From groundbreaking immersive exhibitions to celebrations of illustrious artist careers London's art scene is packed with great shows this summer, so how will you choose which one to visit first? Take a look at 5 of our favourite exhibitions to visit in London this summer. Each of the exhibitions we have chosen step into uncharted territory to provide you with a visual treat. Get your dose of art and culture by visiting one of the exhibitions below.
Installation view of Fashioning Masculinities. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Are you a fashion fan? The Victoria and Albert Museum’s new exhibition ‘Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear’ tackles the vast timeline of men’s fashion, from the opulence of the 17th Century to the gender-fluid outfits favoured today. Curated in three sections - Undressed, Overdressed and Redressed - this landmark exhibition takes it back to basics, investigating how fashion and masculine identity are intertwined. From Harry Styles’ Gucci dress he wore on the cover of Vogue, to Billy Porter’s 2015 Golden Globes outfit, ‘Fashioning Masculinities’ pulls together iconic contemporary menswear pieces that would only otherwise be seen online. Such a vast display of mens fashion is not to be missed - visit the V&A’s ‘Fashioning Masculinities’ exhibition until 6th November late this year.
Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirrored Room - Filled with the Brilliance of Life 2011/2017. Tate. Presented by the artist, Ota Fine Arts and Victoria Miro 2015, accessioned 2019 © YAYOI KUSAMA
If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a ticket, then Yayoi Kusama’s 'Infinity Mirror Room' is the place to be this summer. Running until September 2022, Kusama’s immersive installation transports you into the depths of outer space. Through the use of light and reflection, the world famous Japanese artist creates mind-blowing mirrored spaces that transport you to new worlds. It’s practically impossible to escape the popularity of this exhibition with the social media generation. Instagram’s Tate Modern tag is littered with selfies taken in Kusama’s stunning mirrored Infinity Rooms, and there's no doubting its major influence on London’s contemporary art scene. If you manage to get tickets, don't forget your phone - you’ll want to capture the moment.
Installation view of Weird Sensation Feels Good. Photography by Ed Reeve.
The fascinating world of ASMR is a bit of an online sensation. Short for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, ASMR is the name given to that tingly calm feeling some people get when listening to certain sounds. Chances are you’ve experienced it yourself brushing your hair or popping some bubble wrap - it really does happen that randomly. In the first major exhibition of its kind, The Design Museum takes a trip into this weird and wonderful world of sound. From its homage to Bob Ross, the unintentional founder of the movement, to interactive sets and multi-sensory installations, ‘The World of ASMR’ is the perfect exhibition to visit this summer. Catch it before it closes on the 16th October.
Cornelia Parker Cold Dark Matter An Exploded View 1991. © Tate © Cornelia Parker.
If you’re a lover of British Art, then you have to get yourself down to the Tate Britain this summer. The much-awaited retrospective of Cornelia Parker is open until 16th October, and it’s not to be missed. Parker’s large scale installations dominate their wing of the Tate Modern, taking ordinary objects like cutlery, wood and the garden shed, and injecting them with thought-provoking meaning. Not one to shy away from confronting themes, Parker’s work has a playful side too. Reminiscent of a curious child’s creations, this retrospective is a wonderful exploration into the mind of the great Cornelia Parker. The entire exhibition leaves you in awe that one artist could create such a large body of work. Don’t take our word for it, visit the exhibition yourself.
United Visual Artists (UVA), Vanishing Point 3:1, 2022.
This new immersive exhibition at 180 The Strand unites sound and vision in ways you have never experienced before. Using immersive digital technology, a select group of artists have created mind-blowing immersive installations that ‘reimagine our future’. Playing with the senses, this group of visionary artists use AI, lasers, algorithms and holograms to create immersive environments that are a delight to experience. ‘Future Shock’ delves into ways that technology can change the way we experience and interact with art. Looking for an exhibition that will transport you to places unseen? Take a step into the future with a visit to 180 The Strand. ‘Future Shock’ runs until 28th August.
