A beautifully designed celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Barbican Arts Centre, in the heart of London. It is the largest multi-arts centre in Europe, encompassing an art gallery, theatres, concert halls, cinemas and a much-loved conservatory, with regular collaborators including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Compiled by the Barbican’s Managing Director, Sir Nicholas Kenyon, this is an in-depth exploration of the centre, drawing on the extensive range of material held in its archives, much of which has never been seen before. It includes plans and photographs documenting the design and construction of the centre, original signage and branding, as well as brochures and programmes. All of this is accompanied by a wealth of photographs documenting the wide range of performances and exhibitions that have taken place over the years, from the RSC’s earliest performances to the popular 2012 installation Rain Room and the impressive current programme of events created in collaboration with schools and the local community.