Support a unique contemporary art exhibition blending painting, scent, performance, and moving image in a Gothic church in heart of London
THE SCENT OF BABYLON is a one-night-only contemporary art exhibition taking place on 18 June 2026 inside St John’s Hyde Park, a Gothic church in central London.
Combining painting, live performance, moving image, scent, and taste, THE SCENT OF BABYLON transforms a Gothic church into a cinematic environment of red light, movement, and sensory experience. Throughout the evening, the space will shift through saturated red light, large-scale projections, curated scent, complimentary drinks designed around the exhibition theme, and performance unfolding through the audience.
Developed by artist Anna Kiparis in collaboration with photographer Andy Go, and curated by Alexandra Dolgosheina, the exhibition explores how women have historically been shaped through opposing archetypes rather than lived realities. Centred around the Biblical contrast between the Virgin Mary and the Wh-re of Babylon, the project reflects on the collision of these extremes and the impossibility of reducing female experience to a single role, identity, or expectation.
Unlike a traditional exhibition, THE SCENT OF BABYLON is conceived as a temporary live experience that can only fully exist for one evening. Visitors move through an environment where visual art, scent, sound, taste, and performance interact simultaneously, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere that shifts throughout the night.
The evening will also include:
• Live performance and choreography
• Exclusive scent curation in collaboration with Dor Olfactory
• Complimentary limited-edition cocktails created using premium spirits from Speciality Brands
• Limited-edition artworks and photographic works available during the event
We are currently raising funds to help cover venue hire, installation materials, technical equipment, projection and lighting setup, live documentation, and performer support.
By supporting the project, you are not simply purchasing a ticket — you are helping realise an independent contemporary art event bringing together artists, performers, musicians, and creative practitioners across multiple disciplines.
As this is a one-night-only event with limited capacity, every contribution plays a direct role in making the exhibition possible.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 19th June 2026 at 12:00am