Eagerly awaited exhibition officially opens on 22 May and charts the book’s evolution from manuscript to global phenomenon through 300 objects.
Having been delayed by the pandemic last year, the V&A will finally open the doors of its eagerly anticipated Alice in Wonderland exhibition this week.
Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser opens on 22 May and will run through until 31 December.
Described as one of the museum’s ‘most ambitious’ exhibitions, it will take visitors on an immersive and fantastical journey down the rabbit hole across five Alice-inspired worlds spanning film, performance, fashion, art, music and photography, reported Fashion United.
It delves into the origins, adaptations and reinventions of Alice in Wonderland over 158 years, charting the book’s evolution from manuscript through to global phenomenon through 300 objects.
As well as ‘otherworldly’ experiences shaped by theatrical sets, immersive environments and playful displays, the exhibition will also include the museum’s first virtual reality experience. This will see visitors enter the Queen of Hearts’ croquet ground to pit their wits in ‘A Curious Game of Croquet’.
“This is the first exhibition to look at the impact and influence of Alice across disciplines, and we will provide visitors with a dynamic theatrical experience, transporting them through space, time and scale into a series of different encounters and dimensions, inspired by the books through Alice’s adventurous journey,” said Kate Bailey, senior curator of theatre and performance at the V&A.
“We also consider why creative minds turn to Alice as a source of inspiration. Exploring the context of the book’s creation and unpicking how its themes and philosophical ideas are still so relevant today in five sections, each with a distinct theatrical setting, showing how the original text has been reimagined and reinterpreted by each generation, and how it permeates culture, politics and society.”
There will also be a host of merchandise in a dedicated gift shop ranging from postcards, tote bags, t-shirts and keyrings, through to a Tatty Devine jewellery range, limited edition prints, mugs, greeting cards and special commissioned artwork among others.
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