EVENTS
Baroque Baroque
The Irrepressibles by Yael Frachler 2007 (click image for larger version)
Friday 19 June
Sackler Centre and throughout the V&A
18.00-21.30
Explore the exuberance, decadence and theatricality of the Baroque style in an evening of burlesque, performance and spectacle. The Irrepressibles premiere their re-interpretation of Baroque fantasy and sound, the Human Music Box, with thanks to Latitude Festival . See cabaret artist Chris Green of Duckie perform, join a celebrity-led tour of Baroque 1620-1800 and watch students from Wimbledon College of Art model extravagant creations of Baroque costumes. Enjoy Baroque music, learn Baroque dances and create a light and sound piece inspired by Baroque style.
Free, some events will be ticketed. Tickets available on the night as specified below.
Programme
Mirror, Matthias Lock, UK, around 1745. Museum no. W.8-1960. (click image for larger version)
Mirror Mirror
Digital Studio, Sackler Centre
18.30-21.30
Create a unique interactive digital artwork using your own image in a virtual mirror and Baroque style visuals. Join interaction designer Joel Gethin Lewis and members of the digital programmes team and discover your Baroque-styled alter ego.
Free, drop-in
Concert
Norfolk House Music Room, British Galleries
18.30-19.00 & 19.05-19.30
Hear musicians from the Royal College of Music perform Baroque classics.
Free, numbers limited
Baroque Dancing (click image for larger version)
Baroque Dance
Demonstrations
Grand Entrance, 18.30 & 19.30
Baroque Ball
John Madejski Garden, 20.30-21.30
See historical choreographers and musicians Baroque 'n' Roll demonstrate Baroque dances and then join the Baroque Ball.
Free, drop-in
Baroque Costume Talks
Art Studio, Sackler Centre
18.45 & 19.45
Wimbledon College of Art First Year students give talks about the making of their Baroque inspired costumes.
Free, drop-in
Jamie McDermott of The Irrepressibles by Socrates Mitsios 2008 (click image for larger version)
The Irrepressibles present The Human Music Box
Raphael, Room 48a
19.00-19.30 (Tickets released at 18.00)
20.30-21.00 (Tickets released at 19.45)
Described as a 'big, bad Baroque shock', ten-piece alternative orchestra The Irrepressibles premiere their re-interpretation of Baroque fantasy and sound, The Human Music Box, also presented by Latitude Festival in July. Conceived by artist Jamie McDermott of the Irrepressibles, The Human Music Box is a performance installation to delight all ages. The orchestral players, surrounding their extraordinary counter-tenor singer on a central rotating circular platform, will move like clockwork marionettes from another world as they create a beautiful and intriguing Baroque fantasy.
Free, ticketed
Tickets available from the Information Desk, Grand Entrance.
Christopher Green as US Cultural critic Jedd O’Sullivan (click image for larger version)
Baroque Obama
Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre
19.30-20.00 (Tickets released at 18.00)
US Cultural critic Jedd O’Sullivan, author of the Art History classic
'Who Do You Do? The Eternal Question Asked of the Impressionists' comes to the V&A with a performative/experiential lecture/happening. Asking fundamentally essential questions about the relationship between our age and that of the Baroque period -musically, aesthetically, politically, spiritually - O'Sullivan ponders whether we are so different from consumers of art then. Does the global financial crisis change our perception of the lavish? Dare the dawn of the age of Obama worship at this shrine of kitsch? Will Michelle Obama see the V&A's exhibition and furnish the White House guest bedrooms accordingly? Only the perceptive, perspicacious and
perpetually peppy Dr O’Sullivan can answer in this interactive lecture
you will never forget.
Jedd O’Sullivan is the creation of character comedian Christopher Green (Tina C, Ida Barr etc). He has been commissioned by a range of prestigious arts venues including Tates Modern and Britain, the Barbican Art Gallery, the Science Museum and the RSC.
Free, ticketed. Tickets available from Information Desk, Sackler Centre.
Costume promenade in the V&A (click image for larger version)
Celebrity Tour of Baroque 1620-1800
Meet outside the exhibition entrance
19.00-19.30
Join a celebrity-led tour of Baroque 1620-1800: Style in the Age of Magnificence.
Exhibition ticket required, numbers limited
Baroque Costume Promenade
Sackler Centre to John Madejski Garden
20.15-20.30
Wimbledon College of Art First Year students parade their Baroque inspired costumes.
Free, drop-in