Saturday 12th November
A SPECIAL INTEREST MORNING
Two talks with Rachel Kolsky (a prize-winning London Blue Badge Tourist Guide) – 9.30 am registration, morning finishes at 12.30 pm, coffee break at 11.00 am. Tickets £17.50, non-members welcome.
‘A Tonic for the Nation’: The Festival of Britain 1951
Exciting and futuristic, the Festival of Britain brought fun and colour to post-war austerity London with its Skylon, Dome of Discovery, Battersea Pleasure Gardens, an iconic logo and specially commissioned artworks from emerging artists and sculptors, yet to be household names. Fabulous memories remain particularly at the Royal Festival Hall, the South Bank and the Lansbury Housing Estate in Poplar.
Wonderful Waterloo
Following its amazing early 20th century transformation, Waterloo was once described as being for ‘a better class of commuter’ and this talk provides an opportunity to hear the stories behind not one but seven stations and from one, The Station of the Dead, there were no return journeys! Discover the hidden
histories of the News Cinema, TV Lounge and luxury restaurants, relive iconic film locations and discover artworks and memorials linked to the Festival of Britain, the Cans Festival and military campaigns including the iconic Victory Arch.
Wednesday 23rd November
THE DOWAGER EMPRESS CIXI – RULING FROM BEHIND THE YELLOW SCREEN
with David Rosier
This talk will explore the events that led to her confirmation as Dowager empress CIXI in 1861. It will trace the distinct cycles of CIXI’s power, as Emperors came and went, whilst the dowager Empress moved periodically from a position of influence to full authority and then into times of enforced retirement.
It looks beyond CIXI’s desire to force China into the modern world, gaining an insight into her life within her beloved Summer Palace: a focus on her passion for painting, embroidery, fashion design and the extensive gardens. A location where CIXI forged some extraordinarily close relationships with leading western women.
Non-members are welcome to join us at a talk as a guest. No commitment, but a donation is appreciated. Please contact:
Registered Charity no. 1142228
www.theartssocietycranleigh.org
