The Dorchester, part of Dorchester Collection, and Serpentine have partnered to launch a new cultural collaboration for 2026, bringing together two London institutions to create a new platform for artistic exchange in the heart of the city. Through a series of talks, conversations and moments led by artists, curators and architects hosted for patrons at The Dorchester, as well as guided tours of the Gallery for hotel guests, the collaboration will explore modern creativity in the capital city.
The programme will run throughout spring and summer, coinciding with Serpentine’s exhibitions and the highly anticipated annual Serpentine Pavilion. It is the first collaboration of this nature for The Dorchester, a London landmark shaped by cultural icons and fresh from a bold renovation led by Pierre-Yves Rochon and Martin Brudnizki.
Luca Virgilio, General Manager of The Dorchester, said: “This partnership brings together two legendary houses that have shaped London’s cultural spirit for generations. We’re proud to support a programme that invites conversations, ideas and creativity into the hotel, and offers new ways to experience the extraordinary work taking place at Serpentine.”
The programme launched with an exclusive conversation led by Serpentine’s artistic director Hans Ulrich Obrist. The talk included an early look at Serpentine’s summer programme and reflected on the role of artists in shaping how audiences think, feel and engage with contemporary culture. The session continued with Mexico City-based architecture studio, LANZA atelier, who have been studio commissioned for the 2026 Serpentine Pavilion. Since its inception in 2000, the Serpentine Pavilion has grown into a landmark annual commission, giving a platform to emerging architectural talent and serving as a vital stage for Serpentine’s programmes throughout summer and into the autumn, including during Frieze London.
DAVID HOCKEY: A YEAR IN NORMANDIE AND SOME OTHER THOUGHTS ABOUT PAINTING
One of the most influential artists of our time, David Hockney invites viewers to slow down and notice the extraordinary within the everyday in his first exhibition at Serpentine. Created specifically for this presentation, Hockney’s new paintings extend his lifelong fascination with the act of looking. The exhibition is conceived in close collaboration with the artist and brings Hockney’s celebrated ninety-metre-long frieze A Year in Normandie to London for the first time. For guests staying at The Dorchester, intimate guided viewings of the exhibition are available until 23 August, with proceeds supporting Serpentine.
