Events

Overview

This is an incredibly exciting event as it is part of the National Galleries 'late nights' where they open up for talks and other events after the gallery closes.

WARNING: There are limited tickets so please only book one if you are sure you can make it <3

DESCRIPTION:

Organised in partnership with The Centre for Philosophy and Art, King’s College London, this panel discussion is the third in a series exploring the relationship between the National Gallery Collection, as well as art more widely, and our emotions. 

What is ‘euphoria’ and, perhaps more intriguingly, what is it for? On one account it is a sense of perfect harmony, individuality, and purity, accompanied by a feeling of extreme wellbeing that connects us to the heavenly realm. On another, it’s an exquisite dissimulation of the self.

But what does this really mean and how might the paintings in the National Gallery help us understand it and its relevance to our lives today? And how are artists representing euphoria in contemporary work? 

Philosopher, journalist and the author of over 20 books Julian Baggini is joined by Joachim Aufderheide, Reader in Philosophy, Kings College London; Vanessa Brassey, co-director of the Centre for Philosophy and Art; Siobhán Jolley, the Ahmanson Fellow in Religion and Art at the National Gallery; and artist Sikelela Owen to debate these questions.

THE PLAN:

Arrive at 6pm at the entrance of the national portrait gallery, get aquainted and enter together

Talk begins at 6.30-7.45pm

Go to a pub/bar nearby and discuss what we thought about the talk