Building Utopia

The Barbican Centre

Nicholas Kenyon, Nicholas Kenyon

$75

Hardback

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English

Batsford
12 August 2022

Art & Architecture; Architecture; Theatre Studies

A sumptuous celebration of London's internationally famous Barbican Arts Centre for the 40th anniversary of its opening in 1982.

A beautifully designed celebration of the 40th birthday of the Barbican Arts Centre, in the heart of the City of London. It is the largest multi-arts centre in Europe, encompassing an art gallery, theatres, concert halls, cinemas and a much-loved conservatory, and regular collaborators include the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Compiled by the Barbican's managing director Sir Nicholas Kenyon, this is an indepth exploration of the centre, drawing on the vast array of material available in its archives, much of which has never been seen before. It includes plans and photographs from the centre's design and construction, original signage and branding, and brochures and programmes. All this is accompanied by a wealth of photographs of the huge range of performances and exhibitions that have taken place over the years, from early RSC performances to the popular Rain Room installation of 2012 to today's impressive programme of events put together in conjunction with schools and the local community. The book's authoritative and evocative text includes:

Foreword by Fiona Shaw Introduction by Sir Nicholas Kenyon Cultural historian Robert Hewison on how the centre came into being Architectural historian Elain Harwood on its architecture Music critic Fiona Maddocks on music Writer and theatre critic Lyn Gardner on theatre Editor and creative director Tony Chambers on visual art Author and film critic Sukhdev Sandhu on film

With listings of Barbican events from 1982 to the present day, and snippets of oral history from some of the many people associated with the centre over the years, this sumptuous book is an invaluable companion to one of the world's most important cultural spaces.

By: Nicholas Kenyon
Edited by: Nicholas Kenyon
Imprint: Batsford
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 280mm, Width: 210mm,
Weight: 1.520kg
ISBN: 9781849946810
ISBN 10: 1849946817
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 12 August 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Sir Nicholas Kenyon is the managing director of the Barbican Arts Centre. He is a former Controller of BBC Radio 3 and Director of the BBC Proms, and has been a music critic for The New Yorker, The Times and The Observer.

Reviews for Building Utopia: The Barbican Centre

'A visual delight' -- Helen Barrett * Spectator * 'A thoughtful take on the radical vision that its architects laid out for the culture and the arts' * Monocle * '[A] beautiful mix of illustration and photography, which captures the story of the [Barbican]'. * Mr Porter * 'A massive, lavish book' * Tribune *