handbook for teachers 2007–2008media.vam.ac.uk/media/documents/legacy_documents/... · ming vase...

Handbook for Teachers 2007–2008

www.vam.ac.uk/schools

Call 020 7942 2211Email [email protected]

www.vam.ac.uk

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The V&A is the world’s greatest museum of art and design. It shows the best in contemporary creativity alongside the artistic traditions of many world cultures. It’s a fantastic cross-curricular resource and free to visit.

Use this handbook to find out about:• What your students can see

in the V&A • Free talks, workshops and events• Free teaching and learning resources

Book a visit this year and inspire your students’ creativity.

Welcome

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Exploring the V&A

The V&A is organised by four major themes: Asia, Europe, Materials & Techniques and Modern.

There are several galleries for each theme. The Europe, Asia and Modern galleries cover either a chronological period or a culture. These galleries include many different sorts of objects such as fashion, furniture, musical instruments, eating utensils and paintings. The Materials & Techniques galleries show objects of one material or type and enable students to explore making processes in detail.

There is also a full programme of temporary exhibitions as well as hands-on activities and discovery areas in many of the galleries, which may be of interest to school groups.

This guidebook is colour-coded. Use it with the V&A map to help you find the galleries, hands-on areas, study rooms and other facilities.

�Book a free visit – call 0�0 794� �� or email [email protected]

Exhibitions 2007–2008

Major shows

The Art of Lee Miller �5 September–�� January �008

The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London �947–57�� September– �0 January �008

China Design Now�5 March–6 July �008

Cold War Modern: Art and Design in a Divided World, �945–�9756 September �008– 4 January �009

Exhibitions

Out of the Ordinary: ��st Century Craft�� November– �0 February �008

Thomas Hope, Regency Patron: a Passion for the Antique� March–6 July �008

Fashion and Sport�9 July–�6 November �008Sponsored by ECCO Shoes

Visit www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions for more details.All information correct at time of going to print.

Strapless evening dress by Pierre Balmain, Paris, 1956

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China Level 1The T.T. Tsui GalleryObjects from about �00BC to the present. Displays are themed as follows: Burial, Temple and Worship, Living, Ruling, Eating and Drinking, Collecting. Highlights include dragon robes from the Imperial Court.

Videos and a glazed porcelain Ming vase and stone Buddha’s head to touch.

Islamic Middle East Level 1The Jameel GalleryIslamic objects from the Middle East including the Ardabil Carpet, carved ivories from Islamic Spain, inlaid metalwork from medieval Egypt, Iznik ceramics from Ottoman Turkey, tilework from �4th-century Uzbekistan and oil paintings from �9th-century Iran.

Videos, audio programmes, maps, interactive style guides, touch objects and gallery books.

Japan Level 1The Toshiba GalleryObjects from the 6th-century to the present, including samurai armour, swords, kimonos and dress accessories, tea ceremony utensils, woodblock prints, ceramics, metalwork, examples of games and pastimes and contemporary crafts.

Korea Level 1The Samsung GalleryHistoric ceramics, metalwork, furniture, textiles and contemporary Korean design.

Videos and a porcelain vase to touch.

South Asia Level 1The Nehru GalleryArt, craft and design from the Indian subcontinent �550–�900, illustrating the achievements of the Mughal, Rajput and Deccani courts and the building of an empire. The displays also explore India’s close connections with Europe and its history under British rule.

South Asia Sculpture Level 1Sculpture from the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist traditions �00Bc–AD �500.

South East Asia Level 1Hindu and Buddhist sculpture and decorative arts – from Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, displayed by geographic region. Himalayan Buddhist art from Tibet and Nepal is displayed nearby.

Figure of a Tomb Guardian, China, AD 616–908

Asia

Book a free visit – call 0�0 794� �� or email [email protected]

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Washstand designed by William Burgess, England, 1880


Europe

British Galleries Levels 2 & 4British art and design from the Tudors to the Victorians including five restored period rooms and work by leading designers and manufacturers of the times including Chippendale, Morris, Mackintosh, Wedgwood and Liberty.

Victorian Discovery Area – try on a crinoline, make a bookplate and build the Crystal Palace. 18th-Century Discovery Area – construct a chair, guess the mystery object and design a frame. Tudor Discovery Area – have a go at tapestry weaving and try on an armour gauntlet. Film theatres – films include Victorian Life, A Day at the Great Exhibition, Britain and Abroad. Clore Study Areas – computer interactives for exploring design styles and objects in detail.

Sculpture Level 1The Dorothy and Michael Hintze GalleriesThese galleries house a chronological display of sculpture made in Britain or collected by British patrons between �600–�950, and include themes such as ‘the human body’ and ‘works made for gardens’.

Cast Courts Level 1Full-size plaster-cast replicas of some of Europe’s most outstanding figurative and architectural sculptures including Michelangelo’s David and the incredible Trajan’s Column.

Europe and America Level 3 Objects from Europe, mainly France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands �600–�900, and American art and design �800–�900.

