OPENING
ZOOMORPHIC
Contemporary Space
18 September 2003 - 4 January 2004
Today's leading architects from Santiago Calatrava and Frank Gehry to
Will Alsop and Norman Foster are being inspired by animal forms to take
modern architecture in an exciting new direction. Not since the emergence
of Art Nouveau a century ago has there been such an eruption of new building
inspired by the natural world. It has been made possible by new building
materials, computer design software, brilliant structural engineers and
the suspension of the old rules of architectural good taste. Zoomorphic
pulls together the worldwide buildings and projects which are in the vanguard
of this new movement, and explores it by displaying architectural models
and photographs alongside skeletons and stuffed specimens. Projects featured
include Santiago Calatrava's Milwaukee Art Museum, which rises over its
city like a bird with wings outstretched; Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners'
Waterloo International Terminal, whose glazing panels are articulated
like the scales of creatures such as lizards or pangolins; and Foster
and Partners' Swiss Re London office tower, where not only the appearance
but the structure and even the ventilation system bear analogy with sea
sponges.
CONTINUES
OSSIE CLARK
15 July - 2 May 2004
The V&A celebrates the work of Ossie Clark, one of the most influential
British fashion designers of the '60s and '70s. This mini-retrospective,
featuring more than 60 garments, along with sketchbooks and photographs,
covers the period 1965-1974 when Clark's designs helped define the spirit
of fashionable London. From the maxi skirt to the 'nude' look and the
trouser suit, Clark's designs set new trends. In addition, his collaboration
with his wife, the textile and interior designer Celia Birtwell, resulted
in some of his best known and most popular creations.
Ossie
Clark was a key figure in the world of photographers, designers, rock
stars and other celebrities who took London by storm in the '60s and '70s.
The famous and the fashionable wore Ossie Clark's designs including Marianne
Faithfull, Jimi Hendrix and Patti Boyd. He created jumpsuits for Mick
Jagger, silk dresses for Bianca Jagger and dressed Eartha Kitt in snakeskin.
Fashion icons like Twiggy, Veruschka, Jean Shrimpton and Penelope Tree
modelled the clothes while David Bailey and Guy Bourdin took the photographs.
Celebrity outfits in the show include Twiggy's fur-lined snakeskin coat,
the dress Celia Birtwell posed in for David Hockney's famous double portrait
Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy and Talhlita Getty's red crêpe evening
dress.
NEW
PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY
The new Photography Gallery highlights works from the V&A's world-renowned
photography collection, shows displays of images by major photographers
and features new acquisitions.
The
Photography Gallery provides visitors with a superb resource, serving
as an introduction to the history of photography and to the national collection
of the art of photography. The photography collection began in 1852 and
now holds 300,000 images including works by William Henry Fox Talbot,
Julia Margaret Cameron, Eadweard Muybridge, Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand,
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Bill Brandt, Irving Penn, William Eggleston and
Cindy Sherman.
NEW
ACQUISITIONS IN THE PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY
11 August - 2 November 2003
'Recent Gifts of Photojournalism', on show in the temporary display area
of the V&A's new photography gallery, celebrates two significant new
acquisitions of 20th century photographs. Examples from a body of work
by David Seymour ('Chim') will be shown together with photographs and
related material from the archive of the John Hillelson Agency, including
work by Erich Salomon, Gisèle Freund and Ernst Haas.
MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD AT BETHNAL GREEN, A BRANCH OF THE V&A
TEDDY BEAR STORY - 100 YEARS OF THE TEDDY BEAR
29 March - 31 December
Teddy Bear Story -100 years of the Teddy Bear celebrates our ongoing affection
for the teddy bear. Taking place at the Museum of Childhood at Bethnal
Green, part of the V&A, it is the most comprehensive exhibition being
staged to commemorate the teddy bear centenary.
Highlights
include:
· Celebrity bears - including Rupert, Paddington, Winnie the Pooh,
Sooty and Aloysius from Brideshead Revisited.
· Some of the oldest surviving bears feature alongside newer creations
such as Philippe Starck's contemporary teddy bear.
Interactive and fun displays demonstrate the hallmarks of individual manufacturers,
and also highlight the roles played by teddy bears in television, books,
music, cartoons and charities. Children are encouraged to draw and follow
trails as they learn about the history of the teddy bear.
OPEN
HOUSE WEEKEND AT THE MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD AT BETHNAL GREEN
20 & 21 September
Have you ever wondered what the Museum of Childhood used to be? Why do
you think it looks a bit like a train station? How did it come to be in
Bethnal Green?
As
part of a London-wide celebration of architecture, you can come along
and learn about the history of the Museum, one of the finest examples
of Victorian engineering in the country. You will learn about its link
to the Great Exhibition of 1851, the murals on the side of the building,
the historic mosaic floor and much more. You will also hear about the
Museum's plans for the future. A must for anyone interested in architecture
or local history.
Diane
Lees, Director of the Museum, will be leading tours of the building at
11.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday 20th September. A free, written guide will
be available all weekend.
EVENTS
AT THE V&A
Carnival for All
Sunday 28 September 11.00-17.00
An opportunity to participate in and enjoy carnival costume, make up,
music and dance workshops and performances. Learn to dance to all types
of music - from samba, to soca to steel pan, and join in the Carnival
parade. A chance to view or to wear selected spectacular children's carnival
costumes from Notting Hill Carnival 2003 - and without the crowds.
This
annual popular V&A event with talks, discussions and debates about
the different aspects of historical and contemporary carnival this year
looks at dance, movement and body decoration. There will be also be an
exhibition of images curated by the Contemporary Team of the V&A focussing
on the street style of people at Carnival 2003.
PLEASE
NOTE THERE IS NO FRIDAY LATE VIEW IN SEPTEMBER.
KIDS
AT THE V&A
Activity Back-Packs
Every Saturday 10.30-17.00
Children can hoist a Back-Pack on their shoulders and embark upon an adventure
across the Museum. Back-Pack tours are full of exciting hands-on activities
related to the collections. There are eight Back-Packs to choose from:
Chinese Treasures, Metal Detector, The Explorer, The Antique Detective,
Magic Glasses, Fancy Furnishings, Murder Mystery and The Emperor's Party.
Activities can last 30-45 minutes. For children aged 5-12 years.
The Activity Cart
Every Sunday 10.30 - 17.00
Explore the Museum's collections through drawing and making activities.
The Activity Cart is sited in a different gallery each weekend. Loaded
with a huge variety of activities ranging from making mosaics in the Sculpture
Gallery to designing a kimono in the Japanese Gallery. Activities are
suitable for children aged 3 to 12 years. All children must be accompanied
by an adult.
GENERAL INFORMATION
FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL.
The V&A is open daily 10am - 5.45pm and until 10pm on Wednesdays.
The nearest underground station is South Kensington (Piccadilly, District
and Circle lines). For general information call 020 7942 2000. Website:
http://www.vam.ac.uk
NOT
FOR PUBLICATION: For further PRESS information and images, please contact
the V&A Press Office. Telephone: (020) 7942 2502 Fax: (020) 7942 24 |
