Back in January of 2023, Lightroom launched its much anticipated immersive art exhibition space. The impressive space features impressive, wall-covering screens that tower over viewers and find them swallowed up in the artwork. And to launch the space’s unique blend of visual spectacle and high-tech audio they turned to beloved English artist, David Hockney.
Lightroom and Hockney worked for three years on the venue’s first-ever show, hoping to start with something that hit all the marks. And they sure kicked things off with a bang. The resulting debut show, ‘David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)’, was a runaway success. It wound up being extended countless times and ran all the way to December. At that point, it was replaced by the Tom Hank-narrated space exploration experience, Moonwalkers.
But now, Hockney’s show is back again and running in conjunction with the Moonwalkers experience. The two shows will run concurrently from June 17 through to October 13, 2024.
David Hockney at Lightroom
Tracing its way across 60 years of Hockney’s work, ‘David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)‘ is a truly remarkable show. Narration from Hockney brings a personal touch to the experience that draws viewers deeper into his world. Visitors are invited to see the world through his eyes as he experiments with different mediums and formats.
The show encompasses iconic Hockney artworks, rarely-seen pieces, and all-new creations made just for the show. It’s split into six chapters and takes us on a journey to the lands and places that inspired his art. As well as diving into the art itself, viewers are whisked away to LA, Yorkshire, the Grand Canyon, and Normandy. And throughout, Hockney reminds us to look closely, and really see the world around us.
As Hockney says in the show:
“The world is very very beautiful if you look at it, but most people don’t look very much. They scan the ground in front of them so they can walk, they don’t really look at things incredibly well, with an intensity. I do.”
Free tickets
In a delightful turn of events, it turns out that both Hanks and Hockney were born on July 9, so Lightroom is celebrating both of their birthdays with free tickets. If it’s your birthday during the pair’s birthday week (from July 8-14 inclusive), you can visit one of the Lightroom shows for FREE!
The offer is valid for in-person booking only, and you must have a valid ID with you to claim the free ticket. You can grab one free ticket to either Hockney’s Bigger & Closer or Hanks’ The Moonwalkers.
Hanks and Hockney
Given the scope of the two shows, even a venue as impressive as Lightroom requires a bit of changeover time between shows. This means that shows won’t run back to back. Instead, Moonwalkers plays from Thursday to Saturday, while Hockney’s show takes over from Sunday to Tuesday. Both shows run on Wednesdays, with Hockney in the morning, and Moonwalkers through the afternoon into the evening.
That means if you absolutely need to see both shows on the same day – Wednesday is the day for it! Just make sure you’ve found a good place for lunch in between the shows. (There are plenty of great restaurants nearby!) And if you’re heading down on Wednesday for both shows, you’ll pay a discounted combined rate of just £35 for both tickets (or £15 for children).
Schools, families, and Universal Credit Recipients can also take advantage of discounted tickets to the shows. There’s a way for everyone to enjoy the experience!
Said David Hockney of the return of his show:
“I am very glad that my show Bigger & Closer is coming back to London. We all need more joy in our lives, and I think my show has a lot of it. Love life.”
Tom Hanks echoed Hockney’s enthusiasm for the two shows to run side-by-side, saying:
“To continue the showings in repertory, with David Hockney means The Moonwalkers’ voyage of discovery will continue, much like the new works from David and the lunar return by the Artemis crew scheduled for next year. There is still much to come, and much to see, at Lightroom.”
What’s next?
Following Hockney and Hanks’ stays at Lightroom, a brand new show will take over the space this autumn. Vogue: Inventing the Runway will premiere on Friday, October 25, 2024. The new show will take viewers to the front row and behind the scenes, of fashion runway shows. Viewers will be transported through locations and eras, with the show utilising Vogue’s extensive archives that date back to its first publication in 1892.
The show will also make use of rare materials from noted fashion houses and contributors – among them some of the biggest names in fashion. These include the likes of Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Christian Dior, Gucci, JW Anderson, Miu Miu, Prada, Versace, and countless others.
After the huge popularity of Hockney and Hanks’ shows, the new experience has some big shoes a big venue to fill!
Tickets are available now for all shows. Find out more about the Lightroom shows here.
📍 Lightroom, 12, Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY. The nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.