DAYDREAM NETWORK X ROYAL ALBERT HALL - LOAD

This summer, the Royal Albert Hall opens its doors for its edgiest and most unique exhibition yet – LOAD. For the first time ever, artists commissioned by the Royal Albert Hall in partnership with creative pioneers Daydream Network, will turn the walls of the historic venue’s Loading Bay into a gallery of graffiti and street artwork. On Monday 22 June, and for one day only, the Royal Albert Hall’s Loading Bay, located three floors underground, will be open free to the public to view this remarkable display.

Depicting the life story of the Royal Albert Hall’s 138 year history, LOAD will take a graphical journey through some of the most memorable moments in the Hall’s existence starting with its opening in 1871 through to one of the first showcases of electric lighting, the suffragettes movement, Winston Churchill’s TV broadcast with Lord Montgomery and Mohammed Ali’s knock out rounds. In addition to this, LOAD will display 10ft high murals, across a 1,125 square meter space, of the most iconic musicians to have graced the Hall’s legendary stage including stunning images of Jimi Hendrix, Pavarotti, Eric Clapton, The Killers and Frank Sinatra. A third space in the Loading Bay will be dedicated to the art forms’ urban roots with graffiti interpretation in keeping with the timeless and classic theme of the exhibition.

"Load is one of the most ground-breaking projects we've had at the Hall. We're privileged to be working with some truly innovative young street artists to transform one of the largest and yet most unseen spaces in this iconic building. This will be a visually dynamic piece of art and will be a contemporary tribute to parts of our amazing history." Lucy Noble, Head of Programming.

A team of up and coming artists from the UK are given the opportunity to showcase the diversity of styles that exist within street art as they transform the blank canvas of the Loading Bay walls. Using stencil style, photorealistic and freehand techniques, LOAD will be bold and distinctive, working with colour schemes and typography to bring the exhibition to life. This will be the first time in the Hall’s history that the Loading Bay will be used for anything other than behind the scenes and production requirements and will offer a chance for the public to experience the underground workings of this renowned building.

"The Daydream Network is proud to be involved by taking the graffiti and street art movement and mixing it with the British love affair of music, arts and entertainment. We look forward to making our mark at this world famous cultural landmark" Daydream Network.

This initiative is another step in affirming the Royal Albert Hall’s status as both an inclusive and accessible venue and one with the versatility to transcend the cultural generations. LOAD is an imaginative and vivid manifestation of the charity’s support for new emerging artists: it will take its place alongside the many other groundbreaking events to have graced this historic Hall, and remain in place to be admired for future generations of artists and performers.

A private viewing will take place on Monday 15 June with the public invited to see the exhibition for free on Monday 22 June.

Jimi Hendrix artwork by Ben Slow / The Wonderland Collective.

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