The current display at the Serpentine Gallery is Michaelangelo Pistoletto's exhibition. From the handbook "the artist has devised a site-specific labyrinthine installation that guides visitors through the Gallery's interior spaces to discover a series of sculptural works concealed within Pistoletto's maze-like structure alters how viewers comprehend the building's original architecture and renders them a fundamental component of the work itself." I can't quite say that I "got" it. Several four-foot wide rolls of what looks like cardboard packing materials unrolled and stood on end to make a maze, with a few interesting sculptures including a standing Buddha that is staring into a mirror. Huh? read more

Serpentine Galleries - I don't get it. - Art Galleries Near Me - London, XGL

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Modern art. I don't quite get it. You are not supposed to be laughing out loud when you see art, right? But don't listen to me, I'm just a simpleton. Really quite small, but it's free and worth a visit to broaden your art senses. Also a good spot for free and clean bathrooms. When you gotta Van Gogh, you gotta Van Gogh. No one wants to be consti-painted. read more

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The Serpentine Galleries are two free small art galleries on opposite sides of the Serpentine in Hyde Park. They're more contemporary art, often with progressive themes. I didn't find anything particularly interesting or worth visiting for. But it's a rotating exhibition, so maybe they'll have something more exciting at a later date. read more

I was not blown away by anything on display at either of the galleries. The main exhibit was a giant oil barrel arrangement in the Serpentine. Inside of the gallery, sketches and planning for it were on display. In the other gallery, some decent paintings were on display, but they seemed to be slight variations of the same thing. Also, there was a lot of empty space. Nothing really to draw you in, but if you're trying to kill 20 minutes stop by. read more

There are now two Serpentine Galleries in Hyde Park. The building that houses the Serpentine Sackler Gallery stood empty for as long as I can remember and was put to excellent use when it was opened as an exhibition space a year ago. The former gunpowder store is a listed building and has been beautifully restored and is worth a visit in its own right. Zaha Hadid's extension is another architectural highlight. The latter has been turned into a rather swish sushi restaurant. Diners at the restaurant probably have private drivers to drop them off, for everyone else the best way to reach the gallery is by foot or by bicycle - they have the most beautiful bike racks hidden around the back of the building! read more

Located in the midst of Hyde Park, the Serpentine Gallery is always a great destination to venture to. With some great shows boasting artists such as Matthew Barney, Gerhard Richter, Richard Prince, and Runa Islam, the Serpentine is definitely a top destination on any art follower's itinerary. Every summer the Serpentine also comissions artists and architects to create a state-of-the-art temporary pavillion. These are always worth a look since the often create some rather curvacious, effortless, sexy buildings that will keep you interested at all time. Previous comissioned artists have included hotshots such as Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, Olafur Elissson, and Rem Koolhaas. read more

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Having a walk in Kensington Gardens can get quite cold in winter. What better then to warm up in a book shop of a contemporary and modern art gallery. The Serpentine Gallery is closed to the public in the period between exhibitions, however their well-assorted bookshop remains open at all times. Perfect to spend your afternoon on a Sunday. The space is overloaded by interesting books and magazines. Particular photography, architecture and art are their main focus. But also to be found are books from great writers and cultural figures. The magazine selection has all the insider art editions and I never leave the place without a collection of post cards, which I aim to write as soon as I get to a coffee shop. I like the smell of fresh printed books and the look of beautiful binded and designed books. This place is for someone who likes to display nice books in his living room for guests to get inspired. read more

The Serpentine Gallery is a favorite place to stop and warm up from the cold while meandering through Kensington Gardens. One of the reasons for this is the bookshop. From a confirmed bibliophile who likes to browse the many bookshops that London has to offer, this one in the park is a gem. Not just because of its location, that makes it such a chilled out visit, but the artsy visual contents that fill up the shelves. The only reason it could possibly miss out on five stars is that they seem to disregard the great combination of coffee and art books. Why can't they put in a small barista? Please?! Ah yes, we would never leave. read more

Serpentine Galleries - Art Galleries Near Me - London, XGL

This was a lovely little bookshop. And not so little once you walk in and find another room and another. Even if the gallery itself was closed due to resetting for a new exhibition, a walk to this bookshop in the Kensingon Garden is worth it! All kinds of postcards with arty and funny images, all kinds for books for all ages. We found some great creative and actually spectacular books for kids, with cut outs and whole full dimensional landscapes that unfold when opening the books. DVDs about foreign artists, small books with poems, erotic photo albums (oh, yes, but classy erotica) and ... well, I could stay there for quite some time. And you know what? The books weren't that expensive either. Take a strawl through Kensington Garden, say hello to the birds and stop by the Serpentine Gallery Bookshop. And if you're a tourist - prepare to pay for some extra luggage on the way back, because you'll bring some heavy books! read more

