Don’t miss the Stanley Kubrick Exhibition, The Design Museum Kensington!
“The point I want to make is that the film has been accepted as a work of art and no work of art has ever done social harm, though a great deal of social harm has been done by those who have sought to protect society against works of art which they regarded as dangerous”. Kubrick.
On until 15th September this exhibition embraces the vast impact Kubrick films made and continue to make on the public worldwide, and coincides with the 20th anniversary of his death. Of course, he was probably most famous for “A Clockwork Orange” – (taken from the novel by Anthony Burgess) controversial enough to be withheld from circulation for some time but now available to view again. Spielberg is one of his biggest fans who knows the ins and outs and immense amount of work to not only bring a feature to our screens, but make it extra skilful and extra special. When you visit, you can relive key scenes from The Shining (1980) Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and “A Clockwork Orange”. Other memorable films Kubrick is famous for include “Full Metal Jacket”, “The Shining”, “Barry Lyndon”, “Lolita” and “A Space Odyssey”.
There are important works from designers from Diane Arbus and Don McCullin to Hardy Amies and Milena Canonero. The spread of camera lenses and equipment is stunning and the photograph of Kubrick on a camera crane during filming of another of his films “Spartacus” in Spain shows the incredible heights and extents a Director will go to to achieve the best effect for his viewers and audience. He is pictured many yards from the ground in a lofty position looking down on proceedings seemingly very precariously (pictured).
“Day of the Fight” was his first film in 1951 using rented equipment. It is about Walter Carter who was a boxing champion during WW2, swiftly followed by his second film, “Flying Padre” about a Christian man who used a light aircraft to keep in touch with his parishioners across New Mexico. His first feature used borrowed money – “Fear and Desire” and then the stylish noir, “Killer’s Kiss”. “The Killing” (1956) was Kubrick’s first film made in partnership with producer James B Harris.
You can see a collection of Clapper boards (pictured) for six of Kubrick’s films which if closely studied details the amount of takes and the names of the cameramen for different ones. From the iconic “Eyes Wide Shut” film there is a collection of Venetian masks (pictured).
As you walk into the ground floor exhibition you are met with clips from some of Kubrick’s most famous films including “Dr Strangelove” starring Peter Sellers which was filmed entirely in black and white. As a visit you will walk on a replica carpet from a scene in “The Shining” before entering a one point perspective corridor mirroring Kubrick’s famous camera technique. Part of Spielberg’s huge admiration for Kubrick includes the comment, “Stanley was a chameleon with the astonishing ability to reinvent himself with each new story he told”. Kubrick was anything but mundane, breaking new ground, making the eccentric acceptable and welcome viewing, choosing actors and actresses who could stun and enchant their audience and playing with one emotions at every twist and turn.
The entire exhibition, with specialist advisor Alan Yentob, features around 700 objects films and interviews showing how Kubrick was just as much an inventor as a filmmaker.
Open daily 10 am to 6 pm. Check website for further details.
ENJOY
Penny Nair Price