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The Empire Strikes Back
Discover contemporary Indian art at this free Saatchi Gallery exhibition. India's contemporary art market is expanding rapidly, with thriving art galleries in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. The Empire Strikes Back features 26 emerging and established Indian artists, most of whom have never been shown before in the UK.
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Against this backdrop, Indian artists are making a wide range of work. The issues explored in the exhibition include:
• The Raj and its legacy
• Gandhi and Nehru
• Urban expansion
• India's slums
• Issues around migration
Till 7 May
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Telling Tales: Fantasy and fear in contemporary design.
The Victoria and Albert museum has recently launched Telling Tales, an exhibition exploring fantasy and fear in contemporary design.
Find out moreThe exhibition explores the recent trend among European designers for unique or limited edition pieces that push the boundaries between art and design. It showcases furniture, lighting and ceramics, designed by a new generation of international designers, who are all inspired by the spirit of story-telling.
Each tells a tale through their use of decorative devices, historical allusions or choice of materials, sharing common themes such as fantasy, parody and a concern with mortality. The exhibition runs till October 2009 and admission is free .
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West End audiences defy recession
West End theatres appear to be thriving despite the recession, with figures showing record audiences. Audiences in the 12 months to 18 July were up 2.5% on the similar period last year, with box office takings up 3.5%.
Find out moreNearly 7m visits were made to shows in the first half of the year, the Society of London Theatre said. It said the figures were a "cause for celebration" and credited the quality of West End shows, with musicals remaining the most popular. The society's figures indicated that 61% of all theatregoers had attended musicals such as Billy Elliot, Blood Brothers or Oliver! .
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Popeye the failure man: free exhibit
Ever wondered why Olive was so skinny and why Popeye only ever ate tinned spinach? Was it because it this is what people did in ‘those days’ or was it just hard times?
Find out moreIn this exhibit, American pop artist Jeff Koons revisits a much-loved comicstrip character, Popeye, in his first major London exhibition. Some of the sculptures and paintings by Jeff Koons have never been exhibited in public before, and some are from private collections. His Popeye exhibition is a mix of the surreal and everyday and, while it may seem wacky, its central theme is fitting for these cash-strapped times. The Jeff Koons exhibition is free for all at the Serpentine Gallery and is open till September 2009.
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