This is London Magazine February Edition 2026 - Flipbook - Page 25
RISE AND FALL OF A TEMPLE
Chelsea Space, located at Chelsea
College of Arts, is to present Rise and
Fall of a Temple, a major exhibition by
artist Eva Sajovic that invites audiences
to reconsider the idea of ‘empire’ and its
continued relevance in contemporary
society.
Running 6 February to 17 July, the
exhibition has developed from Sajovic’s
2024-25 fellowship with BSR where she
researched the systems and structures of
the Roman Empire and their lasting
impact.
With a range of vibrant new artworks
including sculpture, knitted tapestries,
tufted wall and floor works, embroidery
and ceramics, Rise and Fall of a Temple
places ancient imperial systems side by
side with contemporary ‘pillars’ of
modern society – from political systems
to increased economic globalisation and
cultural norms. By placing ancient and
contemporary power structures in
dialogue, the audience is asked to
question how empire continues to shape
the world we live in and how the ruins of
empires might be reimagined as tools
for empathy, renewal and collective
dialogue in the 21st century.
The exhibition will be activated
through a series of participatory events
at Chelsea College of Arts, including a
collective act of building and
deconstructing a temple using
Eva Sajovic, 2025.
sustainable materials, inviting visitors to
take part as active collaborators. Central
to this event are the voices of practising
historians and astrologers – roles that
were once held in high regard in past
empires, particularly in Rome, whose
contributions will feed into the building
of the temple and mirror the roles they
historically fulfilled.
Alongside her body of new work,
Sajovic will also present a short film
developed at the British School at Rome
that shares the same name as the
exhibition.
‘The urgency of Rise and Fall of a
Temple lies in the present moment, as
our globalised economy – rooted in
colonialism and extractivism – begins to
unravel. At the same time, the exhibition
engages with key debates in
contemporary art, particularly the
evolving role of the artist and the
responsibilities of artistic institutions at
this time of crisis. As the sound of
cracking pillars grows louder, the
exhibition and its accompanying events
are intended as a space for collective
reflection and critical consideration on
alternative ways of living together. As the
‘rational’ proves irrational,
methodologies such as astrology are
introduced as conceptual tools to
support this process of inquiry and
imagination.’
– Eva Sajovic, Artist and Curator
Photo: Luana Rigolli
25
© National Maritime Museum,
Greenwich, London.
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
Royal Museums Greenwich will this
year celebrate Lunar New Year on
21 February with a vibrant programme of
activities at the National Maritime
Museum.
Lunar New Year, also known as the
Spring Festival, is one of the most
significant celebrations across many
Asian cultures. It is a time for family
reunions, sharing traditional meals,
giving red envelopes, and enjoying
parades and lantern displays. Many
countries also follow the zodiac
calendar, in 2026 it will be the Year of
the Horse and the Museum will have a
horse sculpture on display to bring
visitors good luck.
For over 20 years, the National
Maritime Museum has hosted Lunar
New Year events, offering visitors the
chance to explore Asian objects in the
collection and learn about the historic
connections between Britain and Asia.
For the latest information, visit
www.rmg.co.uk/lunarnewyear
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