Image courtesy of Meet Vincent van Gogh
February is here. By now the novelty of the cold has worn off and we are all just seeing if we can hang on until the more amiable temperatures of springtime. But there is no need to while away the weeks hovelled up at home scratching your head for things to do.
With such a myriad of cultural offerings in the capital this month, from film screenings to craft workshops, exhibitions and not to forget Fashion Week, there is plenty to keep you busy here in London town.
Dialogue in the Dark
Dialogue in the Dark is an immersive sensory exhibition in which you are denied the ability to see. Taking place in complete darkness, participants navigate through a simulation of various London settings. In a world without visual cues, you must instead utilize your other senses: smell, touch and sound. The exhibition was founded in 1988 as a role reversal experience whereby the sighted are shown how to orient the world in other ways by those with visual impairments.
Image from dialogueinthedarklondon.com
Dialogue in the Dark will take place on the 1st of February at SPACE Studios 129-131 Mare Street, Hackney. Tickets can be bought here.
A Silver Ring Workshop at Kas & Ros
Founded by two award winning designers, Ros Millar and Kasun Ekanayake, Ros & Kas is a jewellery store located on the Tower Bridge Road that is worth a visit any day of the month. However, they also offer workshops which give you the chance to design and create your very own piece of jewellery! You could spend the afternoon crafting your personalized piece using a wax carving technique, before preparing it for it for casting in either silver or gold.
Image from Kas & Ros Store
The workshop will take place from 3-5pm on 2nd of February, at Kas & Ros Store 61 Tower Bridge Road. Tickets can be bought here.
The Apollo of Gaza
In the summer of 2013 a 2000 year old statue of Apollo was discovered in the nets of a fisherman in Gaza. The statue then vanished, beginning a series of speculations as to the motivations behind the disappearance and its whereabouts. The Apollo of Gaza by director Nicolas Wadimoff follows the stories of various players in its discovery (and subsequent disappearance), melding myth, lies and reality. Organised by Asia House and The Barakat Trust in partnership with the London Palestine Film Festival and The Centre of Palestine Studies of SOAS, the event is part of Converging Paths 2020, a year-long series which aims to challenge misconceptions about the Islamic world. The screening will be followed by a presentation and Q&A with the director.
Image from the Bakarat Trust
The Apollo of Gaza will be shown at the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre in SOAS, University of London Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square on 5th February at 6.45pm. Tickets can be bought here.
The Meet Vincent Van Gogh Experience
The Meet Vincent Van Gogh Experience will make its UK debut on London’s South Bank this February. This multisensory experience follows the artist’s life and explores his enduring legacy. Bringing together the Van Gogh Museum’s research, it will feature a collection of the artist’s personal letters, theatrical projections and interactive installations.
Image courtesy of Meet Vincent van Gogh
The Vincent Van Gogh Experience is running from 7th Feb – 21st May at London South Bank, 99 Upper Ground, Bishop's. Opening times Sunday – Wednesday 10am – 6pm, Thursday – Saturday 10am-10pm. Tickets can be bought here.
Kew Orchid Festival
Kew’s 25th annual orchid festival will this year celebrate the wildlife and culture of Indonesia, a country with over 4,000 species of orchid. Visitors can walk through different zones in Kew’s the Princess of Wales Conservatory in which various displays of the flower, including life-size animals and an erupting volcano, will represent different aspects of the archipelago’s flora and fauna. Throughout the festival there will be a program of evening events including talks on the curation of the exhibit, live gamelan music and traditional dancers and cookery demonstrations from chef Petty Elliott.
Image from Kew Gardens
The Festival is running from 8th Feb – 8th March at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond. Opening times 10am-4.15pm. Visitors must book a timed ticket slot here.
A Bath Salt Making Workshop with Earl of East
Can’t get enough of Ear of East’s delicious candles and skincare? Us neither. Thankfully they are offering two classes in February in which you’ll have the chance to make your own bath salts. Led by their studio assistants, you will discuss the effects of aromatherapy and test their selection of essential oils and salts before crafting your personal recipe.
Image courtesy of Earl of East
The workshop is taking place at Earl of East, CDY, Stable Street, Kings Cross on the 9th and 23rd Feb at 11am. Tickets can be bought here.
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