Only two months to the opening of Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes 1909-1929- the V&A’s special exhibition for Autumn 2010 – so started my blog. Hope to give you an insight into the run up to a major exhibition here, and an idea of some of the challenges we face. And of course we hope you will want to come to the show itself! It’s a rare opportunity and it’s unlikely that many of the exhibits will be seen again here for many years.
But first the team. I’ve been the V&A’s Curator of dance since 2006 and working on the Diaghilev exhibition since 2007 with Geoffrey Marsh, who runs the Theatre & Performance Department and Sarah Sonner, our research assistant. A major exhibition is a team effort – a bit like making a film – and involves designers, conservators, fund raisers, technicians, marketing staff and many more. Central to it all is Diana McAndrews (seen below left with Angela Drinkall of the design team) the exhibition co-ordinator who is always calm and charming despite our numerous demands.
We are currently awaiting graphic maps to show just where Diaghilev’s influences came from and how far his company travelled. At least the book to go with the exhibition is complete and we have seen advance copies.