We’re Hosting a Panel with ICA, Barbican, Serpentine & House of Dread at AVA Festival
What does it take to create a space that truly enriches a community? As galleries evolve beyond traditional art spaces, London's cultural institutions are redefining what it means to curate - blurring the lines between exhibition, experience and engagement.
Trippin co-founder Sam Blenkinsopp will be diving into these themes alongside Dr. Aleema Gray (House of Dread), Bengi Unsal (ICA), Eva Jäger (Serpentine) and Luke Kemp (Barbican) at Trippin’s panel at AVA London on the 21st March.
“Culture isn’t static - it’s alive, evolving and shaped by the people experiencing it. In an era where digital discovery dominates, the role of physical spaces in connecting communities and shaping cultural narratives is more important than ever.” says Sam, who will host the panel. “At Trippin, we’re all about helping people navigate these shifting landscapes - encouraging them to step away from their screens and into real-world experiences that truly enrich their perspective.”
The panelists represent some of London’s most forward-thinking cultural institutions, each redefining curation as a tool for connection. Luke Kemp has transformed the Barbican’s car park into a club space as part of an ongoing exhibition that explores our relationship with sound.
At the Serpentine, Eva Jäger is pushing the boundaries of art and technology, collaborating with Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst to create AI-driven spatial audio installations that redefine how we experience music and space.
Dr. Aleema Gray, historian, researcher and founder of the anti-disciplinary heritage studio House of Dread, led the curation for Beyond the Bassline—a groundbreaking British Library exhibition exploring 500 years of Black British music history.
Meanwhile, at The ICA, Bengi Unsal is reimagining the gallery not just as an exhibition space, but as a hub for togetherness and discovery.
“London’s cultural landscape is at a turning point,” says Sam. “With nightlife under pressure, public funding being cut and independent venues shutting down, the question isn’t just about what we’re losing - it’s about what we’re building in response. Galleries and cultural spaces have a huge role to play in reimagining how people connect, creating new experiences that bring communities together in ways we haven’t seen before.”
Curation isn’t just about what we see - it’s about how we experience the world around us. Whether it’s going to check out art at the Serpentine before catching a gig at the ICA, or spending an entire day exploring the Barbican, the way cultural spaces are curated shapes how we connect, think and move through the city. In a time when digital overwhelm is real, these spaces offer something essential: real-world, shared experiences that bring people together.
Trippin’s panel, Curating Contemporary Culture, will take place at 3pm, 21st March at The British Library as part of AVA London. For more information and to buy tickets, head here.
