Investigate The Artsy East Wing

Love Somerset House and long to poke about in its hidden bits? This Friday the Courtauld Institute's 8th biennial East Wing Collection opens its doors to the public as part of its commitment to seeing contemporary and living art integrated into the daily life of the art school. Curated by current students this year's show is called 'On Time' and the programme sounds totally wacky. Watch out for performance, procession, dancing green beans, live internet paintings, film, reprojections and something ominously called "The Fall" billed for the back staircase. If you're lucky, a roving artist might do you a quickie portrait for you as a souvenir.

Of particular interest to the Londonophile's amongst us is Stephen Walter's The Island: London Series, last seen setting up shop in St Pancras' Crypt, this exhibition is now in the Courtauld's refectory.

It's all going on, gaily, all over the Courtauld from 6pm. Admission is open and free till 8pm. After that you need a special invitation as it turns into a party. Betchoo can wing it all night if you try, though. Just be careful on those back stairs.

If you miss this Friday the Collection will be open on Sunday 22 February and once a month until July. See the website for details. East Wing 8 is at the Courtauld Institute of Art inside Somerset House, Strand.