Sat-Wed: 10am-8pm (last entry 6:30pm)
Thu-Fri: 10am-10pm (last entry 8:30pm)
Bank Holiday Monday: 12noon-8pm (last entry 6:30pm)
Please be aware that private events and hires mean that some public areas of the Barbican may be closed during your visit; this will not affect access to ticketed content but may restrict viewing of some of the foyers works.
The genre-defining exhibition of art, design, film and literature.
Uncover the mysterious lands of Jules Verne and Ray Harryhausen where Science Fiction narratives first took root. Venture on an odyssey into our solar system, with vintage artwork promoting Soviet visions of space alongside immersive work by Soda_Jerk. Visit a gallery of aliens, and stand alongside iconic spacesuits from a galaxy of blockbusters including Star Trek and Interstellar.
Imagine dystopian worlds with Margaret Atwood and 28 Days Later. Then, with nowhere left to explore but human consciousness, delve deep and experience the transformation and mutation of the body through the eyes of Jack Kirby and Ex Machina.
Curated by historian and writer Patrick Gyger, this exhibition consists of more than 800 works, many of which have never been seen in the UK before.
Into the Unknown: A Journey through Science Fiction is curated by Barbican International Enterprises with co-production partners, Brandts –Museum of Art & Visual Culture, Denmark, and Onassis Cultural Centre - Athens, Greece. It will be staged at both venues before embarking on an international tour. Photography by Dan Tobin Smith, design by Praline.
The exhibition is accessible for wheelchairs. Enhanced security measures are currently in place. Only one reasonably-sized bag per person may be taken inside our venues and all bags may be searched by a member of our team
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Reviews
Discover
Long Read: Brave New Words - Writing the Unknown
From Mary Shelley’s apocalyptic future in The Last Man, to Philip K. Dick’s surreal Ubik, Science Fiction librarian and Into the Unknown advisor, Andy Sawyer, uncovers how writers have been inspired by the unknown.
Watch: Barbican Meets - Samantha Cristoforetti
We meet Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (who holds a few spaceflight records — including being the first person ever to brew an espresso in space) shares her thoughts on Science Fiction and what the genre can tell us about the future.
Watch: Designing Into the Unknown
Learn how traditional special effect technique 'cloud tanks', as used by SFX pioneer Douglas Trumbull in 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner, were combined with modern technology to create our otherworldly Into the Unknown photography.
The Curve
Location
The Curve is located on Level G and can be found at the bottom of the Silk Street entrance ramp, opposite the Barbican Shop.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Assistance dogs are welcome. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the gallery staff during your visit.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
Enhanced security measures are currently in place at the Barbican.
As part of these measures only one reasonably-sized bag (no larger than 32cm L x 18cm W x 22cm H) per person may be taken inside our venues and all bags may be searched by a member of our team.
We ask that, where possible, visitors avoid bringing large bags to the Centre. If you do need to check bags into our free cloakrooms, we suggest arriving early. All bags deposited will be subject to search and random bag searches are also in operation.
Please also remember that belongings should not be left unattended at any time.
Thank you for your understanding – we look forward to welcoming you to the Barbican.
