Justin Caguiat's 'Change Ringing' Opens at Serpentine South with Thermochromic Paintings and Bronze Bells
The Serpentine South in London is currently hosting Justin Caguiat's inaugural UK institutional exhibition, titled 'Change Ringing,' which will run until January 10, 2027. This artist, originally from Tokyo and now based in the US, showcases a diverse array of works including paintings, sculptures, prints, clay pieces, and films, some of which are displayed outdoors. A notable installation features thermochromic paintings on copper that change in response to bell ringing. The exhibition also presents large-scale works reminiscent of murals, alongside a 16mm film by Caguiat in a back room. Additionally, bronze bells shaped like various plants and a musical score by composer Lily Pickett are included. 'Change Ringing' draws inspiration from science fiction and early Philippine Catholic art and follows Caguiat's previous work, 'Zodiac Machine' (March 4 – April 1, 2026, Madrid). Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, it is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.
Key facts
- Justin Caguiat's 'Change Ringing' is on view at Serpentine South, Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XA, until January 10, 2027.
- The exhibition is Caguiat's first institutional show in the UK and follows 'Zodiac Machine' in Madrid (March 4 – April 1, 2026).
- It features a site-specific installation of thermochromic paintings on copper, heating mats, and microcontrollers triggered by bell ringing.
- Caguiat presents bronze bells cast in flower and plant-seed forms, with a score by composer Lily Pickett based on English change ringing.
- The gallery walls amplify bell sounds, turning the architecture into a listening instrument, inspired by concrete acoustic mirrors and Le Corbusier.
- A 16mm film by Caguiat is shown in a small cinema in a rarely used back room of the gallery.
- The exhibition is curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Natalia Grabowska, and Alexa Chow.
- Serpentine South is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00, closed Mondays.
Entities
Artists
- Justin Caguiat
- Lily Pickett
- Justo Gallego Martínez
- Harold Lloyd
- Le Corbusier
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Bettina Korek
- Natalia Grabowska
- Alexa Chow
- Isabela Mora
- Francisco Goya
Institutions
- Serpentine South
- Serpentine
- Fundación Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Madrid
- Santa Ana y la Esperanza Church
- Moratalaz Market
- Catedral de Justo
- YouTube
- Fundación Sandretto Re Rebaudengo
- CCA Wattis Institute of Contemporary Arts
- Modern Art
- Greene Naftali
- Taka Ishii Gallery
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
- Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles
- Hammer Museum
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Serpentine Galleries
- Art Plugged
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan
- United States
- London
- United Kingdom
- Kensington Gardens
- Madrid
- Spain
- Mejorada del Campo
- Moratalaz
- San Francisco
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Dallas
- Catedral de Justo