Somerset House has an exciting family-friendly programme of activities this summer.
Until 22 August, the beautiful courtyard is home to a futuristic fairground, Dodge. Here you will find musical dodgems, art installations and food by the wonderful Jimmy Garcia. The dodgem rides will be like no other you have experienced before – the random movements of the cars will, through wireless technology, generate lights and electronic sounds. Each car has its unique music and every ‘bump’ will spark “explosive new musical material” from Mercury Prize-shortlisted musician Anna Meredith and sound artist Nick Ryan.
A free exhibition, No Comply, which charts the impact of skateboarding on communities and culture in the UK, will run until 19 September. Presented through film, photography and design, this fascinating exhibition explores three themes through the history of the subculture: the city as playground, skateboarding communities and DIY culture.
A wonderfully reflective exhibition, Create, Capture, Organise, Pluralise, is running until 31 October. This exhibition explores the notion of the body being an archive, being a collection of stories, experiences and memories, considered through film, sculpture and printed works.
Somerset House is located on the Strand, which, from Hertford Street, is a scenic walk through Green Park, St James’ Park and along the river. A fine example of Neoclassical architecture, designed by Sir William Chambers in 1776, it stands on the site of a Tudor palace which was built in 1547 for the Duke of Somerset. It’s home to the Courtauld Institute of Art and has been used as a filming location for titles including Love Actually, Sherlock Holmes, GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies.