Zaha Hadid’s former architecture studio in Clerkenwell has reopened, featuring an exhibition titled “Zaha Hadid: Architecture of Performance,” which focuses on her stage-set designs for the Pet Shop Boys. This exhibition highlights her lesser-known theatrical projects from the past 25 years, beginning with lines taped onto a ballroom floor, which served as both decorative elements and functional pathways for dancers, reflecting Hadid’s exploration of movement through architectural spaces.
A key highlight of the exhibition includes the Pet Shop Boys’ Nightlife tour (1999-2000), where Hadid designed a modular stage featuring ramps and projection surfaces that were both adaptable for various venues and aesthetic in appearance. This connection between her stage designs and architectural projects is emphasized through projections of her architectural works, notably the MAXXI museum in Rome.
Other notable parts of the exhibition include contemporary ballet pieces like Metapolis and a staging of Mozart’s Così fan tutte by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2014. An edited concert film from the Nightlife tour plays alongside the design materials, offering insights into the interaction of architecture with performance and music.
The exhibition is at the Zaha Hadid Foundation until March 27, 2027, and is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is free, but the location can be tricky to find as it is inside a former school amidst tall buildings.
For more details, visit the Zaha Hadid Foundation.
