|
In 1857 the Royal College of Art moved to its South Kensington home, alongside other notable institutions born of the Great Exhibition, including the South Kensington Museum (now the V&A), Imperial College of Science and Technology, The Royal College of Music and the Albert Hall. Exhibition Road was born.
Fast-forward 150 years and the RCA is delighted has organised The Great Exhibition 2007. In honour of this auspicious anniversary, the College will be holding its most spectacular summer show to date with a celebration of this year's graduating students' work under the sponsorship of the Conran Foundation.
To celebrate this anniversary in style, the College will be constructing a temporary pavilion in Kensington Gardens adjacent to the Albert Memorial, together with an exhibition in the College galleries from 15th to 28th June. The extra space will enable the RCA to show the work of all of its graduating students simultaneously.
Visiting the RCA graduate show offers a glimpse into the future of art and design. Most of the work will be for sale or commission, offering an exceptional opportunity for the public to buy unique pieces of art and design with prices starting from a few pounds for a piece of jewellery to a few thousand for a bespoke chandelier. Other items for sale include furniture, lighting, books, prints, ceramics, kitchen and tableware, vases and clothing. Past students of the RCA who have become household names include James Dyson, Ridley Scott, David Hockney, Zandra Rhodes, Philip Treacy, Tracey Emin and Henry Moore.
Rector of the College, Sir Christopher Frayling said: "This has to be one of the most exciting developments to have happened during my time here at the College. I like to think that Prince Albert would have loved it! This will be a major event not only for us but for the whole of South Kensington."
He added: "The Conran Foundation has for a second year running provided the means to deliver our Summer exhibition. We are enormously grateful for their additional support this special year, for The Great Exhibition 2007. The Foundation's vision and generosity will help launch the 2007 RCA graduates into their professional careers."
Sir Terence Conran said: "We are delighted to once again work with the Royal College of Art. The Conran Foundation is committed to promoting a better understanding of the commercial and cultural benefits of good design, and what better way to do this than to support The Great Exhibition 2007 - where design and art meet and do marvellous things together in what could well be the greatest Show in the RCA's history."
E&OE
|