The enormous range of material brought together and an international flavour are what give strength to a vast retrospective organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum dedicated to the Arts and Crafts movement. A collection of three hundred objects (furniture, fabrics, ceramics, glass, jewellery, architecture, photographs and books in a display designed by Allies and Morrison) describe the history of the movement established in defence of the craftsman, from its beginnings in Great Britain at the end of the nineteenth century to its development in Europe, Russia, United States and Japan.

Alongside the exhibition is a packed programme of events, for example every Sunday students from schools of applied arts are invited to improvise being “craftsmen for a day”. Dressed as carpenters, plumbers or decorators they create new objects and models (3, 10, 17, 24 April). Taking a deeper look at the subject from a theoretical and philosophical point of view is a conference (22 and 23 April) with international historians and curators. E.S.

International Arts and Crafts
Until 24.7.2005
Victoria & Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, London
T +44-020-79422000
https://www.vam.ac.uk