What art and culture lovers should do in London this summer

f Filling your spare time with as many activities as possible is the top priority at the moment, and you are not alone. Considering how the limitations of the past 18 months have made us all grateful for the things in life we ​​used to take for granted, it’s no wonder that many of us want to make up for lost time — whether it’s an impromptu dinner with friends or an afternoon spent exploring this The cultural treasures that this city offers.

However, if the pandemic has left space for visiting galleries, exhibitions and installations empty, don’t worry: there will be an impressive array of cultural events to explore in the coming months.

For example, you won’t want to miss this summer’s London art season: Piccadilly and its surrounding areas have become a colorful art canvas celebrating the West End of London as the capital’s cultural center.

From the footprints of 25 life-size sculptural lions designed by respected creatives to the opportunity to paint, paint and sketch in Trafalgar Square led by artists, here are eight great ideas for you The capital spends the next cultural day.

International talents from all over the world came together to create The Tusk Lion Trail, a project involving 25 impressive life-size lion sculptures, which are placed all over London.

With the mission of celebrating and raising awareness of the African lion-its population is thought to have been reduced by at least 50% in the past 25 years-this trail was designed by many well-known figures, including artists Ian Davenport, Gavin Turk, Hannah Shergold With David Mach, and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones. Follow the pride of the iconic landmark of London’s West End.

Learn more about the rich and multi-layered works of Kenyan-born artist Michael Armitage at the Royal Academy of Art. As one of the most exciting figures in contemporary painting, Armitage’s works deal with social norms, religious ideologies, politics and cultural clichés. This series is at the same time colorful, dreamlike and thought-provoking.

Know and book tickets here

During the first Covid lockdown, David Hockney spent a few days at his home in Normandy, digitally “painting” on his iPad to observe the unfolding of spring and capture the blooming scene.

Now, these works are exhibited for the first time at the Royal Academy of Art, in David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020, an exhibition exploring nature and the passage of time.

Learn more and book tickets here

Discover art in the open air! The arrival of eye-catching flags, colorful crosswalks, and a series of specially produced films by artists Michael Armitage, Vanessa Jackson RA, Isaac Julien CBE RA, Farshid Moussavi OBE RA, and Yinka Shonibare CBE RA make Piccadilly’s journey into The cultural experience of the journey is not to be missed.

Before you visit, please make sure you download the augmented reality app so that when you snoop into any of the 27 London art frames in the entire area, you will find a famous work of art. More importantly, the Augmented Gallery trail now includes four must-see masterpieces in the outdoor exhibition of the National Gallery, as well as other famous attractions.

Visitors can also join the Augmented Reality 10 screen experience and audio synchronization through their mobile phones-a landmark that has never been seen before.

If you want to use your artistic talents, head to Trafalgar Square. You can participate in free outdoor activities every day until August 31.

The National Gallery’s sketches on the square invite visitors to sketch, draw, and paint on 30 easels set up in the iconic location. On-site meetings are hosted by artists and educators.

All courses are free and open to people of all ages, but some artist-led courses require reservations.learn more here

This summer, Trafalgar Square will also host a pop-up gallery. Life-size replicas of iconic paintings — including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, and Turner’s “Battle of Temerel” — can be admired in the British sun, located in In front of the neoclassical facade of the National Gallery. do not miss it.

Eager to experience some good theater? Then head to Wyndham’s Theatre, where you can admire Olivier’s Best New Play Award winner Leopoldstadt.

The play tells the story of the marriage of a Jewish man Hermann Merz and a Catholic woman Gretl. Set against the background of war, revolution and massacre, it is an intimate drama that you will never forget.

Learn more and book tickets here

When a busy day of cultural activities makes you feel a little hungry, what better place to enjoy food in an environment full of art and design?

Two textile wall hangings by Olafur Eliasson and Barbro Nilsson are the focal point of Aquavit, a Michelin-starred Nordic restaurant whose stylish interior is attributed to Martin Brudnizk’s design studio in Sweden.

Learn more and book a table here

For more ideas on what to do and see in London this summer, please visit artoflondon.co.uk And follow @theartofldn on Facebook and Instagram