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Hi Alastair,
I thought I would drop you
a line to let you know how the exhibition was developing.
Everyone involved is very
excited as it is shaping up to be a very significant display of tartan
artefacts, probably the most extensive exhibition on this subject ever
produced. Tim Pethick of
Tim Pethick
Designs and the Scottish Tartans Authority have negotiated loans of
artefacts from major UK and Italian institutions including the National
Museums of Scotland, the Museum of London, The Royal Collection and the
West Highland Museum - in total there are sixty or so items on display.
They have also negotiated
reproduction rights for some fifty or so images from such diverse sources
as the National Galleries of Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland,
Lichfield Studio, Dolce & Gabanna, the Imperial War Museum, the British
Museum and Thames & Hudson. There is already a great deal of interest in
the exhibition and it has been suggested that the display could move to
the V&A (Victoria and Albert), and perhaps the Smithsonian in Washington
for Tartan Day 2005. There has also been a suggestion that the exhibition
could form part of the UK/France Alliance celebrations next summer in
Paris. In its scope I believe that Tartan: A Romantic Tradition reaches
further than the tartan exhibition curated by Hugh Cheape in New York &
Edinburgh. The exhibition framework is, as you know, strikingly
contemporary and is brought bang up to date with a Catwalk incorporating
design work from fashion students alongside Vivienne Westwood. There are
in total twelve full dressed figures in the displays.
With just a week to go
until the opening of the exhibition in Prato on 13th December (public
opening on 14th) we are working hard to complete the graphic design, all
of which is produced in English and Italian of equal balance. The opening
is shaping up to be a very significant event, with guests attending from
across Italy and further afield in Europe.
Best wishes,
Blair Urquhart
HOUSE of TARTAN
http://houseoftartan.co.uk |
