Somerset House

What makes something ‘cute’? Inside the exhibition defining the phenomenon

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Glittering and adorned with stickers, cute plasters and whimsical jewellery, they, like this exhibition, stand out in the late-January weather.

Key Points: 
  • Glittering and adorned with stickers, cute plasters and whimsical jewellery, they, like this exhibition, stand out in the late-January weather.
  • It can only be the gallery’s new exhibition on Cute – the first large-scale exhibition to examine the phenomenon.
  • This encapsulates the most obvious secondary function of cute – intense consumerism, and its ability to sell objects of all kinds.

Cute is a slippery word

  • Playing on the word “slipperiness”, which is invoked several times in the catalogue, the exhibition’s efforts to put cute into distinct categories wrestles with its fluid qualities, which clamour for attention among the many objects on display.
  • Objects of all kinds harness the differing qualities of cute to incite emotions – of sympathy, tenderness, love and desire.
  • The “cute universe” offers a deeper look at the concept through displays on community, how cute can disguise agendas, the juxtaposition of cute and horror and the glistening promise of cute as a future lifestyle aesthetic.

Playing with scale

  • The exhibition also plays with scale, with both oversized and undersized installations.
  • This makes visitors feel they’ve become children once again, playing with tiny toys or experiencing an oversized world.
  • Within cute is a performance of desire, filling in the gap between what we have and what we have lost.
  • And yet, as I thought about the exhibition on my journey home, I craved a second helping.


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Hui-Ying Kerr received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council for her Doctorate in History of Design on Japanese
culture in the 1980s economic bubble.

The Best Festive Bits: From 'Lit' Beaches to Mistletoe Farms, These Are The UK's Top Yuletide Hot Spots

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 11, 2023

LONDON, Dec. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd: After what's been nothing short of a challenging year, over three quarters (87%) of UK adults are wishing for this Christmas to be their best one yet.

Key Points: 
  • This comes as this year, 98% of Brits are seeking value for money when planning festive outings.
  • So, to help the nation enjoy all the best bits the UK has to offer, Fearne Cotton is spotlighting the best Christmas outings that won't break the bank.
  • Complemented by stunning photography of local festive hotspots, powered by the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.
  • Samsung Ambassador, Fearne Cotton comments: "There is so much beauty to be discovered in the UK over the festive season.

The rich history of black British fashion is explored in an exciting new exhibition

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Looking to widen that lens, The Missing Thread tells the rich history of black British Fashion.

Key Points: 
  • Looking to widen that lens, The Missing Thread tells the rich history of black British Fashion.
  • The Missing Thread is a careful and honest curation of black identity and displacement that tells stories of creativity and resilience.
  • The exhibition begins with “Home”, an area filled with photography, artwork and fashion representing what it meant to be black and British in the 1970s and 1980s.
  • The Missing Thread highlights black culture’s contributions to art, fashion and music by highlighting its resiliency, resourcefulness and self expression.

Immersive, Interactive Exhibit, A.I. VERSUS HUMANITY launches at and in partnership with London Design Biennale for A.I. thought-leadership Forum at Somerset House

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 8, 2023

LONDON, June 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the initial launch of Life Calling's immersive exhibition, A Species Between Worlds: Our Nature Our Screens at London Design Biennale, Founder and artist, provocateur and global lecturer, John Mack will host The Global Game: Remapping our Nature in the Digital Age at London Design Biennale for A.I. thought-leadership Forum at Somerset House on June 13, at blank time.

Key Points: 
  • Themed "AI will never surpass our humanity", Mack will extend his unique stance on such complex issues on humanity and psychology vis a vis the digital age.
  • The question is not whether AI will learn compassion or realize consciousness, but rather will humanity learn compassion and realize consciousness.
  • Bringing together over 45 exhibition teams from across the world, London Design Biennale, now open at Somerset House, demonstrates the ability of design to bring people together and enact change.
  • Adds Mack: "Life Calling has shown up to London Design Biennale with a twist on how we think of design.

Visible Shop has won the Best Design Medal at London Design Biennale 2023

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, June 4, 2023

TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Taiwan Pavilion proudly presents the award winning "Visible Shop" exhibition from 1st June at Somerset House during London Design Biennale, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Taiwan Pavilion proudly presents the award winning "Visible Shop" exhibition from 1st June at Somerset House during London Design Biennale, 2023.
  • It is organised by the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), curated by Ling-Li Tseng, with overall design by Serendipity Studio and installation design by Loudly Lightning.
  • Taiwan's "Visible Shop" was awarded this year's Best Design Medal by the London Design Biennale jury, finishing above 40 other pavilions.
  • At the medal ceremony on 1st June 2023, the curator Ling-Li Tseng thanked the London Design Biennale for the opportunity, which has made "Visible Shop" even more "Visible" to the world of design.

