Hooray for the V&A
The V&A’s Exhibition Road entrance and piazza
Regular visitors to the That’s Not My Age comments box will be familiar with the eloquent musings of Mrs Tonia. Antonia Cunliffe has had a portfolio career in the arts, including researching and writing about art, architecture and the built environment. We’ve met a couple of times and so I asked Mrs Tonia if she’d like to move out of the comments box and onto the front page. Here she discusses the V&A’s expansion and a talk by director Tristram Hunt:
As a historian, broadcaster and former Labour MP before taking up his new role in February 2017, Tristram Hunt is the perfect leader for an institution in the midst of expansion not only within London, up north of the border to Dundee but also to southern China. He has the charm and confidence to persuade benefactors to support this global brand in its necessary fundraising efforts. The new extension to the existing Cromwell Road building in South Kensington, grandly called the new Exhibition Road Quarter, opened in June of last year. Designed by Amanda Levete Architects a colonnade leads to a cafe and new subterranean galleries across a white porcelain piazza. The idea is to encourage more passers by to discover the displays within and to broaden access. It’s a long time since I’ve heard about specific architecture making spaces more user-friendly. I have been visiting the V & A since I was a schoolgirl nearby and did research in its library when I was an architecture student. Subsequently I’ve been a member, on a modest scale, doing my bit as a patron. So I was interested to learn more about the ambitions for the institution.
The V&A’s new photography centre
This month the new Photography Centre opened in refurbished upstairs galleries. At the entrance, glass cases display over one hundred and fifty old cameras. The Centre will show examples of the earliest daguerreotypes and negatives to contemporary digital, pixelated creations. The existing collection has been enhanced by the inclusion of the Royal Photographic Society collection. This is not without controversy. This gain to the central London museum is at once a loss for the National Science & Media Museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire where it was housed previously. However outreach and “spreading our wings” are part of the brief. V & A Dundee opened its doors this September. A striking composition designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, of triangular forms the museum on the banks of the river Tay is part of a major regeneration of the waterfront there. Like the London original, admission is free. The objective is to encourage local visitors to discover the collections as well as boosting tourism. One draw is the first Gallery of Scottish Design. And the installation of a Charles Rennie Mackintosh tearoom from Glasgow, long dismantled and in storage. In the wake of the devastating fire, the second, of the Glasgow School of Art, this can only be a good thing. And in my opinion manoeuvres to increase the V & A brand by entering into collaborations with the Design Society in Shenzhen in Southern China by lending objects and curatorial expertise can only benefit the main museum.
The V&A Dundee
Furthermore, ambitious plans are at a preliminary stage for a V & A East to join the East Bank Quarter campus near the site of the 2012 Olympic Games in Stratford, East London. Of course it is commendable to want to build “a new Albertopolis” there to “serve new communities and a new audience” by 2022. But I worry that the money to transform these ideals into built form will be hard to come by, at a time of budget trimming, austerity and uncertainty over Brexit and Britain’s place within Europe.
Discussion (18 Comments)
maudie says:
The V&A………….the jewel in the crown of London. Nothing better than spending a day wandering around and enjoying lunch outside watching the children play/adults paddle in the water. This is one of the most soul soothing days out in London often done alone to relax, much to the chagrin of my family! A trip to the new Photography Centre is due next week – will take my son who is at Uni doing History and Photo-journalism at Sussex. Now Brighton is another one of my favourite haunts…………..
Shona Patterson says:
I would first of all like to mention how much I adore the museum and have been a member forever. However since suffer a stroke at a young age I have mobility issues. I find the new entrance virtually impossible . I have been there in lots of weather conditions and it is challenging in all but dry weather. The last time I was there children were using the initial space as if it were a skating rink ! That was only rain. Beautiful to look at , yes , practical no .
I’m sorry to hear this, Shona – accessibility for all is a legal requirement and should be a priority. I hope that you (and others) have told the V&A about the impossible entrance.
MaureenC says:
My partner who has mobility issues has also raised this and been just as clearly ignored. Whilst I adore the museum I do feel that the new management are more interested in gaining corporate partners than maintaining access for the ordinary punters. Particularly those who don’t have to pay! Keep at it.
Saba says:
The young woman in the long, dark skirt and striped top has a wonderful, somewhat retro, but very modern style. The shoes balance the whole thing beautifully.
Shirley says:
I totally agree! I just returned from Paris where this was almost standard street style. High waists on the slacks & jeans as well. Chopped bob hair styles, or high messy buns. So chic there!
Cindy Sbaschnig says:
I would like to commend the clear, articulate, well-written and perceptive piece on the expansion of the V& A by Antonia Cunliffe. More on culture and architecture with her byline, please!! As a frequent visitor to London from Houston, TX, I plan my visits with the help of the articles and journalism of TNMA.
Shay Corbett says:
I was delighted to read this informative & comprehensive update on the V&A. The museum is always on my Must Visit list when I make it over to the UK from my US home — it’s the site of my favorite memories from living in London during the 1970s. It sounds like a trip to Dundee should now be added to the wish list.
Alice says:
Sadly, outreach and ‘spreading our wings’ to Dundee and southern China are no help or consolation to Bradford.
Wendy in York says:
It pleases me that the museum has branched out to Dundee but saddens me that we lost the Bradford collection . Yet there is to be a second London branch ? It is a wonderful museum which should be available to more people around the UK & I understand there are vast reserves which never see the light of day . I hope the Chinese enjoy our treasures .
Alice and Wendy, I completely agree with you about Bradford. We need excellent museums and collections across the UK, not just in London.
Gill says:
The V&A is one of my favourite places in London and definitely my favourite museum. I’m a member now and thoroughly enjoying the benefits of that!
Has anyone been to the V & A Childrens Museum? That was my favorite when in London. Love it there!
chloe says:
I think the new entrance designed by Amanda Levete opens up the V&A beautifully. Don’t miss the current exhibition in the new galleries below. ‘The Future Starts Here’ is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. A glimpse of what’s ahead?
I ADORE THE V&A on my TWO visits………..these past Two years……….Never enough time to SEE it ALL!I was sick there this last visit and had to sit outside sipping barely a cup of tea………….which held me back from many things this past trip…………forgive me for not getting in touch.I barely saw London ( MY bed saw more of me in the afternoons than I wanted).
WHEN ARE YOU COMING TO CALIFORNIA??????????
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I hadn’t seen any pictures of the amazing new entrance, but the V&A is one of my favourite places – can’t wait to see the new photography gallery – and would love the excuse to visit Dundee !