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The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion series is a one of a kind architectural programme, taking place in the Royal Park of Kensington Gardens. For nine years now, the gallery comissions one illustrious architect to design a pavilion for its lawn. These pavilions stand for some sort of a passageway from the park to the gallery building. This year's architectural wonder is designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, and is going to embody the 'landmark for the city this summer'. This building project is even more tempting to be viewed as it is displayed only between 20 July - 19 October 2008. My visit to this place was not a planned one, therefore I didn't have any kind of expectations towards what I am going to see and how I should regard it. I must say I was very much impressed by it. Not only by the structure, which seemed very daring, yet simple and pure (fixed by four massive steel columns, it uses two elements -timber planks and overlapping glass planes), but also by the fact that after sunset it houses a series of events (talks, performances, panel discussions, film screenings). During the day the pavilion is a fully accessible public space, but for most of the events tickets need to be purchased (http://www.ticketweb.co.uk) . The 'seemingly random elements' of the structure brought to life two images in my head: children and building blocks. I interpret it as a reference to its simplicity, yet marvellously creative. I couldn't enter the interior (part-amphitheatre, part-promenade), because a screening was in preparation, but from what I've seen, I imagined the feeling from the inside and it felt light, airy, utterly relaxing. A delightful surprise for one's eyes on a bright summer evening. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANuimkRfGiw&feature=related read more

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The Serpentine is in a great location and is very approachable, allowing those who would normally not visit a gallery the opportunity to do so. The drawback is that you're surrounded by people who don't usually go to galleries. C'est la vie. The space is large and flowing with lots of natural light. There was a lovely Yoko Ono retrospective exhibition on when I visited and, though a retrospective, was well laid out and felt as though it was designed for the space. Very well done. read more

Lovely, just lovely ~ The current installation by SelgasCano is perfectly whimsical for its outdoors space. Beautiful. and free! / donation based. read more

Lygia Pape at the Serpentine Gallery An interesting exhibition at Hyde parks premier Art Gallery, well it's only one then. Entirely worth a trip for 'magnetised room', which is stunning and beautiful. read more

If wandering in Kensington Gardens I would recommend stopping by Serpentine Galleries to see the Serpentine Pavilion - a giant colourful snake! Pretty for a wander round in the sun. read more

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I came here after a lovely long walk in the park to see the Gerhard Richter '4900 Colours' exhibition. It was such a well chosen space for this project - 196 square panels of scrambled colours could be sensory overload but there are a number of small rooms you walk through in this gallery so it wasn't overwhelming at all. The best things about the gallery are a) it's free, although you can give a donation and b) the bookshop. Actually I'd come here for the bookshop alone, it's like a tardis in there, 100s and 100s of artbooks and prints at very reasonable prices. read more

Haven't been in awhile but always enjoyed it when there. Last great thing I remember was the Gilbert and George exhibition. The bookshop is worthwhile in its own right. Incorporate a stop here with a sunny day stroll through the park and you're in business. I'm really really really looking forward to seeing Frank Gehry's pavilion this summer!!! read more

I recently spent a Friday evening at this lovely oasis of calm and felt quite regretful that I hadn't made the effort to visit before. Still, ten years in to living in London is perhaps the right time to start doing the rounds of all the places I haven't been to yet! TFL's website told me the best way to get there was to take the tube and then wait for a bus but I didn't much like the sound of that, and it turned out that walking up from South Kensington tube didn't take very long anyway. It was a pleasant wander on a summer evening, with the surroundings becoming more lovely the further in to the park I went. I was due to attend one of the gallery's Park Nights film screenings and turned up early for some nice Italian tidbits courtesy of nifeislife (http://www.nifeislife.com) before heading in to the pavilion to watch La Grande Bouffe. Unfortunately about an hour in the DVD went kaput so my friend and I headed indoors to check out the amazing Jeff Koons exhibition instead. I found it to be a very nicely laid out gallery space and a pleasantly confusing exhibition - aluminium casts of beach toys painted to look exactly like the real thing. I have never wanted to reach out and touch anything as much as I wanted to touch those pieces but that sort of thing is somewhat frowned upon in artistic spaces like this. read more

I once bet Toucs 50 quid that he wouldn't swim across the serpentine after around 10 pints. When it came down to it, the accumulated duck shit of many years proved to be too much, and indeed, he did not. Years later, the subject happened to come up in the beer garden of The White Cross in Richmond. I believe I still owe him that 50 quid. read more

Swimming in the Serpentine is great fun. I went last June, and even though I am usually a wimp with the cold, there was something about it that meant I felt OK to swim to the end and back - the water was brisk rather than icy, and perfect for a swim! I was very impressed and if it's a nice day I thoroughly recommend it. I think it was about £4 for access, but this includes use of the changing room and lockers, so fairly good value really! read more