John Mack, artist and founder of Life Calling, will be taking centre stage at the USA Pavilion at London Design Biennale, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. Embassy

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Since 2016, Mack has committed himself to one of the most pressing conversations of our times: the digital takeover of human consciousness.

Key Points: 
  • Since 2016, Mack has committed himself to one of the most pressing conversations of our times: the digital takeover of human consciousness.
  • Visitors will be immersed in two different worlds as Mack uses digital game design to highlight mankind's growing disconnection from nature.
  • "I'm delighted to be able to bring my exhibition, A Species Between Worlds, to London Design Biennale.
  • Their inclusion of topics as AI, housed within world-class design, shows incredible care and responsibility for critical, global issues.

Emirati Creativity to Be Featured at London Design Biennale

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 4, 2023

This year’s London Design Biennale, running from 1 - 25 June at Somerset House, will feature Dubai representation in the form of the ‘And Beyond’ design installation, created by Emirati architect and designer Abdalla Almulla, commissioned by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).

Key Points: 
  • This year’s London Design Biennale, running from 1 - 25 June at Somerset House, will feature Dubai representation in the form of the ‘And Beyond’ design installation, created by Emirati architect and designer Abdalla Almulla, commissioned by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).
  • Visitors to the London Design Biennale can experience the power of human connection and the evolution of collaboration through immersive design and story-telling.
  • The London Design Biennale continues its mission to demonstrate how design can better the world we inhabit.
  • Since its inception the Biennale has welcomed the world’s most exciting and ambitious designers, innovators and cultural bodies to the capital.

SNOW PATROL ANNOUNCE 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF 'FINAL STRAW'

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 10, 2023

LOS ANGELES, March 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Snow Patrol has announced details of a 20th Anniversary edition of their classic record Final Straw, with a previously unreleased demo version of their anthemic hit "Chocolate" out now.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, March 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Snow Patrol has announced details of a 20th Anniversary edition of their classic record Final Straw, with a previously unreleased demo version of their anthemic hit "Chocolate" out now.
  • The anniversary edition includes 23 additional tracks*, including never-before-heard demos, B-sides, live tracks from the band's August 2004 show at London's Somerset House, and a previously commercially unreleased track, "Tired."
  • Click HERE to preorder the 20th Anniversary LP of Final Straw.
  • "I still have days where I don't believe much of the last 20 years," writes Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody in extensive liner notes accompanying the release.

Textile Artist Alice Kettle wins the 2023 Brookfield Properties Craft Award

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 2, 2023

LONDON, March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognised as one of the most important textile artists in the UK, Alice Kettle, represented by Candida Stevens Gallery, has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Brookfield Properties Craft Award. Kettle won the award, a leading contemporary craft prize for UK-based artists worth the equivalent value of £60,000, in recognition of her significant contribution to the national story of contemporary craft and making. 

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognised as one of the most important textile artists in the UK, Alice Kettle , represented by Candida Stevens Gallery , has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Brookfield Properties Craft Award.
  • Kettle won the award, a leading contemporary craft prize for UK-based artists worth the equivalent value of £60,000, in recognition of her significant contribution to the national story of contemporary craft and making.
  • The artist was selected as the award winner by the curatorial teams at Crafts Council and Brookfield Properties.
  • This year we celebrate an artist committed to her practice and an ever-changing narrative, which we strongly believe will create two stunning summer shows for the public."

Patrick McDowell unveils his latest collection 'Marie Antoinette Goes to Liverpool' and debut collaboration with TENCEL™

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 19, 2022

LONDON, Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick McDowell revealed his new London Fashion Week collection and debut collaboration with TENCEL™️ lyocell fibres and TENCEL™ LUXE filament yarns, under Lenzing's textile specialty brand, created to enhance sustainability in the luxury and high-end fashion sector.

Key Points: 
  • - Patrick McDowell, Founder and Creative Director of Patrick McDowell
    "Having Patrick McDowell as our Designer in Residence and Sustainability Ambassador this year has been an honour.
  • Harold Weghorst, Global Vice President Marketing & Branding at Lenzing AG
    About Patrick McDowell: PATRICK MCDOWELL is an independent sustainable brand based in the heart of London.
  • Product brands under TENCEL include TENCEL Active, TENCEL Denim, TENCEL Home, TENCEL Intimate, TENCEL LUXE and TENCEL for Footwear.
  • About TENCEL LUXE: TENCEL LUXE lyocell filament yarn is created via eco-filament technology under TENCEL, the textile specialty brand of the Lenzing Group.