Monday 24 July 2017

Into The Unknown At The Barbican (and other adventures)

The other week, my friend David & I went to London to see the "Into The Unknown" exhibition at The Barbican.  It was the first time either of us had been to the venue and I, particularly, fell in love with the place - I'm not generally a fan of Brutalism but the Barbican estate looked fantastic (and wouldn't have looked out of place in A Clockwork Orange either).

The exhibition itself was also a lot of fun.  Running until 1st September, it spans "from the 19th century cabinet of curiosities, to the vastness of space. Through future cities, into the inner landscapes of human perception.

Uncover the mysterious lands of Jules Verne and Ray Harryhausen where Science Fiction narratives first took root. Venture on an odyssey into our solar system, with vintage artwork promoting Soviet visions of space alongside immersive work by Soda_Jerk. Visit a gallery of aliens, and stand alongside iconic spacesuits from a galaxy of blockbusters including Star Trek and Interstellar."

From early comics to pulp paperbacks (properly afforded their rightful place in the development of the genre), to film props and iconic imagery (yay for Stormtroopers and Ray Harryhausen dinosaurs!), it was terrific and if you have even a passing interest in sci-fi (film, especially and reading) then it's definitely worth a visit.

More details can be found here - Into the Unknown: A Journey through Science Fiction



Ray Harryhausen's dinosaurs!
Ralph McQuarrie's original concept for The Millennium Falcon (which had to be changed, since it too closely resembled the Eagle from Space: 1999)
"Iddi biddi biddi, okay Buck..."
Above and below - Conrad Shawcross' installation 'In Light Of The Machine', located in the Pit
opposite angle, taken from the walkway visible in the first picture
St Giles-without-Cripplegate
On top of London, across from St Paul's
The Globe theatre (centre of pic) from the Millennium Bridge
Debating art in The Tate Modern
David discovers work by someone with a curiously familiar name at the Southbank Book Market

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