Right now, I don’t think I’ve ever been more drawn to bright colours in my whole life. Anything but that grey please! If you’re in need of some colour therapy and are a fan of Lewis Carrol’s Alice books (I used to listen to the story on cassette tape repeatedly when I was a kid), I’d recommend checking out the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Alice – Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition. This, I guarantee, is a rabbit hole worth diving into, not one with dark and depressing theories on the web. It’s big, it’s bright and it’s very colourful. Just what we need to bring some sunshine into our scattered lives.
Exploring its origins, adaptations and reinventions over 157 years, this immersive and theatrical show charts the evolution of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland from manuscript to a global phenomenon beloved by children and adults alike. Quite the cultural and style icon, Alice has made a strong impact across art forms. Spanning art, film, performance, fashion, and photography, this exhibition brings scenes from the books to life, like the Mad Hatter’s tea party and the hall of mirrors – both visual delights. It shows us the grip that Alice has had on our imaginations and on creatives, what with the costumes and dresses inspired by Carroll.
This exhibition has many intriguing and fascinating elements which bring in contributions from the subconscious and the horizons beyond everyday art.
One of the most surprising and enjoyable exhibits is “The Infinity Dress and Omniverse Sculpture”. The collaboration between fashion designer Iris van Herpen and sculptor Anthony Howe explores and incorporates the kinetic dimensions of physics and design and makes one aware of the wonders of the art meeting science or vice versa.
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-infinity-dress-by-iris-van-herpen
I didn’t realise just how much Lewis Carroll’s stories have inspired the most creative minds over 150 years!
Get tickets here: https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/alice-curiouser-and-curiouser
Reviewed by Julia Nelson, a member of the Abundant Art Team, leading our PR and generously contributing to our ‘Reviews’!
