• A new exhibition taking people on a journey exploring one of the world’s greatest cities – Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople – opens at the V&A in South Kensington on Saturday. Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires spans 1,600 years of artistic production (from 330 AD to 1922) during the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and how its legacy resonated across the Christian and Islamic worlds. The display explores some of the city’s world-renowned landmarks, from the Hippodrome to the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Galata Tower, and includes more than 200 objects ranging from fine silks and textiles to ceramic tiles, mosaics and tableware, precious metalwork and jewellery as well as sculpture, architectural furnishings, manuscripts and paintings. Highlights include a fragment of the Serpent Column which was originally erected at Delphi and is believed to have brought to the city by Constantine I where it was used as a symbol of imperial power, miniature mosaics from the Great Palace of the Byzantine emperors, the Trier Adventus Ivory which offers a glimpse into the city’s religious and imperial ceremonies, a unique 11th century miniature triptych, a masterpiece of Byzantine ivory carving known as the Veroli Casket, a famous 1479 portrait of Sultan Mehmed II, a jewelled ivory belt from the tomb of Sultan Selim II who died in 1574, examples of high-status Ottoman silk dress from the 18th and 19th centuries, ceramic-glazed tiles form the Zeyrek Çinili Hamam bathhouse and one of the earliest surviving long-necked tanbur lutes from about 1750. The exhibition runs until 9th May. Admission charge applies. For more, see www.vam.ac.uk.
• A major exhibition celebrating contemporary Black designers opens at the Design Museum tomorrow. The Nue Black Aesthetic showcases the work of some of the most innovative contemporary Black designers and features more than 100 objects spanning fashion, furniture, architecture, product design and sculpture. Runs until 8th August next year. Admission charges apply. For more, see https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/the-nue-black-aesthetic
• Luxmuralis returns to the Painted Chapel in Greenwich – celebrating its 300th anniversary this year – for the next two weekends with Lost Worlds, a spectacular new light and sound installation. Created by sculptor and artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper, Lost Worlds draws inspiration from the civilisations, myths and natural wonders of the ancient world. The installation unfolds through a series of environments – from prehistoric cave art to the worlds of knights, castles, dinosaurs and illuminated manuscripts – and invites visitors to become part of the artwork itself as they are surrounded by light, movement and sound. Admission charge applies. For bookings, head to https://ornc.org/news/luxmuralis-returns-to-the-old-royal-naval-college-with-lost-worlds/.
• Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated at The National Maritime Museum this weekend in All Together Now, a free festival curated by Mehala Ford, founder of COMMONGROUND& and Friday Sari Project. The festival showcases South Asian artists, performers, storytellers, makers and community organisations from across the UK through a vibrant programme of live performances, workshops, talks and family activities. New this year is the Diwali Bazaar, with visitors able to browse stalls featuring jewellery, clothing, prints, accessories, gifts and handmade products from South Asian creatives and local Greenwich-based businesses. The museum, meanwhile, will be transformed with special artistic installations and decorations, including sustainable textile works by Button Masala and decorations created using recycled saris. To be held on Saturday. For more, see https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/diwali.
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