York Festival of Ideas
Curiouser and Curiouser: Exploring the influence of art, design and architecture
In partnership with Channel Four
The York Festival of Ideas will celebrate the complex and sometimes surprising relationship between art, design, architecture and technology over the weekend of Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June. The weekend will be delivered in partnership with Channel 4 – one of the most innovative television companies in the world who have been staunch advocates of the public value of the arts.
Saturday 13 June
1.15pm - 2.15pm
Art Theft and Looting through History
Looting has often been a motivation for some of the major conflicts throughout history. In this talk art dealer Ivan Lindsay explores looting, from the Romans to the Nazis.
2.30pm - 3.30pm
Relics of the Reich: The Buildings the Nazis left behind
Many of the buildings and sites associated with the Nazis are still there but what has happened to them? Author Colin Philpott explores what these places tell us about Germany now.
4.00pm - 5.30pm
Alice in Wonderland 150 Years On: The story of Alice
Professor Robert Douglas-Fairhurst (Oxford) will be talking about his new book The Story of Alice: Lewis Carroll and the Secret History of Wonderland with Hugh Haughton, editor of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Dr James Williams.
Sunday 14 June
12.00pm - 1.00pm
Europe 1600-1815 in 1000 Objects
The V&A's lead curator gives a sneak-preview of the museum's new galleries on art and design in 17th and 18th century Europe - and explores the challenges of curating for a 21st century audience.
1.30pm - 3.00pm
Turner, Ruskin, and the Pre-Raphaelites on Screen
Two films released in the past year, Effie Gray and Mr Turner, dramatise the private lives of British artists. Join curators academics and authors as they explore how artists and artworlds of the 19th century are presented to the audiences of today.
3.15pm - 4.15pm
Future Cities: How will we live next?
What might your city look like in 2065? Imagining the city of the future has long been an inspiration for many architects, artists, and designers. In this talk Nick Dunn will explore what some of the emerging technologies and lifestyles may mean for our cities and us.
5.00pm - 6.15pm
Yorkshire Sculpture Park: Culture and well-being
Senior staff from Yorkshire Sculpture Park discuss how their work contributes to the wellbeing of culture, communities and individuals.
6.30pm - 7.30pm
Curating Savage Beauty: Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty is the first and largest retrospective of the designer's work to be presented in Europe. Join Claire Wilcox, Senior Curator at the V&A to hear more about this exciting exhibition.
Sunday 14 June: Exhibitions
12.00pm - 6.30pm
Channel 4: Random Acts
Random Acts is Channel 4’s short film strand dedicated to the arts. It was founded in 2011 to escape the conventions of arts broadcasting and to expand its possibilities.
We will be showing a selection of Past Random Acts film throughout the afternoon. We want to encourage creative practitioners of all kinds to use the screen as a canvas. The brief is deliberately broad: we’re after “bold expressions of creativity” and those could come from art, music, dance, animation, spoken word, performance, or some uncategorisable combination of the above. We will be showing a selection of past Random Acts film throughout the afternoon.
1.00pm - 6.00pm
Selling Exhibition: Secrets & Discoveries
Art and Creations from some of Yorkshire’s best galleries, artists and designers. Featuring: L’Atelier Natalia Willmott; Blossom Street Gallery; Charmian Ottaway jewellery; Julie-Ann Smith designs; Amanda Moon headwear; Sarah Knowles Jewellery & wall art; Emily Stubbs ceramics and more. Audiences will have the opportunity to browse and buy.