Bored of sitting in the park, attempting to row a boat or upsetting the ducks? Then a short hop to this Gallery is a welcome bit of culture to add to your day. Seen a few things in here and they have really ranged from bizarre to incomprehensible but i've always left feeling like it was worthwhile to make the visit. It's small - so it won't take long to look around and then you can go back to lounging on the grass with a smug sense of being cultured without over-exerting yourself read more

Like the Serpentine Gallery and in the past have seen some wonderful exhibitions from the likes of Gilbert and George etc. Sadly the same cannot be said of the current exhibition of Nairy Baghramian and Phyllida Barlow. This exhibition is truly awful. It took ten minutes to walk round a couple rooms filled with rubber coat stands and concrete blocks. Truly awful. This is the kind of "art" only Edina and Patsy would buy into. read more

The Serpentine is location in the center of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and is a lovely gallery with changing exhibitions, its free so its worth a visit especially because the park and ponds are beautiful! read more

Set at the edge of the Kensington Gardens, I recommend walking through the gardens first before making the Serpentine your final stop before re-entering urban madness. Every time I've been there, there's always been an exhibition on that really made me get excited about art. The location and beautifully ornate design of the building always creates an interesting contrast with the contemporary art contained within. Also, the bookshop contains a sizeable collection of artists' books of everyone who's anyone great coffee table books and gifts. Actually, usually I'd find myself spending just as long in the bookshop as in the exhibition space. read more

Take a couple of minutes out of your Londonday rush and simply enjoy the best part of London.. The parks. One of my favourites is the Serpentine walk. Could be because when I first visited London it was the road "home" to the hotel (where I would be able to tend to my blistered feet) but what ever the reason I'm still in love with it. Traffic is muted, your pulse will move down a couple of lifesaving beats per minute and you can just enjoy walking without having to push your way through the great unwashed masses. aaaaah the bliss! read more

Serpentine Galleries - Serpentine walk, a nice way to spend an hour or two in London. - Art Galleries Near Me - London, XGL

When I worked in London after University, one of my fondest memories of the city was walking over to the Serpentine Gallery on my afternoons off and musing on the art. You may not like all of the art that they have on display, but the presentation is always very well thought out. The bookstore is also very well stocked. I visited again last year, and it was a welcome breather to the sensory onslaught that is the Tate Modern. read more

The Serpentine Gallery is located inside of Kensington Gardens which just happens to be attached to Hyde Park. It is a lovely place to stop in from the cold while walking around the parks. The Serpentine specialises in modern and contemporary art and during her lifetime was patronised by Princess Diana, there is now a permeant memorial in her honour at the gallery's entrance. There is a lovely little bookshop inside of the gallery, even though the gallery is free to enter and is supported by the arts council, it is the donations and sales from the bookshop that keep this unique gallery open. The exhibitions at the gallery are very avant-garde, and I am always presently surprised after a visit to the gallery, but I always have to read the explanation on the wall to truly appreciate the concepts of the exhibitions. This gallery only exhibits very forward thinking and challenging work and is the very example of what a modern art galleries strive to be. read more

Serpentine Galleries - Art Galleries Near Me - London, XGL

Mostly with Serpentine Gallery I like it's location. It is no nice to combine the visit with a nice walk in the Hyde Park. Fresh air and quality art. Last time I visited the gallery, outside was a lovely spring day with bright sun shine and inside we found this most bizarre light installation in pitch dark room and was it was like entering a space ship. Showing contemporary and modern art, Serpentine is one of the best galleries in London. You can often spot exhibitions of well known high profile artist, with admission free! read more

As with most art galleries it is often very hit or miss, the Serpentine is no exception, although I've seen some truly inspiring shows here. The Matthew Barney exhibition was amazing, his huge installations perfectly suited to the gallery space of the Serpentine. Its location in Kensington gardens means you can wander in the park afterwards. Showing work by a huge number of well known artists such as Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Andy Warhol and Henry Moore, it's definitely worth keeping watch on the upcoming exhibitions. The bookshop is reason in itself to pay the Serpentine a visit, with a good, varied selection and the room at the back is usually filled with various books on sale for those of us who can't afford to pay the usual high price for art books. read more

The Serpentine is one of these almost immaculate London institutions, the type of place that allows you to forget, if fleetingly, the fact that you are set in the midst of a megatropolis poised at the edge of a kind of cultural collapse. All is placid in the Serpentine Gallery, a poetic, vibrant space of aesthetics and ideas. It's certainly conservative in outlook but hardly retrograde. One can never have enough good, solid art, and especially so at the Serpentine which boasts one of the loveliest locales around. read more

