Ocean Liners (Exhibition and Exhibition Catalogue)
- Submitting institution
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The University of East Anglia
- Unit of assessment
- 32 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
- Output identifier
- 186152826
- Type
- T - Other
- DOI
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- Location
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- Brief description of type
- Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
- Open access status
- -
- Month
- -
- Year
- 2017
- URL
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- Supplementary information
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- Request cross-referral to
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- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
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- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
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0
- Research group(s)
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- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- Ocean Liners: Speed and Style was an international, interdisciplinary research project, which included a publication and the first large-scale exhibition dedicated to all aspects of Ocean Liner design shown at the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Mass., USA, V&A South Kensington (2017), and it was the inaugural exhibition for V&A Dundee (2018). The principal research questions were:
-How and why advanced design movements shaped ocean liners?
-How did mass travelling publics experience modern art and design while on board?
• How did ocean liners inspire Modernist designers?
The project involved extensive empirical research into the material culture of ocean liners; locating, researching and presenting over 300 objects dispersed through public and private collections worldwide. Notably, the project reassembled numerous interiors and created installations with original objects that provided unique insights into the art and design of sea transport. A number of new areas of investigation were opened up e.g. what specific travellers chose to wear on board. The project also evidenced both the literal and metaphorical influence of liners on other cultural forms, and particularly on architecture, design, film and literature.
The research demonstrated how liner design reflected and responded to major historical themes and situations, including the promotion and servicing of Empire, nationalist politics and government, mass migration, shipbuilding and the industrial economy, and new technologies. Importantly, the project explored the role of liners as drivers of commerce and competition, and their function as tools of the state and weapons of war.
The research was disseminated through an extensive public engagement programme in all three venues to complement the exhibition and publication. The innovative exhibition design aimed at engaging new audiences and connecting visitors to personal histories and memories.
Evidence of the originality, significance and rigour of the research, and the modes of dissemination can be found in the portfolio.
- Author contribution statement
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- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
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