On Saturday 23 July, 6pm – 11pm, Whitechapel Gallery presents Nocturnal Creatures 2022, connecting with local communities and transforming East London through immersive film, music, performance, art, DJ sets, and a bouncy castle. This free late-night annual festival is open to all and takes place in venues within walking distance of the Gallery.

8 new works will be premiered from artists Emma Talbot, Jennie Moran, Janette Parris, and Jasleen Kaur, musician, writer and broadcaster Nabihah Iqbal, filmmakers Baff Akoto and Patrick Goddard, and theatre company Cardboard Citizens. DJ sets come from artist AGOSTINO and musical movement and curatorial platform Touching Bass. 9 venues will host the new works, including Whitechapel Gallery, The Hickman, Bishopsgate Institute, St Boniface, Toynbee Hall, Aldgate Square, Artsadmin, House of Annetta and Raven Row.

Nocturnal Creatures 2022 is made possible through the generous support of Aldgate Connect, GPE, Tower Hamlets Council, Bishopsgate Institute, Raven Row, and St Boniface.

The full Nocturnal Creatures 2022 line-up:

The journey begins at Whitechapel Gallery with Emma Talbot’s modern multi-media epic, The Age/L’Eta, brought to life through interpretive performances from dancer Iris Chan, and readings of Truth or Dare written by activist and ecofeminist author, Starhawk. Meanwhile the Gallery’s foyer rings out into the streets with DJ sets from AGOSTINO and duo Touching Bass. Hungry visitors will be able to enjoy a sunset meal at Townsend’s one-night-only supper club, with a specially prepared menu set in the Gallery’s creative studio against spectacular views of East London’s rooftops. Festival goers will follow the sound of song to Aldgate Square, a space to be audibly immersed in a celebration of local community through the collective voices of SHE Choir, Stop Shopping Choir, and The London Lucumi Choir.

On the Gallery’s doorstep, The Hickman morphs from office space to the home of performance, music, film and DJ sets from Nabihah Iqbal and friends, as she pays homage to Whitechapel’s heritage as home to one of London’s oldest South Asian communities. The striking interior architectures of Whitechapel’s St Boniface stage moving image and live readings from Baff Akoto, joined by composer ESKA to explore the power of the collective in the face of an immeasurably dysfunctional world.

A bouncy castle, a mini grime rave, audio works and film are the mediums through which satirical artist Patrick Goddard explores class politics and the changing face of East London at Bishopsgate Institute. Nearby, a wander of the local streets and visitors might chance upon the the pop-up acoustic performances of Janette Parris, as she sings humorous and melancholic songs responding to the gentrification of East London.

Raven Row is a spot for reflection and intimate conversation with Jasleen Kaur, in an exploration of their recent film projects emphasising and re-framing the voices of migrant communities. While the former home of artist, architect, and cybernetician Annetta Pedretti opens its doors, The House of Annetta presents a sensational array of music, performance, craft and high drama.

An eclectic mix of short performances responding to themes of home and gentrification from theatre company Cardboard Citizens take over Toynbee Hall. Just outside, Artsadmin and Mallon Gardens are lit up with Jennie Moran’s creation of a temporary illuminated space, where participants are invited into a shared experience, dancing, drinking, and meditation in an exploration of hospitality and reciprocity.

Whitechapel Gallery’s programme for Nocturnal Creatures is accompanied by additional projects presented in association with Sculpture in the City. Sculpture in the City’s 11th edition will come alive with performances, dance, spoken word and music from Pedro Pires, Emma Louise Moore, Bram Ellens, Jocelyn McGregor, Elisa Artesero, Emma Smith, and Jun T. Lai. There will also be a number of tours around the 11th edition of Sculpture in the City, including an Art and Architecture tour led by David Rosenberg and Anne-Marie Craven.

Nocturnal Creatures is an annual opportunity to access contemporary art in some of East London’s most unique and historic spaces, providing emerging artists with an open platform to exhibit publicly to new audiences.