Often boring, but sometimes intriguing exhibitions of contemporary art. As usual with modern artists it is a hit and miss affair, but as I am often in the area anyway I go quite regularly to see what's on. The interactive shows are best - recently there was an art exhibition where you could walk through and inside sort of tunnels of light. Last year there was a particularly bemusing giant model of sliced up whale blubber. Sometimes it just gets silly. The bookshop is full of poncy books, many highly educational, and it sells very good postcards. It is free and has ill-ventilated toilets. Each summer a different summer-house is erected outside the gallery, usually pointless but the tourists inside it always look charmed so there must be something to it. For those who appreciate art, and a good hang-out haunt for the terminably bored philistine like myself. read more

The Serpentine gets some great exhibitions of contemporary / modern art packed into a fairly small space..... and admission is FREE.... wooo!! read more

The Serpentine is a very small gallery in the middle of Kensington Gardens. So getting there is quite nice because you can stroll there from different parts of town. You could walk through the park down from Lancaster Gate or from High Street Kensington. The gallery is in a building that looks rather like a hut and gets quite busy on weekends. Checkout their website http://www.serpentinegallery.org for information on what's on. It's a perfect place to head to if you are interested in art or to just stroll around if you happen to be in the park. I went to see a great exhibition recently by Anthony McCall which is on until early February, I'd definitely recommend it, it's quite different to your usual art exhibition!! read more

The Serpentine in Hyde Park is an oasis in the middle of London. Stretching through the park quite a long way, you can walk alongside it, watching people messing around in boats. The best thing for me is the swimming area. You pay your money, go and change and then go up and over a bridge before coming back down to the water. It's pretty cold even in summer (or it was for me) but once you're in you soon get used to it and you can swim along looking at the rooftops of central London from the middle of Hyde Park -I think that's fantastic. The changing room is really small and there is only a cold shower outside, but it's worth it for the experience, I really recommend it. read more

I heart the Serpentine Gallery. If you're stopping in to Hyde Park for any reason - you MUST have a look at what's on at the gallery. Wonderfully curated, the exhibitions somehow take you out of the center of the green park into a strange portal into the centre of the cultural heart of the globe - or universe even. It's only a quick walk around too - if you're one to only take in modern art in smaller doses. :) read more

A nice gallery which happens to be the perfect place for everyone who enjoys art in any of its forms. There's always an interesting exhibition and I try to visit at least once a month. It's always worth it and a nice change of the usual coffee shop or mall scenery. read more

The real attraction at Serpentine is the Pavilion outside the gallery. It's a temporary architectural piece redesigned and rebuilt annually, and worthy of a trip to the Kensington Gardens all by itself. Having said that, the actual gallery features some great art as well, and should not go unnoticed. Last year (2013), the Pavilion was a structure designed by Sou Fujimoto, and perhaps one of the more unusual and stunning pieces I've seen in a while. read more

Located inside Hyde Park and close to the Royal Albert Hall, The Serpentine can be a mixed bag of artistic snobbery (which can be, of course, great fun if you don't take it too seriously). It's relatively small compared with some of the other galleries around the W1/2 postcodes but once in a while you can find really good exhibitions here. For example, last year the gallery became the first museum to exhibit Damian Hirst's personal art collection, which included a masturbating car and a video of the underground placed in a Whales mouth. There is also a really good art bookshop inside, which must be great for the students across the road at the Royal Academy of Arts. However, often the avant-garde nature of the place can lead to some atrocious exhibitions, a noted example from last year was the work of an artist who simply scribbled on canvases and canvassed it as 'conceptual art'. I overheard a young woman with too much time on her hands telling her young daughter that the scribbles had "a significant, almost religious message to them". I left immediately. read more

Fantastic exhibitions! =D

The Serpentine Gallery is in the centre of Hyde Park. The nearest stations are Lancaster Gate, Bayswater and High Street Kensington. If you are wandering through Hyde Park and enjoy contemporary art, then perhaps it's worthwhile visiting this medium sized white building. The Serpentine Gallery typically has one exhibition on at a time, which are available for roughly two months. You can either find out about the exhibitions online or just walk in. I recall the last time I visited and saw Rachel Whiteread's 'House' exhibition, which was very popular. However, because of the size, free admission and busy hours, the gallery got packed. Therefore, if you are pottering around with a child's buggy or a lot of kids, consider it carefully as there's not a lot of space to roam around. Plus, it gets quite stuffy. Overall, unless you are absolutely in love with contemporary art or determined to see a specific artist's work, I wouldn't recommend going through the trouble. If you want contemporary art, then go to the Tate Modern and/or National Portrait Gallery. read more