LONDON MUSEUM DISPLAY

Design & the global city and an art exhibition

Select a single museum display of 20th century London in a London museum (e.g. Museum of London, London Transport Museum, and Geffrye Museum).

You are to examine this display carefully to consider how it reveals visions / views / memories / narratives of London. Museum displays tell particular stories through their selection of objects, their methods of display, the ways in which objects are juxtaposed, and through what stories / objects are not told and shown. Examine your selected displays of London and assess the views of the city you are invited to study.

Consider:

What parts / stories of London are shown?

What objects / images are used to represent London?

How effective / successful is the display in providing a complex and interesting story of London, and how is this done; indeed explain what you understand to be 'effective / successful'

What aspect of the story of London is ignored / left out / hidden in the display?



Design & the global city and an art exhibition

Introduction

Among various museums situated in London, “Royal Academy of Arts” is one of the ancient and famous museums, widely known for the promotion of visual arts via exhibitions & displays, education and debates. It was established in by George III in 1768. The members of the Academy comprised of 34 well-known architects and artists. It also included Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir William Chambers who achieved professional standing for British art and architecture. Its eighteenth century founders continued to search and promote art and architecture till twentieth century and in the today's world. They strive to execute the wide array of visual art to the broadest potential audience (www.royalacademy.org.uk). The RA is a charity and gains funds through displays & exhibitions. The funds are mainly achieved through ticketing, the Academy Shop and Royal Academy Restaurant. It is located at Burlington House in the north region. It is also registered as a company limited in England and Wales (www.royalacademy.org.uk). The famous art exhibition known as “Sensation - art exhibition” was held from September 18 to December 28, 1997 initially at the “Royal Academy of Art” in London. It was owned by Charles Saatchi and several young British artists. The display was one of successful event ever held at RA. The original work of YBA (Young British Artists) selected from The Saatchi Collection was praised internationally. This blast of creativity and exhilaration in the visual arts has not been seen since the appearance of the Pop Art in the beginning of 1960s.

Discussion

The Sensation art exhibition encouraged and promoted the talent of young British artists by giving them an opportunity to participate and present their work at international level. The exhibition is also known as “Sensation show”, it was either source of strong debate or obvious publicity. It succeeded in presenting some of the most severe discussions on the function of art in society.

Figure 2 illustrates the catchy and sensational talent of young ...