Frankie Unsworth visits a British design retrospective at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum.
May 3rd, 2012
This year Britain is all about, well, Britain.
As the country rejoices in hosting the Olympics and we celebrate the Queen’s Diamond jubilee, a sense of patriotism is all pervading.
It’s on our television screens and domestic tourism campaigns (’This is Great’), our museum exhibitions and department store shelves, groaning under the weight of Union Jack memorabilia.
Jumping on the introspective bandwagon is this latest exhibition at London’s Victoria & Albert museum, ’British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age’.
British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age exhibition. 2012 © V&A Images
This chapter of British design traces the period since Britain last hosted the Olympic Games, the ’Austerity Games’, to this year’s lavish affair manifested in Zaha Hadid’s Aquatic Centre (a model of which concludes the exhibit).
Aquatics Centre for the London 2012 Olympic Games, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, completed 2011; shown in Legacy mode © Zaha Hadid Architects
The 1948 games were the first to take place in the wake of WWII in a city still bearing the casualties of the wartime destruction.
Across the three distinctive rooms the exhibition examines key themes of the period in design: “the tension between tradition and modernity; the subversive impulse in British culture; and Britain’s leadership in design innovation and creativity”.
Alexander McQueen, Evening gown, Autumn-Winter 2009. Image courtesy Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images
Jaguar E-Type, 1961, Jaguar Heritage
Margaret Calvert and Jack Kinneir for the Ministry of Transport, Children crossing sign, 1964. © Margaret Calvert
With over 300 objects on display, each commemorating significant moments in British design – ranging from a Terence Conran space divider to David Bowie’s knitted Ziggy Stardust all-in-one costume, and a Dyson vacuum – this is unashamed celebration of British-ness.
Just in case you weren’t feeling patriotic enough, accompanying the exhibit is a soundtrack of British greats echoing out of a dark screening room of music videos; Strawberry Fields Forever and ’Ghostown’ by ska sensations The Specials.
From a biased Briton’s perspective, what can I say? “This is Great.”
Brian Long, Torsion chair, 1971. By kind permission of Brian Long. © Victoria and Albert Museum
Antelope bench, Ernest Race for the Festival of Britain, manufactured by Race Furniture, 1951. © Victoria and Albert Museum
Hero image: Jamie Reid, God Save the Queen poster promoting the Sex Pistols, 1977 © Jamie Reid. Photograph by Victoria and Albert Museum
British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age runs at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum until 12 August 2012
V&A
vam.ac.uk
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The American Hardwood Export Council promotes the works of next-gen designers through Discovered Singapore exhibition happening from 16 to 22 May at Red Dot Design Museum Singapore.
Discover the manifestation of century-old techniques realised with modern technologies
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Meeting Place is a new exhibition showcasing extraordinary Indigenous Australian art and the stories that shape our shared history.
As Designer Of The Year (2018), Alexander & Co know a thing or two about the future of the residential environment. Step inside the firm’s recently completed Palm Beach House.
Credited with pivoting the Korean car brand’s image into the premium space, and the author of Hyandai’s succesfull ‘Genesis’ model, Casey Hyun will be speaking at Vivid Ideas on Exchange on his experiences as a designer. Read more for a limited time discount!
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
The official launch of the 2024 WA Architect Awards opens today – Wednesday 1st May – with the opening of the AIA WA Awards Exhibition.
British architecture practice, AHMM, now has a home in Sydney. We caught up with Paul Monaghan ahead of his Australian Architecture Conference keynote speech.