Take Advantage of Opportunities as a student in London
Things to Do: A Checklist of Arty Places
Picture the scene, you are a student in a sprawling capital city, there are so many opportunities and the flashing lights in Soho and the lanterns in Chinatown have your head spinning. So much to do, but where to start.
Lets begin this in the classic survival style, with a mental checklist. As a student trying to experience real city life in London, food and recreation come to the top of the list, but to find the secret haunts sometimes we need to look beyond the first dazzling window.
As an English student, I tend to have a lot of free time in between lectures or after my lectures/seminars, and after a busy day in a non-stop city, I cannot help but crave some quiet moments; but how on earth is this possible?
The advantage of being in the capital insists that we have easy access to all the multitudes of museums and galleries. If you're at the centre of the hipster movement or wish to embrace all branches of modernism, then I would definitely recommend the Tate Modern. If you know me personally, then some of you will know that this is one of my favourite haunts. With a new extended building, this gallery is a multiplex for art and the benign.
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| The Saatchi Gallery |
1. The Tate Modern
The exhibits and gallery wings are beautiful the open ceilings and space are welcoming. With new exhibits every few months, once you become familiar with the space, it does get quite fun to see new artists featuring their art and the curator does a wonderful job at their job.
I always say to start with the Tate Modern, just because it's a personal favourite of mine, that alongside the fact that the gallery somehow manages to have something that catches the eye of every individual. Furthermore, the Tate Modern doesn't shy from being open minded, there are controversial pieces and yet still mixes the classics Monet with the eccentricities of Yayoi Kusama.
To find the Tate Modern, simply walk alongside the Southbank heading towards the direction of London Bridge and Borough Market, the museum's chimney tower is hard to miss.
Here are two photos of me and a friend having way too much with the Yayoi Kusuma exhibit.
This is actually my favourite piece, it is so special plus great for a few selfies, so no complaints there .
2. The White Cube
I have recently been able to add this little treasure to my list of visited galleries, this gem has many venues, I managed to visit the Bermondsey gallery a few minutes from London Bridge station, and Borough market, so if you're feeling a bit peckish before or after Borough Market is a great place for a quick bite. Similarly, if you're a coffee addict then Fuckoffee is just across the road. I didn't manage to visit but it's apparently amazing in terms of vibes and design.
The White Cube is truly special, it may be small in comparison to the Tate Modern, but in terms of space it is truly amazing. As you walk into the gallery you are absolutely hit by the size of the space, with a single large corridor running down the middle, the exhibits and gallery wings can be found through openings, there are no doors and everything is truly open to the public. Visiting this gallery is free of charge; therefore, being a favourite for a student such as myself.
The White Cube is definitely more private than the large museums such as the Tate, but it has a more intimate vibe, the quieter setting means that there are often less visitors despite having a larger variety of styles, ranging from photography, sculpture to painting.
3. The Serpentine Gallery
Situated in the middle of Hyde Park next to the Serpentine river and near Kensington Palace, this adorable little gallery is placed in a beautiful location. Because of this prime location, the gallery holds onto its little quirks.
Once again, entry is free and whilst this is one advantage, the Serpentine gallery is exceedingly small with the large rooms that lead you in a full circle, the first room is usually dedicated to a film before allowing the visitor to take two routes, left or right. Paved with large windows the gallery is spoilt for with natural lighting and the light coloured walls create a contrast with the exhibits on show.
If I had to describe the gallery with a few words I would have to state that it is minimalist yet stylish. It’s incredibly quaint; however, I found it only interesting as a quick visit before taking detour to the V&A, Natural History and Science Museum which are only within 15-20mins walk away.
4. The Saatchi Gallery
What a place to frequent! I've been visiting the Saatchi gallery for consecutive years since my first trip there with my school, back then I was still in my tender teen years. Visiting the gallery as an adult is a bit odd but I have learnt to really appreciate this gallery. In the two occurrences that I've visited the gallery I have been able to experience two different exhibits, recently I have had the joy of witnessing the Selfie Exhibit and it has to be my favourite so far. The combination of technology with art and how the Selfie has affected the creation of art was incredible to witness.
With multiple floors and located a few minutes walk from Sloane Square station, the Saatchi gallery is a favourite for many people, including myself, it's so open and the design of the building encourages exploration, each room is meant to introduce a new theme and enriches the visitor experience. I for one, will definitely be visiting again once there is a new exhibition and theme.
So there we go, just a few places to visit, they're all places that are open to public, include free entry, for some galleries such as the White Cube, they are open for the public on specific days, but are treasures and special in their own right.
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