60 years on, the Festival of Britain returns...
When: 22nd April - 4th September 2011
Where: various venues along the South Bank and elsewhere
How much: individual events vary
In 1951, Britain was reeling from the effects of two world wars and the gradual realisation that the nation's days as a colonial overlord were strictly numbered. In a climate of economic misery, the Labour government under Clement Attlee attempted to enliven the nation's spirits with a grand festival of art, music, design and, above all, hope. The Festival of Britain took place across a host of venues, but the focal point was London's South Bank, where buildings such as the Dome of Discovery, Skylon, the Royal Festival Hall and the Telekinema, all under the overall architecture direction of the then 38 year-old Hugh Casson, who was later knighted for his achievements.
2011 sees the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, and at a time of similar economic uncertainty, the Southbank Centre have decided to mark the occasion with another wee festival to lighten the mood of beleaguered Londoners. 2011 isn't going to be such a big deal as 1951 – they're not lining the South Bank with wacky sci-fi structures unfortunately – but it is looking pretty darned excellent.
The programme kicks of towards the end of April, carries on right through until early September, and is packed full of cool events, talks, exhibitions and activities. The headline names include Ray Davies, curator of Meltdown this year, and Tracey Emin who's having her first major survey show at the Hayward. A range of other big names are also involved to varying degrees. These include Heston Blumenthal, Billy Bragg, Stewart Lee, John Berger, Meera Syal and good old Tony Benn.
We're most excited though about the season of exhibitions curated by the wonderful Kaleid Editions. The project sees Kaleid enlist a series of interesting and innovative contemporary artists to respond to the works in the Saison Poetry Library, through a series of exhibitions, interventions, residencies, and other assorted events. Guaranteed to be amazing.
Click here for the full programme of events.
Click here to see all London exhibitions.
Click here for things to do in London.
Return to Spoonfed's London Art homepage.
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