Medieval & Renaissance Levels 1 & 3FuturePlan: the new Medieval & Renaissance galleries open in autumn �009. Until then, some objects are on display in rooms ��, �7–�0, �5–�7 and 46. In room ��7 there is a temporary display of highlights from the Medieval and Renaissance collection, including work by some of the greatest sculptors of the period such as Michelangelo, Benvenuto Cellini and Giambologna.

Raphael Level 1Seven enormous full-scale designs for tapestries by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael.

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Architecture Level 4Architectural models, drawings, designs, material samples and building fragments. Learn about the history and styles of architecture, the functions of buildings, the design process, materials used in construction, the impact of climate on design and the development of public space. More can be seen in the Prints & Drawings Study Room and RIBA Architecture Study Rooms (see page 9).

Interactive style-guides and touch objects, plus audios and videos, including a film about Trafalgar Square.

Fashion Level 1Fashionable dress from the �8th-century to the present day with an emphasis on progressive and influential designsers from the major fashion centres of Europe.

Paintings Level 3The Edwin and Susan Davies GalleryThe International Music and Art Foundation GalleryWatercolours, pastels and oil paintings including work by Constable, Turner and Gainsborough plus a fascinating collection of �40 portrait miniatures.

Touch objects include a facsimile of Constable’s sketchbook, painting tools and materials.

Glass Level 4The Märit Rausing GalleryGlass objects from ancient times to the ��st-century from all around the world.

Ceramics Level 6FuturePlan: Ceramics, Rooms ��–�45 are closed for major redevelopment and will reopen in September �009.

Photography Level 1Documentary and art photographs, from early �9th-century prints to contemporary photography, including works by leading international photographers. Further work can be seen in the Prints & Drawings Study Room (see page 9).

Architectural Model – Wealden House, East Grinstead, West Sussex, from the RIBA Library Drawings Collection.

Materials & Techniques


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Prints and Drawings Level 3 The Julie and Robert Breckman GalleryChanging displays of highlights from the V&A’s collections. The majority of the collection can be seen in the Prints and Drawings Study Room (see page 9).

Metalwork Level 3The Whiteley Galleries The Belinda Gentle Gallery This spread of galleries houses a collection of international importance, including the National Collection of English Silver, silver from across the world, ironwork from large scale architectural pieces to intricate locks and keys and displays of brass, pewter and cutlery.

Two computer interactives, touch objects, make your own silver hallmarks and explore x-rays.

Sacred Silver and Stained Glass Level 3 The Whiteley Galleries Christian and Jewish silver for worship plus comprehensive examples of stained glass from medieval to contemporary.

Stained glass to touch, computer interactives, audio descriptions, a video on making stained glass and large print label books.

Musical Instruments Level 3Western musical instruments comprising about sixty keyboard instruments, ranging from a harpsichord dated �5�� to an octave spinet by Robert Goble dated �950.

Sculpture Level 3The Gilbert Bayes GalleryAn illustration of the rich diversity of materials and wide variety of techniques that sculptors have used, from early medieval ivories to modern bronzes.

Touch objects include glazed terracotta, bronze, carved marble and semi-precious materials. Videos on lost wax bronze casting and painted wood sculpture.

Textiles Level 3Historical textiles in a wide range of techniques including weaving, embroidery, printing, lace and tapestry.

Jewellery Level 3The William and Judith Bollinger GalleryFutureplan: Jewellery is currently closed – it is due to open in Summer �008 with new displays.


Glass sculpture ‘A Captive Audience?’ by David Reekie, Britain, 2000

8 Book a free visit – call 0�0 794� �� or email [email protected]

Modern

20th-Century Level 3Art and design for the home and everyday life including furniture, textiles, tableware, ceramics, glassware, sculpture, posters, advertising and packaging, radios and electrical lighting, organised under the following themes: mass-manufacture, limited-edition and hand-made.

Audio, design a room and guess how an object is made.

ContemporaryArt and design made in the last few decades can be seen in �0th-Century, and in other galleries such as Korea, Architecture, Glass, Textiles, Fashion and Photography. There are regular exhibitions of contemporary art and design and an extensive programme of events, including the Fashion in Motion catwalk event and Friday Late.

Kettle designed by Michael Graves for Alessi, Italy, 1985

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Study Rooms

In addition to the galleries, the V&A has study rooms where collections can be viewed at close hand. The collections can provide a wide range of original source and study material supporting many areas of the curriculum. Teachers are very welcome to use the facilities on offer both for private study and for group visits. For details of how to book a visit, see Essential Information (page ��).

Prints and Drawings Study Room and RIBA Architecture Study Rooms Level 4Over one million objects, mostly works on paper, can be viewed in these rooms. To browse from the online catalogue of the prints, drawings, paintings and photography collections visit http://www�.micromediauk.net

The range of material available in the study rooms is vast and includes:

Prints – art prints, social history prints, fashion plates, posters, wallpapers, packaging, greetings cards, advertising, book illustrations.

Drawings – Old Master drawings, British drawing and illustration including drawings by sculptors, illuminated manuscripts, artists’ sketch books.

