLLARD, HANNAH PERRY, BROOD MA & MORE
5 October, 19.00-00.00, Somerset House Studios, Early bird tickets £7 until 30 August
AN EVENING WITH JENNY HVAL WITH THE QUIETUS
22 October, 18.45-20.30, Portico Rooms, £8.00
NOVEMBER
ASSEMBLY
14 - 18 November, Times vary, Somerset House Studios
Full line-up announcement in September
Celebrating contemporary electronic and experimental music and the makers behind it, Somerset House Studios presents Assembly, a series of newly commissioned performances, installations and discussions, including two Case Foundation commissions, from the Studios’ artists, their communities and the best international talent. Details of the line-up will be announced in September.
Full list of new artist residents at Somerset House Studios:
• Jenn Nkiru
• Sonya Dyer
Somerset House thanks supporters of Somerset House Studios, including Westminster City Council, Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Sir Siegmund Warburg's Voluntary Settlement, Rothschild
Foundation, Outset Contemporary Art Fund and the Gaia Art Foundation, John Ellerman Foundation, Cockayne Trust and the Case Foundation.
Ends
FOR PRESS ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: press@somersethouse.org.uk/0207 845 4624
ADDITIONAL LISTINGS INFORMATION
Address: Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Transport: Underground: Temple, Embankment / Rail: Charing Cross, Waterloo, Blackfriars
Website: www.somersethouse.org.uk
Somerset House Facebook: www.facebook.com/SomersetHouse
Somerset House Twitter: @SomersetHouse
Somerset House Instagram: @SomersetHouse
Somerset House Studios Twitter: @sh_studios_
Somerset House Studios Instagram: @somersethousestudios
ABOUT SOMERSET HOUSE
Inspiring contemporary culture
One of the city’s most spectacular and well-loved spaces, Somerset House is a new kind of arts centre in the heart of London, designed for today’s audiences, artists and creatives – an inspirational community where contemporary culture is imagined, created and experienced.
From its 18th Century origins, Somerset House has played a central role in our society as a place where our culture and collective understanding of the world is shaped and defined. In 2000, it began its reinvention as a cultural powerhouse and home for arts and culture today, creating unique and stimulating experiences for the public, bringing them into direct contact with ideas from the greatest artists, makers and thinkers of our time. Our distinctive and dynamic year-round programme spans the contemporary arts in all its forms, from cutting-edge exhibitions and installations to annual festivals, seasonal events in the courtyard including Film4 Summer Screen, Summer Series and Skate, and an extensive learning and engagement programme.
As well as welcoming over 3million visitors annually, Somerset House houses the largest and most diverse creative communities in the country – from one-person start-ups to successful creative enterprises including MOBO, British Fashion Council, Dance Umbrella, Improbable Theatre, Hofesh Shechter Company, and Dartmouth Films.
In 2016 we launched Somerset House Studios – a new experimental workspace connecting artists, makers and thinkers with audiences. Currently housing over 80 artists and Makerversity (a community of over 250 emergent makers), the Studios are a platform for the development of new creative projects and collaboration, promoting work that pushes bold ideas, engages with urgent issues and pioneers new technologies. www.somersethouse.org.uk