Subversive Spaces

Hey - has anyone seen the exhibtion at the Whitworth Subversive Spaces - Kinderzimmer - have tried to add a link but best to go see it!!! Its an installation thats in complete darkness, -http://subversivespaces.com/

The Heritage 'Experience'? O2

The British Music Experience at the O2 area is now open, at at cost of £9.5M.

Is this the future of the visitor experience? Or a bit of disposable pop culture? Having said that, for collectors the cultural 'disposable' pop culture is now big business, and most likely the exhibits of tomorrow.

Perhaps we need to look at our museum and gallery displays, and consider their representation of cultural progression. Do they actually help us to understand how we got to where we are now? Or are they locked in time, and therefore largely irrelevant to contemporary (and young) visitors in the 21st century?

Do you have a collection, add some comments about it. It may be big or small, off-beat or mainstream. We'd all like to read about it. And why/when you started it. Please feel free to add pics if you want.

It's the Mad Max vision of the Counter-Reformation.

To what is AA Gill responding?

Any guesses?

Iconic Images: The Vanity Fair Anniversary Book, National Portrait Gallery

Me again. Amongst my tour of London I saaw many postersrelating to an Iconic Images exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery. It shows images from vanity fair from 1913 though to 2003. It has been launched as an advertising strategy for a new book by the gallery.

I went to have a look and was directed down to the basement where the book shop is (clever to have the exhibit right next to the shop) and I have to admit that I was utterly dissapointed.
One you wouldn't know the exhibit was there unless you asked for directions and too it was so dark due to the basement that the pictures looked dull and lifeless. The positioning I can understand as it does encourage you to take a look in the book shop but there were only around ten prints and they are positioned next to the lift and exit way, which i feel doesn't do them the justice they deserve.

I was shocked as aparently the exhibition has been extended until April, however i do question wether this is due to poor book sales more than visitors having a fantastic experience. any way if you get a chance, take a look and see if you agree.

London Fashion Weekend

hey all,

As you all know I was at London Fashion Weekend last week, which was held in the grounds of the Natural History Museum. it was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the history of fashion and the latest current trends. There was also a clear link between the fashion show starting and the opening of the "hats" exhibition at the V and A.

It was interesting to see the link between fashion and culture as well. The opening of the "hats" exhibit was frequented by numerous celebrities and designers, who may not often go to museums etc. Its nice that events like this can bridge a gap between the retail side of fashion and the educational role that it can play.

Above all else it was enjoyable and well will leave you out of pocket hehe

have a look on the link if you are interested in this area.

Who owns our history?

George Monbiot, in  Comment and Debate (The Guardian 24.2.09) questions the role of the National Trust in 'editing' the history they present to the public. The Trust aims to act as guardian and trustee for the nation, as proprietor (owner) of many the the examples of architecture and social history in the country. As a fund raiser, the Trust aims to attract visitors, to increase its membership, and act as conservator of our heritage.

Monbiot questions the sanitisation of history by the trust, giving examples where the life of the actual users of the buildings are not mentioned; where perhaps not to scare visitors away with too much realism, history is selective. Admitting that "we can never hope to fully understand the past, but we can recognise that history is open to widely different interpretations... The Trust is ready to explore unfamiliar and uncomfortable history in new ways."

As a member of the National Trust, I have visited many sites and buildings. Never have I been exposed to "uncomfortable history" or seen displays or material which truly explores the true nature of the life for the inhabitants over the years. 

Has time come to perhaps admit the past to the present, and freely discuss how lives were lived, how we view and evaluate them, or are we not ready for such a bold step?

see: monbiot.com

The Guardian, page 31. 24.2.09

In the Media: 24 February 2009

In the library, with the guide book - Christie's home opens:

Following the refurbishment of Agatha Christie's Devon home 'Greenway', the National Trust opens it to the public.

The Guardian. Page 12. 24th February 2009.