5x15 is one of London’s leading spoken-word event series, bringing together some of the world’s most interesting thinkers, writers, artists and cultural figures for evenings of ideas, stories and conversation. Originally built around the format of five speakers speaking for fifteen minutes each, 5x15 now presents a range of live events including talks, lectures and in-conversations. Since launching in London in 2009, 5x15 has hosted everyone from Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie to Marina Abramović, Stephen Fry and Zadie Smith. Observer subscribers can access 50% off selected upcoming events.
What Makes a Masterpiece? Lachlan Goudie and Simon Schama In Conversation
Friday 10th July
Conway Hall, Holborn
Artist and writer Lachlan Goudie joins historian Simon Schama for an evening exploring the hidden materials, techniques and breakthroughs behind some of the world’s greatest paintings. From Giotto di Bondone and Artemisia Gentileschi to J. M. W. Turner, Pablo Picasso and Anselm Kiefer, they ask what separates good art from truly great art.
Angela Duckworth on How To Succeed at Work
Friday 18 September Emmanuel Centre, Westminster
Bestselling author of Grit, Angela Duckworth comes to the 5x15 stage to discuss her new book Situated: Find the People and Places That Bring Out Your Best. In conversation, Duckworth explores how the environments we inhabit profoundly shape behaviour, motivation and success.
Slavoj Žižek’s Cultural Orgy
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Sunday 11 October
Union Chapel, Islington
A shameless tour through the films, books, music and ideas that shaped one of the world’s most provocative philosophers. Join Slavoj Žižek for a very special evening of film, philosophy and cultural mischief as he ranges across ideology, desire, politics and popular culture with his trademark humour and unpredictability.
Inside The World of The Beatles with Gary Kemp and Tom Holland
Tuesday 13 October Conway Hall, Holborn
Musician and writer Gary Kemp joins historian Tom Holland for an evening exploring the extraordinary cultural world surrounding The Beatles at the height of their fame
Inside The World of The Beatles with Gary Kemp and Simon Halfon
Tuesday 20 October Old Market, Brighton
Gary Kemp and Simon Halfon bring their exploration of the extraordinary world surrounding The Beatles to Brighton for an evening of music, culture and 1960s history.
Visit https://www.5x15.com/events to book your tickets and enter the code OBSERVER for 50% off.