Inside the legendary Serpentine Summer Party 2023
A recap of the Serpentine Summer Party 2023, London's most glamorous art event of the year.
Image: The Serpentine Summer Party 2023. © Harry Richards
The Serpentine Summer Party 2023, held on 27 June 2023 in the picturesque Kensington Gardens, lived up to its reputation as art's most glamorous night of the year. Hosted by Michael R. Bloomberg, Bettina Korek, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, this remarkable gathering brought together influential individuals from various sectors to celebrate the unveiling of architect Lina Ghotmeh's Serpentine Pavilion.
Image: Emma Soames, Bettina Korek, Anna Wintour at The Serpentine Summer Party 2023. © Darren Gerrish for Getty Images
Image: Anthony Gormley at The Serpentine Summer Party 2023. © Darren Gerrish for Getty Images
The event welcomed esteemed guests from the worlds of fashion, music, culture, theatre, and art. Notable attendees included The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Lady Elena and Lord Norman Foster, Anna Wintour, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Anthony Gormley, Yinka Shonibare, Mary McCartney, Issac Julien, Venus Williams, Andrew Garfield, Orlando Bloom, and Nile Rodgers. This convergence of leading figures created an electric atmosphere at the most significant patronage fundraiser of the season.
Image: Hans Ulrich Obrist and Nile Rogers. © Marco Bahler for BFA
The Serpentine Summer Party took guests on an immersive, artist-led journey, offering exclusive previews of À table, the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion designed by architect Lina Ghotmeh, as well as the renowned summer exhibition, Web(s) of Life by Tomás Saraceno. Adding an interactive and innovative element to the evening, Gabriel Massan commemorated the occasion by minting a memento on Tezos exclusively for the guests of The Summer Party, celebrating their groundbreaking video game and world-building project, Third World: The Bottom Dimension.
Image: Emilia Wickstead, Minnie Driver and Alexa Chung at The Serpentine Summer Party 2023. © Darren Gerrish for Getty Images
Image: Yinka Shonibare at The Serpentine Summer Party 2023. © Darren Gerrish for Getty Images
Ruinart, the esteemed champagne house with a rich legacy in contemporary art patronage, enhanced the evening's allure with the exquisite R de Ruinart champagne. Alongside the champagne, guests enjoyed a screening of Tomás Saraceno's Aerocene, a commissioned film highlighting shared concerns about climate change and the climate emergency. This artistic collaboration between Ruinart and Saraceno underscored their commitment to raising awareness of environmental issues through the power of art.
Image: Gabriel Massan and Andrew Garfield. Serpentine Summer Party 2023. © Marco Bahler for BFA
Image: Vanessa Kingori, Emma Weymouth and Venus Williams at The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party 2023. © Marco Bahler for BFA
The Aga Khan Master Musicians, in partnership with the Aga Khan Music Programme and on Ghotmeh's invitation, opened the festivities with a captivating live performance showcasing the rising generation of cosmopolitan Arab musicians. The evening also featured performances by DJ Benji B and Major League DJz, adding to the lively ambiance alongside Casamigos cocktails.
Image: Lina Ghotmeh at The Serpentine Summer Party 2023. © Darren Gerrish for Getty Images
Guests were received by limited-edition Ladurée macarons designed by Ghotmeh, showcasing her French heritage and collaboration with the renowned confectionery brand. Additionally, renowned chef Skye Gyngell presented a dessert table featuring Middle Eastern flavours infused with British seasonal produce.
Image: The Serpentine Summer Party 2023. © Harry Richards
Image: Bettina Korek, CEO of Serpentine Galleries, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of Serpentine Galleries. © Harry Richards
Amidst the glitz and glamour, Serpentine CEO Bettina Korek emphasised the event's significance, highlighting its ability to bring the Serpentine community closer together by fostering connections between supporters and artists.
Click here to discover more about the Serpentine Galleries' 2023 summer exhibitions.
