Art Night reveals blockbuster programme as the festival gears up for its third edition

Art Night has announced the latest details of its 2018 programme, with new commissions to debut alongside one-off projects from emerging and established artists. Now in its third edition, the festival takes place over a single night, commandeering iconic venues throughout south London for the first this year.

London’s largest free contemporary arts festival will kick off at 6pm on Saturday 7 July, running through the next morning until 6am along a trail between Hayward Gallery and Battersea Power Station, through Vauxhall and Nine Elms. It’s a rare chance to access some of London’s most special spaces after hours, including the British Film Institute (BFI); the Bargehouse at Oxo Tower Wharf; the historic Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens; the member’s room of the Kia Oval Cricket Ground; and more.

Hayward Gallery director Ralph Rugoff has overseen the development of 12 core projects with Art Night’s exhibition team, working to the themes of ‘home’ and ‘urban landscape’. Rugoff’s efforts are complemented by this year’s Art Night Open programme, which will see over 50 institutions and venues ‘activate’ the trail with immersive multimedia installations, interactive experiences, film screenings, performances and experimental music.

Highlights of the Art Night Open programme include the UK premiere of Mexican artist Bosco Sodi’s interactive installation Muro (2018), a 2m high by 8m long wall comprising 1,600 clay bricks built by the artist in the riverside square of the National Theatre on the South Bank. Once installed, passersby will be invited to dismantle the wall brick-by-brick throughout the night, taking part of the artwork home.

Further down the trail, Random International will be unveiling a permanent outdoor commission, titled Self and Other (for Albert Embankment), in the Albert Embankment Plaza at St James’ Merano Residences, which will be activated throughout the night by dance performances by Studio Wayne McGregor. Elswhere, Newport Street Gallery is extending its opening hours until midnight, exhibiting work by Helen Beard, Sadie Laska and Boo Saville, and will host a special DJ set by the latter at the gallery’s in-house restaurant Pharmacy 2, with a bespoke Art Night menu created by Mark Hix no less.

‘Art Night Open represents a diverse cultural scene of London and beyond, with artists, curators and arts organisations contributing special projects in response to the celebratory spirit of the night-time festival,’ explains Art Night Open director Zarina Rossheart. ‘From an artist take-over of an entire building at Oxo Tower Wharf, through to an intimate installation at the Nine Elms Pier, every project of Art Night Open is a unique site-specific experience.’

New this year is an evening of video screenings presented by Art Night and the David Roberts Art Foundation (DRAF) at Battersea Power Station’s Village Hall, including works by artists David Shrigley, Cyprien Gaillard, and Nicolas Provost. The event will be followed by a club night hosted in collaboration with Lisson Gallery (open until 4am); featuring a special screening of Hans Berg and Nathalie Djurberg’s Waterfall Variations and music sets by artists Hans Berg and Haroon Mirza. §