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We are open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am–5pm, and Bank Holidays.

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Lates & Music

Compositions

Compositions

Entry

Free, donations welcome

Date

Sun 26 Apr 2026

Time

1–2pm & 3–4pm

Location

Turner Contemporary
Rendezvous, Margate

Musical translations of works from the Bridget Riley: Learning to See exhibition, created in collaboration between composer Walter Zimmermann and guitarist Elliot Simpson. 

Plan your visit

Emerging from a musical translation of Bridget Riley’s Early Colour Work – Circles 1970–1972 (2008), which took form as the final movement of Walter Zimmermann’s La Fleur Inverse (1980–2024) for solo guitar, this event further explores the intersections between the artist’s works and sound.

During this live performance, created in collaboration between Walter Zimmermann and guitarist Elliot Simpson, six paintings from Learning to See are reimagined as music—each a sonic reflection of colour, rhythm, and perception.

This informal performance takes place throughout the galleries during public opening hours. The audience is invited to move with the musician from gallery to gallery, with each composition performed alongside the painting that inspired it. The full performance lasts approximately one hour. Visitors are welcome to drop in at any point or follow the performance in its entirety. There will be no formal seating, though a limited number of foldable stools will be available. 

Please note, while this a free, un-ticketed event, entry is subject to capacity. 

We would like to thank Bridget Riley Services Limited for its generous support of this event. 

  • 'Bridget Riley: Learning to See', 2025. Installation view. Courtesy Turner Contemporary. Photo: Above Ground Studio (Seraphina Neville) © Turner Contemporary

About Walter Zimmerman

Walter Zimmermann, born in Schwabach (Middle Franconia) in 1949; 1970-73 studied with Mauricio Kagel (Cologne Courses for New Music) and at the Institute for Sonology in Utrecht; 1974 computer music, Hamilton, NY; 1975 tour of the USA; book publication Desert Plants (Vancouver 1976); 1993-2014 Professor of Composition at the Berlin University of the Arts; 1996 Lecturer at June in Buffalo (USA); 2003 Visiting Professor at ESMUC Barcelona; 2005 Lecturer at the Juilliard School, Columbia University, NYC; 2006 Member of the Academy of Arts; 2007 Composer in Residence at the New England Conservatory, Boston; 2013 Composer in Residence at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; 2013 John Cage: Empty Mind (Suhrkamp-Verlag); 2013 Transcription and edition of John Cage’s piano work Sixteen Dances, discovered in the NYPL; 2016–18 Novalis ABC Book, (Matthes &; Seitz); 2019/20 Ludwig Wittgenstein Reflections on Music (Suhrkamp Verlag).

Walter Zimmermann

About Elliot Simpson

Guitarist Elliot Simpson (b.1987) has given premieres of works by such iconic figures as Sofia Gubaidulina, Alvin Lucier, Michael Finnissy and Larry Polansky, and has worked closely with many other prominent young composers in the creation of new pieces. He has appeared in many of the arts capitals of the world, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Mexico City, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, London, Amsterdam, Cologne, Berlin, Salzburg, and Shanghai, in master classes, workshops, and performances ranging from early music to free improvisation. His recordings can be found on the Microfest, XI, Brilliant Classics, ECM, New World, Infrequent Seams, Soundset, and Hermes record labels. Originally from New Mexico, USA, Elliot studied with David Tanenbaum at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and with Zoran Dukić at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, where he was a recipient of the prestigious Huygens Grant from the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. His Master’s degree in The Hague, as both soloist and chamber musician, was awarded ‘with distinction for his extraordinary contribution to new music.’ He holds a doctoral degree in music from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Elliot Simpson

Accessibility information

A hearing loop system is in place at our retail and café counters.

We’re wheelchair accessible, with step-free access and a lift serving both floors. You can enter the gallery via the access ramp to the right of the entrance steps. 

You can also borrow a wheelchair or portable stool during your visit, and our staff will be happy to help if you require any additional assistance. 

Large print versions of the exhibition text and magnifying sheets are available. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to use them.  

Our staff are trained in delivering audio descriptive tours. If you would like more information about booking an audio described tour please get in touch with us: access@turnercontemporary.org | +44(0)1843 233 000 (operated daily 10am–5pm)  

Audio versions of the exhibition text can be found on our free digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app. For more information and to download the app click here.

Entry to this event is free, but we welcome donations.

Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, CT9 1HG

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