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This
is Tomorrow 1956
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This
is Tomorrow has become an iconic exhibition notable not only
for the arrival of the naming of Pop Art but also as a captured
moment for the multi-disciplinary merging of the disciplines of
art and architecture
"In 'This is Tomorrow' the visitor is exposed to space
effects, play with signs, a wide range of materials and structures,
which, taken together make of art and architecture a many chanelled
activity, as far from ideal standards as the street outside".
--- Lawrence ALLOWAY, introduction, Exhibition Catalogue
From:
"orthodox abstract art, with its classical regularity and
rational order, through room-size sculptures to walk through,
to crazy-house structures plastered with pin-up images from the
popular press." --- press release, This is Tomorrow 1956
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This
exhibition emerged from the INDEPENDENT GROUP which started in 1953
and was a platform to present ideas to the public at the INSTITUTE
OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS, London.
The
Independent Group's belief was that "everything is eclectic,
there is no culture, it is what we receive, what we decide, what
we choose, and it's our responsibility to choose." --- Roger
COLEMAN
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The
exhibition was organized by Theo CROSBY (below), Reyner BANHAM
(below left), Lawrence ALLOWAY (left) and other members from the
Independent Group.
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"Theo
Crosby, editor of ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN magazine, was involved
in a congress in Paris around 1954, where the idea was presented
that architects, painters and sculptors should get together. He
organised a meeting and told us, 'We must form groups, so go
away and talk amongst yourselves, and decide who you want to work
with.''" --- Richard HAMILTON
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Richard
HAMILTON's collage, JUST WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES TODAY'S HOMES SO
DIFFERENT, SO APPEALING? was a poster design for the exhibition
and
tabulated the emergent Pop iconography ---
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THIS
IS TOMORROW : 12
TEAMS consisting of an ARTIST - ARCHITECT - DESIGNER / MUSICIAN
/ ENGINEER /CRITIC
Each
team constructed a display that reflected in some way their view
of the contemporary environment.
The
competition between the displays was constructed with the intention
of evoking the variety of the external environment.
The
displays varied from purely architectural structures; to communications
and information theory; to collections of symbols of popular culture.
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CLICK
on team for details
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| team
1. |
Theo Crosby, William Turnbull, Germano Facetti, Edward Wright. |
| team
2. |
Richard
Hamilton, John McHale, John Voelker. |
| team
3. |
J.D.H.
Catleugh, James Hull, Leslie Thornton.
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| team
4. |
Anthony
Jackson, Sarah Jackson, Emilio Scanavino.
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| team
5. |
John
Ernest, Anthony Hill, Denis Williams. |
| team
6. |
Eduardo
Paolozzi, Alison and Peter Smithson, Nigel Henderson. |
| team
7. |
Victor
Pasmore, Erno Goldfinger, Helen Phillips. |
| team
8. |
James
Stirling, Michael Pine, Richard Matthews. |
| team
9. |
Mary
Martin, John Weeks, Kenneth Martin.
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| team
10. |
Robert
Adams, Frank Newby, Peter Carter, Colin St.John Wilson. |
| team
11. |
Adrian Heath, John Weeks. |
| team
12. |
Lawrence
Alloway, Geoffery Holroyd, Tony del Renzio. |
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