A Year at the Barbican
Season Review 2016/17
Sadiq Khan,
Mayor of London:
‘The Barbican encompasses so much of what is great about London – it’s bold, international, innovative and outward looking. Whether bringing the best of the world’s arts to our doorstep or taking its programme to communities in its neighbouring boroughs, for the past 35 years the Barbican has played a huge role in ensuring London is a world leader in arts and culture’
3,800 events across dance, film, music, theatre and visual arts
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1.1 million attendances
September 2017
Terry Riley with the London Contemporary Orchestra
This was a rare chance to hear pioneering minimalist composer Terry Riley participate in a performance of his most celebrated work In C (1964). The piece was performed in collaboration with the London Contemporary Orchestra, with whom Riley first collaborated at the Barbican in 2015.
‘The climax, a wild variation in volume, saw the piece finish abruptly, leaving, for the briefest of moments before the ovation, a real sensation of peace'
I saw Terry Riley perform 'In C' at the Barbican last Saturday. Absolutely astonishing.
— Richard Skinner (@RichardNSkinner) September 28, 2016
October 2017
to a simple,
rock 'n' roll . . .
song.
Barbican Artistic Associate Michael Clark Company paid tribute to Erik Satie, Patti Smith and David Bowie in this triple bill of arresting choreography, which premiered at the Barbican and was nominated for an Olivier Award.
‘A triptych of abstract dances that look fantastic, sound terrific and knocked me sideways... a very special evening’ ★★★★★
Utterly speechless after watching "to a simple, rock ’n’ roll . . . song" by The Michael Clark Company at @BarbicanCentre . Incredible! pic.twitter.com/ktHLBdsazk
— Charles Newsam (@CharlesNewsam) October 6, 2016
Young Barbican
Our Young Barbican membership scheme continued to go from strength to strength. We ended the year with a total of 42,634 members aged 14–25
November 2016
The Vulgar: Fashion Redefined
Conceived by exhibition-maker Judith Clark and psychoanalyst Adam Phillips, this was the first show to consider the challenging but compelling territory of taste. Encompassing a 500 year timeframe, The Vulgar showcased historic works alongside contemporary designers such as Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood.
‘Dazzling and delightfully subversive’
Just had a preview of @BarbicanCentre's "The Vulgar" exhibition. Amazing. No one does fashion exhibitions like Barbican. pic.twitter.com/vArEzhWiVK
— Samuel Spencer (@s_spencerwrites) October 12, 2016
December 2016
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam
This was Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam’s third International Associate residency at the Barbican and the orchestra’s first London appearance with its new Chief Conductor Daniele Gatti. The opening concert featured Franco-Russian music, while the second celebrated late-Romantic German repertoire.
‘This was a challenging and thoughtful programme that Gatti, conducting entirely from memory, obviously knew inside out, and to which this superlative orchestra is ideally suited’ ★★★★★
saw Batiashvili at the Barbican with the Concertgebouw and Gatti just a couple of weeks ago. Remarkable!!!
— Teresa Guerreiro (@TeresaGuerreir2) December 31, 2016
ScreenTalks Archive
We launched a digital archive sharing some of the rarely heard audio from our popular ScreenTalks programme. The podcasts have been listened to over 16,000 times
Listen
January 2017
Blak Whyte Gray
Fuelled by an emotional energy, Boy Blue Entertainment’s Blak Whyte Gray paired hip hop dance styles with music and moves evoking Africa. Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy and Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante revealed a different side to their company’s personality with a piece that gives expression to experiences of contemporary life.
‘There’s a spareness about it – a sense of intensely distilled feeling, of dance cut to its essence – that you only rarely encounter’ ★★★★★
I've never had a show challenge my perspective like this @BoyBlueEnt #BlakWhyteGray @BarbicanCentre @KenrickH2o
— Alison (@AliGroovez) January 17, 2017
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4,548 under-fives and their parents/carers enjoyed imaginative child-led play at 95 Barbican Blocks sessions
February 2017
Richard Mosse: Incoming
Conceptual documentary photographer and Deutsche Börse Photography Prize-winner Richard Mosse created an immersive, multi-channel video installation in The Curve about the refugee crisis unfolding in locations including the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Libya, in Syria, the Sahara and the Persian Gulf.
