For the first time in its shared history, Somerset House and The Courtauld will throw open doors all around the spectacular central courtyard for a true site-takeover of Somerset House, packed with exclusive experiences themed around current exhibitions.
The first of three special Morgan Stanley Lates taking place each year, these fun nights out will offer after-hours access and activities across Somerset House and The Courtauld Gallery, as well as street food pop-ups, bars and sunset DJ sets to see you through the evening.
Take part in curator tours, pop-up talks and object study sessions throughout the Gallery, including after hours access to The Morgan Stanley Exhibition: Van Gogh. Self-Portraits, and a range of other exciting activities taking place across Somerset House.
After-hours exhibition entry to The Courtauld and all Somerset House activities will be free to those aged 25.
Lead Partner
In The Courtauld
Connecting to the international theme, The Courtauld explores the global artists in its esteemed collection for the first Lates event. The Courtauld’s world-class art historians, conservators and curators will host unique tours, pop-up talks and object study sessions across its three floors of gallery space, including the critically-acclaimed Van Gogh. Self-Portraits exhibition, focussing on art moulded by the movement of people.
From Van Gogh, who was inspired to paint in his non-native France, to the Huguenots who designed and produced silverware objects after fleeing religious prosecution, the evening’s events give voice to the stories and perspectives of artists who communicate and challenge our sense of belonging or feeling of alienation in the world.
In the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
Leeroy New will be one of the special guests opening the first ever Lates event. Best known for his colourful, futuristic sculptural transformations of random recycled objects, collaborating with the likes of Lady Gaga on her otherworldly outfits and exhibiting at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, New will lead a free, live interactive sculpting event in front of his first major UK commission – The Arks of Gimokudan – a striking outdoor installation of fantastical ships, constructed using recycled goods, docked in the centre of Somerset House’s courtyard throughout the month of Earth Day.
Each vessel draws upon the history, culture and mythologies of New’s home nation, the Philippines, the country cited as being most at risk from the climate crisis, bringing attention to the communities which face irreversible damage from the effects of rising sea levels and temperatures, but which are often merely an afterthought in today’s climate change debates.
Leeroy New will be joined in the courtyard by choreographer Julia Cheng. Especially for this first Lates event, Cheng will choreograph an electrifying new contemporary dance piece in response to The Arks of Gimokudan, accompanied by a new sound commission composed by Nicola Chang and performed by dance artists Rajib Manandhar and Faye Stoeser.
In the East and West Wing Galleries
Throughout the evening, visitors aged 25 and under will receive free access to the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition, located within Somerset House’s East and West Wings, showcasing some of the world’s best photography from the past year, with a special selection of works by the renowned Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky.
