From Video Games to Coco Chanel: Our Guide to the Best Exhibitions this Autumn

The marriage between food and art has long been a passion at Rocket and we take pride in our esteemed reputation for designing events that are synergetic with particular exhibitions, many of which include a private view. There is nothing we love more than finding ways to surprise and delight guests as we pay homage to the artist and subject matter with everything from menu design to food stalls, canapé trays, and staff styling. The calibre of the London art world means there is always an exciting array of exhibitions on the horizon, many of which are hosted by our affiliated venues. Read on to discover a few highlights and follow us to see many of these exhibitions come to life through our creative and unparalleled party design.

To plan an event that echoes any upcoming exhibitions (listed here or not!), feel free to reach out to us at parties@rocketfood.com. We’ll be delighted to provide you with a bespoke brochure featuring captivating menu ideas and creative inspirations tailored for your event.

Embark on a transformative rendez vous with the V&A’s Chanel exhibition, an ode to the iconic legacy of French couturière Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel. In a UK first, this exhibition illuminates the genesis of the illustrious House of CHANEL, meticulously tracing its inception and the evolution of Coco Chanel’s emblematic design aesthetic – a radiant continuum that leaves an indelible imprint on the very essence of contemporary women’s attire. A pioneer of her era, her distinctive style serves as an unwavering source of inspiration, forever shaping the manner in which women embrace their attire today. Within the hallowed halls of the V&A, the spirit of Coco’s visionary ingenuity finds its home, where each exhibit reverberates with the harmonious cadence of her enduring influence on the realm of fashion. Read more here.

‘David Hockney: Drawing from Life’, takes centre stage at the National Portrait Gallery from the 2nd of November to the 21st of January. Exploring the artist’s work over the last six decades through intimate portraits of five sitters, the subject matter allows Hockney to explore a range of mediums and styles, from pencil, pen, and crayon, to photographic collage and iPad. The exhibition also includes a selection of over thirty new portraits including Harry Styles and Hockney’s partner, Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima.

Mark your calendars as The Courtauld Gallery prepares to unveil an eagerly anticipated exhibition featuring the masterful creations of British artist Claudette Johnson. Opening its doors on September 29, 2023, this exhibition celebrates the indelible mark left by Claudette Johnson, a trailblazing figure and a founding luminary of the Black British Arts Movement. Her work, a resounding ode to the human form, converges intimacy and potency in a symphony of lines and shades. With a curated selection of her most pivotal works, including the arresting “Untitled (Woman with Earring)” from 1982 that initially etched her name into the annals of art history, the exhibition chronicles Johnson’s artistic evolution over three transformative decades. With profound insights and conversations drawn from the artist herself, this first-of-its-kind monographic showcase in London is a testament to Claudette Johnson’s enduring influence and her captivating narrative of presence, skillfully woven by her deft hand and distinctive vision.

Read more here.

Step into a captivating blend of nostalgia and innovation as the Science Museum introduces the Power Up Exhibition in South Kensington. This interactive gallery boasts 160 gaming consoles spanning five decades, inviting guests to dive into the world of video games. A haven for aficionados of retro classics and impassioned gamers alike, Power Up promises an unforgettable voyage through time and pixels. From the seminal Pong to the enduring allure of Pac-Man, and from the boundless creativity of Minecraft to the iconic exploits of Mario, every corner of gaming history finds its place within this hallowed space. The Power Up exhibition is perfect for unique events, offering a playful backdrop for drinks receptions and multiplayer showdowns.

Read more here.

Visit the Royal Academy this autumn to discover the mesmerizing realm of Marina Abramović, an eminent icon in the art world and a vanguard of performance art. From her groundbreaking creation “Rhythm 0,” where she beckoned unfiltered interaction resulting in the gripping image of a gun pressed to her temple, to the poignant “The House with the Ocean View,” inviting audiences to partake in the simplicity of existence, Abramović’s exploration of endurance and metamorphosis unfolds through an amalgamation of sculpture, video, installation, and re-enactments by a new generation of performers steeped in her methodology. At its heart, this exhibition is a profound interplay of vulnerability and fortitude, as the ebb and flow of live performance art converges with the relentless passage of time, promising each visit to unveil a distinct facet of her entrancing narrative.

Read more here.

Dive into the captivating world of Frans Hals as The Credit Suisse Exhibition unfurls at the National Gallery, celebrating his timeless artistry from September 30, 2023, to January 21, 2024. Even after four centuries, Hals’s portraits exude an enduring vitality, where a subtle smile, a casually placed hand, or the occasional burst of laughter seem to emanate from the canvas. Renowned as one of his era’s most coveted painters, Hals’s unparalleled mastery of brushwork forged a new style of portraiture, unveiling a rarity for his time – subjects at ease, exuding vibrancy, often breaking into smiles or even hearty laughter. As the first comprehensive retrospective of Hals’s work in over three decades, this exhibition opens the doors for a new generation to see why he rightfully stands among the pinnacle of Western art’s greatest luminaries. Featuring around 50 of Hals’s masterpieces, this collection culminates in the unprecedented display of ‘The Laughing Cavalier’ (1624), his most renowned work, on loan for the first time from the Wallace Collection. Spanning from intimate pieces to grand group portraits, genre scenes, and reuniting marriage portraits from diverse global collections, visitors will be immersed in the zenith of Hals’s artistic legacy. This remarkable exhibition, jointly orchestrated by the National Gallery, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, in special partnership with the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, is a celebration of artistry that transcends time.

Read more here.

In partnership with the British Fashion Council and sponsored by Alexander McQueen, this exhibition coinciding with London Fashion Week stands as an all-encompassing exploration of contemporary fashion culture. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the BFC’s NEWGEN program, the exhibition captures the audacious spirit of young designers reshaping the fashion landscape. Presenting nearly 100 innovative looks, including iconic pieces like Björk’s swan dress and Sam Smith’s memorable latex suit, the exhibition interweaves rebellious ensembles with film, drawings, and unprecedented archives from illustrious UK-based designers such as JW Anderson, Erdem, Molly Goddard, and more.

Read more here.

At Rocket, we work with a variety of museums and galleries which provide a spectacular backdrop for dinners, parties, and events and offer the unique opportunity to include private views of these exhibitions. To find out more, please email parties@rocketfood.com or call 020 7622 2320