Designs – textile, interiors, costume and set design for the theatre, furniture, metalwork, product design, fashion design and graphic design.

Photographs – documentary and art photographs from early �9th-century prints to contemporary experimental photography.

Architecture – drawings and manuscripts from the RIBA’s drawings, manuscripts and archives collections as well as the V&A’s collections of architectural drawings, photographs and archives. It represents every major British architect from the late �6th-century to the present day and contains the national collection of British architecture.

To make it easy for groups to use these facilities, original items from a number of popular topics have been chosen for themed resource boxes. Teachers can select from these boxes and book our education room to view them with groups. Visit www.vam.ac.uk/resourceboxes and see page �� for details of how to book.

A school workshop


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Programmes & Resources


ProgrammesVisit www.vam.ac.uk/schools for more information about our schools service including:• Free Talks, workshops

and events• Professional development for

teachers including private views of exhibitions

Learning and Teaching ResourcesVisit our website for extensive resources for use pre- and post-visit. Highlights include:

www.vam.ac.uk/schools – information about planning a visit and teaching and learning resources.

www.vam.ac.uk/collections – information about all the objects in the V&A.

www.vam.ac.uk/searchthecollections – access images and information about objects in the collections. This is an ideal classroom tool for use with a whiteboard.

www.vam.ac.uk/collections/periods_styles – explore different styles and periods of art and design.

National Art LibraryThe V&A houses the National Art Library, one of Europe’s major resources for the study of art and design. It is a public reference library and open to all.

The library’s strength lies in the range and depth of its holdings of documentary material concerning the fine and decorative arts of many countries and periods. Full details about the Library and access to the online catalogue can be found at www.vam. ac.uk/nal The range of material includes:

Books – a reference collection of approximately one million titles on art and design, architecture and related subjects. Also books kept for their appearance such as binding, book jacket, illustrations, typography, layout and design.

Children’s books – over �00,000 books for children dating from the late sixteenth century to the present day.

Magazines and journals – approximately �,000 contemporary titles relating to art and design, fashion and architecture and 8,000 historic titles.

Manuscripts – material from medieval manuscripts to letter manuscripts relating to artists and designers and literary manuscripts including Charles Dickens’ hand-written drafts.

Comics and graphic novels – examples from North America, Europe and Japan.

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How to BookAdmissionAdmission to the V&A is free, but all school or college groups must pre-book with at least �0 days’ notice. Talks, workshops and exhibitions are very popular – at least three weeks’ notice is required. Call 0�0 794� ��.

Lunchroom and CloakroomOur lunchroom is located in the Groups Reception area, below the Exhibition Road entrance, near the Tunnel entrance. Tables can be booked for half-hour slots.

Reservations must be made at the same time as your visit booking.

The cloakroom is also located in the Groups Reception area.

FuturePlan: The V&A is opening the new Sackler Centre for arts education at the V&A in spring �008. This will include a greatly expanded lunchroom and lockers for groups. See www.vam.ac.uk for the latest information.

Student: Teacher ratioThe V&A requires at least � teacher for every �5 students. A qualified teacher must accompany groups for taught sessions.

Prints & Drawings Study Room and RIBA Architecture Study RoomsBefore bringing a group, you can select your own material from our online catalogue www.�micromedia.net or to choose one of our themed Resource Boxes visit www.vam.ac.uk/resourceboxes. Group visits to the study rooms and accompanying resources must be pre-booked directly – call 0�0 794� ��. Our education room can accommodate a maximum of �5 people at one time. Students must be accompanied by a teacher.

Planning your visitMake a preparatory visit to try out activities and familiarise yourself with the location of galleries, hands-on areas and facilities. See www.vam.ac.uk/schools for planning guidelines to help you. Teachers wishing to plan a group visit to an exhibition may visit the exhibition for free, by showing evidence of professional status on the door.

The V&A is currently undergoing a dramatic programme of renewal and restoration, called FuturePlan. Over the next few years, new galleries and facilities will be opened and others will be closed for refurbishment. If you want to see a specific gallery or object, please double-check it will be available when you book.

Essential Information


How to reach the V&AV&A MuseumCromwell RoadSouth KensingtonLondon Sw7 �RL

School groups should use the Exhibition Road entrance or the Tunnel entrance from South Kensington Underground station. Once inside, head for Groups Reception.

South Kensington

Buses: C�, �4, 4�4 and 74 stop outside the Cromwell Road entrance.

Schools in the Greater London Authority Area can apply for free public transport when making visits to museums within the GLA. For more information and to apply online visit www.tfl.gov.uk/schoolparty

Exhibitions and events are very occasionally subject to change without warning. Please check in advance if visiting the V&A for a specific exhibition or event. Al

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Handbook for Teachers 2007–2008

www.vam.ac.uk/schools

Call 020 7942 2211Email [email protected]

www.vam.ac.uk

handbook for teachers 2007–2008media.vam.ac.uk/media/documents/legacy_documents/... · ming vase...

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