By Trudi-Rose Edwards
With seemingly limitless galleries and exhibition spaces in London, art lovers looking for their latest culture fix must navigate the near endless variety of choice that the capital has to offer. And with the rise of ‘after-hours’ offerings, the options are more plentiful than ever.
So where can you see over forty of the world’s greatest paintings, from The Fighting Temerarie to The Persistence of Memory, and enjoy an after-hours drink or two at the same time?
Frameless.
Located in an underground space near Marble Arch (the coolest things are always underground), Frameless is the UK’s largest permanent immersive art experience. It showcases 42 of the world’s favourite works of art in ways you’ve never seen before. From Kandinsky to Klimt, Cezanne to Canaletto, there’s something for everyone across the four permanent displays.
Now Frameless is going one step further with its monthly, adult-only, after-hours showings: ‘Frameless Lates’. These Friday night sessions offer access to Frameless’ four galleries and an exclusive first look at a new show from an emerging digital talent in its fifth ‘Blank Canvas’ space. There’s food, drinks and music courtesy of a live DJ set from Soho Radio all at a one-off £15 ticket price.
I went along to the second Frameless Lates night where Bristol-based digital artist Lewis Osborne’s first solo show ‘Chasing Happiness’ was being previewed before beginning its residency. His work – displayed in the Blank Canvas room – features colourful, cartoon animations encased in surreal, geometric environments. My favourite was one of his signature pieces; a character trying to chase happiness on an infinite staircase (no doubt a familiar feeling for many Londoners) to the sound of music supplied by Berlin-based electronic artist ASA 808. Lewis Osborne’s work will be on display at Frameless until 12th October 2023.
As for the permanent displays, well, they certainly didn’t disappoint. In Beyond Reality a clever arrangement of projections and mirrors sends you into the depths of surrealism as you teeter on the edge of reality. Where else can you visit and explore Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights or come face-to-face with Munch’s The Scream?
The Art of Abstraction lets you lose yourself in a maze of colour and shape courtesy of the pioneers of abstract art. Colour pops in every direction thanks to likes of Paul Klee, Robert Delaunay and, of course, Wassily Kandinsky.
Then there’s Colour in Motion, an ode to impressionism and one of the most immersive of all the galleries. Interact with every brush stroke as Van Gogh’s Starry Night over the Rhone and Paul Signac’s Mont Sant-Michel are composed right in front of your eyes. Walk through the blues and greens of Monet’s Waterlily Pond and chase brushstrokes around the room thanks to impressive motion-tracking technology.
After a quick pit-stop at Frameless’ funky Café Bar (which includes special daily cocktails), I entered the final (and my favourite) display – The World Around Us, a breath-taking six-sided projection that allows visitors to experience some of the greatest masterpieces of all time in 360-degree landscapes. From a bustling walk around Canaletto’s 18th century Piazza San Marco to the (terrifying) experience of battling Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee. If seeing some of the greatest masterpieces above, around, and underneath you isn’t enough of a sensory sensation, each painting is accompanied by a spectacular soundtrack chosen to enhance the experience. I was fortunate enough to have brought a musical-savvy friend with me. But if you don’t have a human-Shazam to hand Frameless includes details of all the music in each of their galleries and you can even listen to their specially curated playlists on Spotify.
Speaking of music, as promised, the wonderful DJ from Soho Radio – an online station that broadcasts live from both London and New York – supplied the vibes with an assortment of jazzy, salsa-y and appropriately ambient tunes. Something that truly elevates the whole late-night experience.
There’s something for everyone at Frameless Lates – whether you’re a classic art lover or have an appetite for new techniques and technologies. And by offering a residency to new and up-and-coming artists it ensures that the art scene in the UK continues to thrive in the modern age.
One thing’s for sure, Frameless will leave you breathless.
Dates: Lewis Osborne’s residency will run from 2nd September – 12th October when the Blank Canvas space is open.
Bookings for Frameless Lates: Book online at frameless.com
Location:Frameless, 6 Marble Arch, London W1H 7AP