London’s leading international performance art festival, Block Universe is back, with an extended 10 days worth of new commissions, UK premieres, talks, screenings and workshops.

Running from: Sat 26 May - Sun 03 Jun.

Positioning London at the forefront of international performance art, Block Universe 2018 will feature three UK premieres (Maria Hassabi, Giselle Stanborough and Nora Turato) and seven new, site-specific commissions (Evan Ifekoya & Victoria Sin, Gery Georgieva, Hanne Lippard, Alex Mirutziu, Last Yearz Interesting Negro/Jamila Johnson-Small, They Are Here and Laura Wilson) by artists working at the cross-section of contemporary visual art, dance and music. This year’s edition explores themes that act as a counterpoint to the current divisiveness created by contemporary politics, focusing on, as well as questioning, utopian ideals of community and collectivity. By addressing the ways in which we relate to one another, the contributors will respond both to the larger fabric of society that binds us as well as to the politics of sex and love in our personal relationships.

Block Universe’s expanded Public Programme will feature talks with key industry professionals, film screenings and participatory workshops. The Satellite Programme is a new addition to the festival programme and highlights events, specially commissioned performances and exhibitions.

Like previous years, performances will take place in major institutions and venues across London, including Somerset House, British Museum, Royal Academy of Arts and Studio Voltaire.

Programme:

Thursday, 24 May
Artist Talk: Maria Hassabi with Tate Curator Catherine Wood
The Store X, 180 The Strand, 7pm. Click here for more info and tickets.

Saturday, 26 May
Maria Hassabi
STAGING: UK Premiere: Solo #2
The Store X, 180 The Strand, durational 11am-7pm. This is a public event, no booking necessary.

Nora Turato
UK Premiere: leaning is the new sitting
Old Operating Theatre, 7pm. Click here for more info and tickets.    

Sunday, 27 May
Maria Hassabi
STAGING: UK Premiere: Solo #2
The Store X 180, The Strand, durational 11am-7pm. This is a public event, no booking necessary.

Last Yearz Interesting Negro/Jamila Johnson-Small
FuryZ - *A new Commission in partnership with Gaia Art Foundation.
Reliance Square, 8pm. Click here for more info and tickets. 

Monday, 28 May
Gery Georgieva
Untitled - *A new Commission in partnership with Outset*
Oval Space, 7pm. Click here for more info and tickets.

STAGING: A Movement Workshop with Maria Hassabi
Siobhan Davies Dance, 2-4pm. Click here for more info and tickets.  

Tuesday, 29 May
Evan Ifekoya & Victoria Sin
Scripting Speculative Bodies… Where The Tentacles Reign Supreme - *A new commission.
The Brunel Museum, Thames Tunnel, 7pm. Click here for more info and tickets 

Wednesday, 30 May
Hanne Lippard
Reading - *A new Commission in Partnership with Somerset House Studios.
Somerset House, Lancaster Room, 8pm. Click here for more info and tickets.  

Thursday, 31 May
Giselle Stanborough
UK Premiere: Lozein: Find The Lover You Deserve
Senate House, University of London, 5-9pm durational. Click here for more info and tickets.

Friday, 1 June
Laura Wilson
You would almost expect to find it warm - *A new site-specific commission in partnership with Franck Bordese.
British Museum, 4-8pm durational. This is a public event, no booking necessary.

Saturday, 2 June
Alex Mirutziu
Doing Sub Thinking - *A new Commission in partnership with Delfina Foundation and European Art East Foundation.
Annenberg Courtyard, Royal Academy of the Arts, 3-4 pm. This is a public event, no booking necessary.

They Are Here
ROUTINE - *A new Commission in association with Studio Voltaire.
Studio Voltaire, 8:30 pm. Tickets available shortly through Studio Voltaire.

Sunday, 3 June
They Are Here
ROUTINE - *A new Commission in association with Studio Voltaire.
Studio Voltaire, 8:30 pm. Tickets available shortly through Studio Voltaire.