Serendipity Arts will present two major public projects in London in June 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s international expansion. Developed in partnership with the Science Museum and as part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival, the programme will include an immersive performance inside the museum and a large-scale puppet procession on Exhibition Road. The initiatives coincide with the 175th anniversary of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and reflect Serendipity Arts’ ongoing focus on cross-cultural exchange and public engagement.
International Expansion Through Cultural Partnerships
The London programme represents the latest step in Serendipity Arts’ growing international presence. The not-for-profit cultural organisation supports artistic practice, research, education and cultural dialogue across South Asia and internationally. Its work spans grants, residencies, commissions and collaborations, alongside the annual Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa.
According to the organisation, the initiative builds on collaborations across Europe and the United Kingdom and follows its participation in international projects including the India Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
Additional information from Serendipity Arts notes that the organisation operates one of South Asia’s largest multidisciplinary arts festivals, bringing together visual arts, music, theatre, film, literature and culinary arts.
Eyes Shall Deceive to Premiere at the Science Museum
The first project, Eyes Shall Deceive (ननै न की ठगी), will premiere on 5 June 2026 during Innovation Lates at the Science Museum in London. Commissioned and produced by Serendipity Arts, the work is a collaboration between composer Sneha Khanwalkar and contemporary artist Sudarshan Shetty.
Presented as an immersive multidisciplinary performance, the project combines live music, sound, visual storytelling and performance. Inspired by musical folklore and street performance traditions from contemporary Indian cities, the work explores themes of memory, illusion and collective experience.
The performance will take place at IMAX: The Ronson Theatre within the Science Museum from 21:00 to 21:40.
Giants on the Move Brings Puppetry to Exhibition Road
The second project, Giants on the Move, will be staged on 6 and 7 June 2026 as part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival. Directed by renowned puppeteer Dadi Pudumjee, the work transforms Exhibition Road into a site of public participation and performance.
The street parade will feature:
- Giant handcrafted puppets
- Live percussion performances
- Moving sculptural elements
- Interactive public participation
Drawing on India’s longstanding puppetry traditions, the project reimagines the urban street as a shared civic space where audiences become part of the artistic experience.
Festival Context and Public Access
The Great Exhibition Road Festival is a free annual celebration of science and the arts held in South Kensington. The 2026 edition commemorates 175 years since the Great Exhibition of 1851 and will take place on 6–7 June. The festival is led by Imperial College London in collaboration with major cultural institutions across the district.
Visitors can expect:
- Free arts and science programmes
- Public performances and installations
- Workshops and talks
- Activities for audiences of all ages
About the Science Museum and Venue
The Science Museum, located in South Kensington, is part of the Science Museum Group and houses internationally significant collections documenting scientific, technological and medical achievements. The museum has become known for exhibitions that connect science with wider social and cultural themes.
The partnership with Serendipity Arts reflects a broader interest in interdisciplinary programming that brings together artistic and scientific perspectives.
Serendipity Arts Festival Continues in Goa
The London programme follows a milestone year for Serendipity Arts. In December 2025, the Serendipity Arts Festival marked its tenth anniversary in Panjim, Goa. Over the past decade, the festival has welcomed more than one million visitors and participants from over 50 countries and has become one of the region’s most significant multidisciplinary cultural events.
The eleventh edition of the festival is scheduled to take place in Panjim, Goa, from 13–20 December 2026.
Visitor Information
| Events | Details |
| Event Name | Serendipity Arts London 2026 Programme |
| Key Projects | Eyes Shall Deceive (ननै न की ठगी) and Giants on the Move |
| Artists | Sneha Khanwalkar, Sudarshan Shetty, Dadi Pudumjee |
| Venue | Science Museum and Exhibition Road |
| City | London, United Kingdom |
| Opening Date | 5 June 2026 |
| Exhibition / Event Dates | 5–7 June 2026 |
| Organiser | Serendipity Arts |
| Partners | Science Museum and Great Exhibition Road Festival |
| Entry / Tickets | Public festival events are free; registration may be required for selected programmes. |
| Website | Serendipity Arts Great Exhibition Road Festival Science Museum London |
Eyes Shall Deceive (ननै न की ठगी)
- Date: 5 June 2026
- Time: 21:00–21:40
- Venue: IMAX: The Ronson Theatre, Science Museum, London
- Commissioned and Produced by Serendipity Arts
Giants on the Move
- Dates: 6–7 June 2026
- Times: 12:45–13:15 and 15:15–15:45
- Venue: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London
- Part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival
Takeaway
The London 2026 programme positions Serendipity Arts within a wider international conversation about culture, public space and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through immersive performance and participatory public art, the projects aim to connect audiences across cultural backgrounds while highlighting contemporary South Asian artistic practices. By bringing together artists, institutions and communities, the initiative contributes to ongoing dialogue around creativity, accessibility and cultural exchange in global public spaces.
