V&A Virtual Members week


Delightful series of online events from the Victoria and Albert Museum, delivered daily by email, to mark what would have usually been their members week.

Due to a prior diary commitment I usually miss this week at the museum, so it was nice to get involved virtually this year. Each day a themed email was sent out with links to talks filmed in lockdown, videos and installation shots of old exhibitions, articles and short films about aspects of the collection. I really enjoyed the variety of formats. Monday looked at the history of the museum, Tuesday at watercolours to mark the cancellation of the Renaissance watercolours show, Wednesday was fashion, Thursday Rock, pop and performance and Friday looked at activities for and about children. 

My highlights were a fun talk on Victoria and Albert’s involvement with the museum and collection. It was just a sound recording of a lecture but delivered so wittily that you didn’t miss what were obviously, from the audience reaction, very amusing slides. It was interesting to hear a discussion about the plans for the refurbishment and relaunch of the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green and it was lovely to revisit some exhibitions I had loved such as the Dior and the Winnie the Pooh.

I think was favourite though were five videos on the Kimono exhibition what had been on as lockdown started. I had loved the show and it was nice to be walked round it by the curator and learn new things about it. It was a nice idea to break these up into 10 minute pieces as 50 minutes would have been a commitment to watch in one go.

I will certainly look out for this week’s virtual offering next year even if I still can’t go in person.


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