Exhibition Review: Portrait Of A Top Boy @ Somerset House

Portrait Of A Top Boy at Somerset House Embankment Galleries // Words and Photos: Saam Das

What a pleasant surprise it was to stumble upon the free pop-up of Portrait Of A Top Boy at Somerset House recently, while wandering around for London's Open House Festival. 'Top Boy' enters its final stretch this month, with the concluding season of the inner city crime drama now on Netflix, and this exhibition has been curated by Ronan Mckenzie to both promote the show as well as a series of emerging black artists.

Exhibition Review: Freddie Mercury - A World Of His Own

Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own (Sotheby's, London) // Words: Saam Das

On his 2007 UK number one single, Mika "tried a little Freddie", referencing the late and great Freddie Mercury - thanks to the latest exhibition at the world renowned Sotheby's in London, we all now get to 'try a little Freddie' too. Thousands of the former Queen frontman's personal possessions have been put on display, prior to being auctioned, in this incredible smorgasbord of memorabilia.

Exhibition Review: Celebrating Seven Decades Of Status Quo @ Barbican

Celebrating Seven Decades Of Status Quo at Barbican Centre, London (16 Feb - 22 May 2023) // Words: Saam Das

British rock outfit Status Quo have been "rocking all over the world" (ahem) since the Sixties, with over fifty UK Top 40 charting singles and twenty five UK top ten albums, making them one of the most successful bands of all time. Unsurprisingly, they've built up a considerable fanbase over the years, culminating in a free new exhibition based within the Library of the Barbican Centre in London, Celebrating Seven Decades Of Status Quo.

Exhibition Review: Rock Against Racism - Militant Exhibition Tour @ St Mary In The Castle

Rock Against Racism: Militant Entertainment Tour exhibition at St Mary In The Castle, Hastings // Words: Saam Das

The Rock Against Racism movement was founded in the UK in 1976 in opposition to comments made by prominent musicians, David Bowie and Eric Clapton, whose actions were symptomatic of a rising (and often violent) sentiment against various minorities at the time. Sadly, this all still strikes a chord over thirty years on. Therefore, this new exhibition in Hastings celebrating the activism of the movement, including their support from bands such as The Clash and The Specials, feels particularly timely.

Exhibition Review: Rebel Sounds @ Imperial War Museum

Rebel Sounds (5 July 2019-5 January 2020) at Imperial War Museum, London // Words: Saam Das

"Is it okay to attack culture in order to win a war?" A fascinating question posed by London's Imperial War Museum to lead their Culture Under Attack season, comprising three central exhibitions alongside performances and talks, discussing attempts to erase and protect culture in modern war-time. One of three exhibitions, Rebel Sounds, uses case studies to highlight how music can be key in resisting oppression and sounding off (pun intended) against war.

Review: Catch Design Museum's Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition While You Can

Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition (Design Museum, London) // Words: Saam Das // Photos: Ed Reeve

Twenty years on from his passing, a touring exhibition celebrating visionary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick has finally arrived in the UK, his adopted home. Raised in New York, Kubrick moved to Hertfordshire in the 1970s, living there until his death in 1999. The UK would become not just a base for his family but also for his work, and Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition at London’s Design Museum appropriately delves into his particularly close relationship with the city.

Exhibition Review: Censored! Stage, Screen, Society At 50 @ V & A Museum

Censored! Stage, Screen, Society At 50 at Victoria and Albert Museum (10 July 2018-27 January 2019) // Words: Saam Das

The Lord Chamberlain's Theatres Act of 1968 brought an end to censorship for British theatre - or did it? The Victoria and Albert Museum (more specifically, curators Anna Landreth Strong and Simon Sladen) are on hand to investigate. The free Censored! Stage, Screen, Society At 50 display reflects on the history of regulation in the theatre setting from the 17th century through to more recent censorship issues across film and music, as well as on stage.

Exhibition Review: Get Ready To SPICEUP Your Life At This London Exhibition

SPICEUP London (Business Design Centre, 28 July-20 Aug 2018) // Words & Photos: Saam Das

In May 1996, a new British pop group burst onto the UK music scene with the video for their debut single, 'Wannabe'. Johan Camitz's iconic video was filmed at London's Grand Midland Hotel in St Pancras, and twenty two years on and millions of record sales later, a new exhibition down the road in Islington entitled SPICEUP is celebrating the Spice Girls' incredible history.

Exhibition Review: David Bowie Is @ V&A (2013)

'David Bowie is' exhibition at Victoria & Albert Museum, London (23 March - 11 Aug '13) // Words: Saam Das

At face value, it may appear that the V&A are attempting to cash-in on the recent David Bowie revival, which has culminated in a number one UK album. Yet this new David Bowie is exhibition has been the fruit of three years of hard work. Bowie's re-appearance has given the exhibition a deserved boost - an impressively comprehensive and immersive exploration into the career of David Bowie.

Month In Reviews: January 2013

Even though January's now over, we're still reflecting on 2012. It was a good year. January's got off to a decent start though with unexpected returns for David Bowie and The Strokes and fine albums from the likes of Cult Of Luna. Film awards season is also in full flow, with heavy hitting Oscar contenders like Les Miserables still out in UK cinemas.

Exhibition Review: Hollywood Costume @ V&A

Hollywood Costume exhibition at Victoria & Albert Museum, London // Words: Saam Das

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London proclaims itself to be "the world's greatest museum of art and design". Quite frankly, that's a little pompous for my tastes but their excellent ongoing Hollywood Costume exhibition lends some credence to that tag. Aptly portraying costume design as an integral part of the filmmaking process, its popularity has undoubtedly been driven by its fantastic array of movie costumes - including Dorothy from 'The Wizard Of Oz' to Spider-Man, by way of Darth Vader.

Exhibition Review: The Art Of Frankenweenie [LFF 2012]

'The Art Of Frankenweenie' (London, 17th-21st October) // Words & Photos: Saam Das

The more we think about Tim Burton's new stop motion animation, 'Frankenweenie', the more we enjoy it. Opening the 56th BFI London Film Festival, it is now on release in UK cinemas. To celebrate that, Disney have put together a small but excellent exhibition taking visitors behind the scenes of the new film. Pictures and more information below.