Middle Eight transforms a culture centre

We are curating a hotel-wide exhibition of artwork, presenting an evening of performance in QT, and offering guided expeditions around the top London art spaces all within walking distance of our front door.

Kicking off our project is the installation of our first feature, a ‘biophilia’ display in the Lobby by Frankie Boyle. Specialising in immersive design with a focus on light and colour theory, Frankie creates transformative installations that evoke deep emotional connections.

Be sure to join us on Friday, 4th October and Saturday, 5th October at our launch events, details to be announced soon!

How we were inspired

At Middle Eight, we are motivated to find new ways of celebrating and expanding on our heritage in music and theatre. We are at the core of London scene, with resources, access and inspiration to share with guests. We envision Middle Eight as a discerning curator, a passionate educator, a source of inspiration, and a go-to destination for celebrating creative expression at the epicentre of the London culture scene. Middle Eight aligns with the most revered artists, musicians, choreographers and composers from the local area, throughout London and at a globally-recognised level, and the site becomes a literal gateway to accessing these resources. Overall, the approach to creative practice at Middle Eight is timeless, dynamic, aspirational, engaging, innovative and thoughtfully experimental.

What to expect from our programme

Our inaugural programme is focused on reflecting the core components of our ethos through transforming the hotel into a multidisciplinary art and culture centre. Visitors enjoy a comprehensive experience of multidisciplinary examples of fine art through exhibitions, performances, screenings that are accompanied by guided tours, panel discussions and other frameworks designed to educate and encourage, both on site and throughout London.

Join us for Urban Oasis, as we focus on ecologies, symbiosis and sustainability

Opening officially on the 4th October, visitors will explore a hotel-wide exhibition of artworks which have been generously loaned by a selection of the leading galleries throughout London.  Inspired by the hotel’s core identity, Founder of Artscope, Kate Fensterstock, developed the curatorial concept that drives the entire project and unites each component of the multidisciplinary practice that pulses throughout Middle Eight: Urban Oasis.

“Middle Eight uniquely blends the dynamism of modern innovation with the richness of the natural world. For the first iteration of our contemporary art programme, I wanted to bring together artists and artworks whose materials and visual cues are inspired by, work in harmony with, and even expand on notions of the natural and the man-made across the building’s  landscape,” explains Kate.

“The works are ‘in conversation’ with the textures and design of the building, but also infuse the space as though we are planting a garden and bringing in new life. This will be especially strong in areas including The Balcony and The Lobby, where we are thrilled to host Frankie Boyle” she adds. This work is from the Biophillia series, a type of dynamic art installation which is capable of changing its shape and form to adapt to the environment where it hangs. Frankie has brought Biophillia in to engage with the iconic driftwood wall work that hangs at the entrance to the hotel.

There is more to this theme of ecology and symbiosis in Urban Oasis.  “We also have invited artists who engage conceptually  with the mutual goals, frameworks and messaging surrounding sustainability and ecological responsibility, reflecting on experience, revealing truths and finding hope and possibility through the act of creating. There are examples of art practice which look closely at the relationship that we have with our own human condition, our identities, and how our physical environments impact this. Something that can be traced in The Bar installation, and via our performance presentation, which we invite everyone to attend on Friday, 4th October. Be sure to enquire with the hotel as to booking and how to RSVP!”

More details on Urban Oasis will be announced in due course, please get in touch directly about all of our upcoming launch events and for all other queries, please contact the hotel, or Kate Fensterstock at kate@artscopeintl.com.