About this Event
Michael Landy – Future Ruins
Landy, is an artist widely known for his massive installations and conceptual destruction of property. Using pen and watercolour, 'Future Ruins' explores themes of capitalism, consumerism, and the inevitable passage of time. The artworks show grand, iconic historical monuments alongside modern political buildings and personal childhood memory spaces completely reclaimed by decay and overgrown nature. He discusses his work, his inspiration and his method.
Future Ruins is an upcoming temporary contemporary art exhibition hosted at Sir John Soane's Museum in London from October to January.
The Spitalfields Society presents the 2026/27 season of Spitalfields Talks.
A season of eight talks to be held on the second or third Thursday of every month commencing in October 2026 and running to May 2027, organised and funded by the Spitalfields Society. Events will usually be held at Hanbury Hall, Spitalfields. Dates of talks provisionally as follows:
- 22 October - Sandra Esqulant in conversation with Basil Comely
- 12 November - Jamil Khalique, owner of Taj Stores
- 10 December - Michael Landy on Future Ruins, to accompany his exhibition
- 21 January - Simon Smith on the wonderful world of almshouses
- 18 February - Adam Dant on the myths and legends of maps of London
- 18 March - Daisy Fancourt on the 'Art Cure' - how art can make you live longer
- 15 April - TBA
- 20 May - Rupert Wheeler in conversation with Esther Stanhope.
The talks will be held at various locations in Spitalfields, starting at 7.00pm and finishing at 8.30pm allowing for questions and debate. Refreshments will be available, and the hall will be open from 6.30pm until 9.00pm to allow the local community and visitors to the area to socialise before and after the event. The hall accomodates an audience of about a hundred people.
This is the fifth season of talks to be organised by the Society. Past speakers have included such public figures as Dame Siân Phillips, Angela Hartnett, Tom Parker Bowles, Griff Rhys Jones, Dan Cruickshank and Sir Charles Saumarez Smith. Many local residents have spoken about their area of expertise and experience, from artists and writers to polar explorers and globe makers, and many visiting academics and historians have given talks about the cultural, social, and historic heritage of Spitalfields.
Tickets organised through Eventbrite. £15 per talk + Eventbrite charge. A season ticket for £75 for all eight talks will be available on the night at the the 1st talk. Cash café/bar from 6.30 to 9.00pm. All proceeds to go to local “worthy causes.”
Event venue & nearby stays
Hanbury Hall, 22 Hanbury Street, London, United Kingdom
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