Following an “extraordinary demand”, groups can now book tickets to go and see David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Lightroom in King’s Cross, until December.
The show is the result of three-year collaboration between David Hockney and the creators of Lightroom, described as the venue for an all-new art experience combining visual spectacle with high-tech audio.
It takes audiences on a journey through the artist’s work over 60 years with his voice as the soundtrack to the experience and an invitation to see the world through his eyes including some rarely seen pieces and newly created work.
A portrait of David Hockney, created by chalk artist Julian Beever, now sits outside the entrance to Lightroom in King’s Cross and was created to celebrate Hockney’s 86th birthday. The attraction has now welcomed more than 200,000 visitors since opening in February this year.
Richard Slaney, CEO of Lightroom, said “All of us at Lightroom wish David Hockney a very happy 86th birthday, and we are delighted to be collaborating with artist Julian Beever who has created this fantastic portrait of David to mark the occasion.
“In addition, to celebrate the birthday of one of our most iconic and revered artists, we are releasing more tickets. We have had a fantastic response from those who have experienced the show, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to Lightroom, who, for a limited time will also be able to see Julian’s portrait.”
The 45-minute show covers six chapters and viewers will see Hockney experimenting with perspective, using photography as a way of ‘drawing with a camera’, capturing the passing of time in his polaroid collages and the joy of spring on his iPad, and showing us why only paint can properly convey the hugeness of the Grand Canyon.
Groups can join him on his audio-visual Wagner Drive, roaring up into the San Gabriel Mountains, and into the opera house by means of animated re-creations of his stage designs.
From LA to Yorkshire, and up to the present day in Normandy, the show is said to be an unprecedented opportunity to spend time in the presence of one of the great popular geniuses of the art world still innovating, still creating beauty and awe.
There are discounts available for groups of 10 plus (differing depending on the size) for Monday-Thursday performances.
The innovative showspace was designed as a sister space to the award-winning Bridge Theatre. The foyer contains a café/bar, a gift shop and seating in the foyer and outside on the square. The venue is open seven days a week throughout the day and on most evenings.
For more information and to book visit www.lightroom.co.uk
With three London venues to choose from, and a fourth on the way, groups can expect a wide range of top performances across the rest of the year and into next.
Group travel organisers tell us about paying their respects to the Queen, visiting London, camping for hours and heading to Windsor Castle.
In The Black Fantastic, an exhibition running at the Hayward Gallery within the Southbank Centre in London, is said to be the UK’s first major exhibition dedicated to the work of black artists.
A cover from one of Elvis Presley’s guitars and his famous aviator sunglasses are on display at Direct from Graceland: Elvis at London Bridge until September.