‘There’s two things you need to know about this show. One: it will make you rethink the European refugee crisis. And two: it contains some of the most beautiful images you will see in a gallery this year. Or ever’ ★★★★★
Stunned by Richard Mosse 'Incoming' today at @BarbicanCentre. The Curve always delivers pic.twitter.com/WPwSopBzD5
— Ross Olivey (@LateMisterRoss) April 1, 2017
Barbican Guildhall
Creative Learning
reached almost 80,000 people
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March 2017
Room 29: Jarvis Cocker and Chilly Gonzales
This was the UK premiere of a multimedia song cycle devised and performed by Jarvis Cocker and Chilly Gonzales about the goings-on in Room 29 of the Château Marmont hotel in Hollywood. It featured clips from classic Hollywood movies, live dance and audience participation
‘Part gig, part immersive theatre and entirely impeccable’ ★★★★
Witnessed a work of art last night at the Barbican, from Mr Cocker and @chillygonzales
— Thomas James Butler (@TJBCollage) March 24, 2017
Take a bow everybody involved. #room29
35 years of the Barbican
On 3 March 2017, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the opening of the Barbican. To mark the occasion, we launched a digital collection of 35 of the Barbican’s cultural ‘firsts’ from the last three and a half decades, accompanied by a short essay from musician and broadcaster Cerys Matthews on the power of art.
Read '35 Years of Firsts': barbican.org.uk/barbicanat35
‘The Barbican has raised the game for all who work in British theatre, welcoming and supporting British artists and inviting the best of the best from the international world. Its ambition and passion make it the most important institution for international theatre in the country. Happy 35th birthday Barbican … and many great years ahead!’
Barbican was the first place in London I felt at home, my go-to when I needed space and inspiration. Happy birthday to this wonderful gem.
— Sochi (@Thealex09) March 3, 2017
‘The Barbican has been a major presenter of my music in London for many years. Recently they mounted a series of first-rate concerts in honour of my 80th birthday, and so it gives me great pleasure to congratulate them on becoming 35. It is a venue where audiences get to experience an extraordinary variety of performances, and I wish them continued and well deserved success far into the future’
Happy birthday @BarbicanCentre 💫💫 you've shown me performances that have changed my LIFE! 👏❤ #Barbican35 https://t.co/RiCyyb7r5W
— L A L L I E (@lisalicex) March 3, 2017
Photo: Panoramic view from above the Barbican Centre (February 1982) © Peter Bloomfield
April 2017
What London Watches: Ten Films That Shook Our World
What London Watches was a season of films chosen by the public after the Barbican invited Londoners to select the film they found personally important and inspiring. Opening with Cabaret, the season included a rare, on-screen portrayal of life from the perspective of four African-American women in 1990s LA; Bollywood blockbuster Sholay; and Charlie Chaplin’s first ‘talkie‘.
'A new season at the Barbican is screening favourite films chosen by a random selection of Londoners ... ‘Sholay’ has it all – epic fight scenes, bromance, humour, memorable songs ...’
Read the stories behind London's chosen films: barbican.org.uk/whatlondonwatches
No, you don't have to be a Londoner to appreciate this list! Some wonderful films to tick off your list. https://t.co/52hrnN0ON3
— Peccadillo Pictures (@peccapics) February 10, 2017
Sound Unbound 2017
With short concerts and events across the Barbican Centre, the weekend long event invited audiences to explore sounds from medieval to modern, in a relaxed festival environment.
The weekend was attended by 3,000 people, 54 per cent of whom had never booked with the Barbican before.
May 2017
Barbican/Toneelgroep Amsterdam – Obsession
Ivo van Hove directed a new stage adaptation of Luchino Visconti’s penetrating social drama about an ill-fated love affair. Featuring a company of Dutch and British actors led by Jude Law, the play premiered at the Barbican before embarking on a European tour.
‘Beautifully acted by all ... it is imaginative, alienating and strangely compelling theatre’ ★★★★
#obsessed with Obsession at @BarbicanCentre last night - One of the most beautiful pieces of theatre I've ever seen. Van Hove is a genius!
— Angus Woodward (@AngusWoodward) May 13, 2017
1,899 artists from 61 nations worked with us
As part of the Barbican's foyer commissions, supporting artist innovation, the Barbican commissioned Zarah Hussain’s Numina – a site-specific, sculptural installation in collaboration with Guildhall School students
Numina combined designs found in the art of the Islamic world with contemporary digital arts, winning a Lumen Prize Award, the leading international prize for digital artwork.
June 2017
The Japanese House: Architecture and Life after 1945
This was the first major UK exhibition to focus on Japanese domestic architecture from the end of the Second World War to now. At the heart of the exhibition, which featured over 40 architects, was a full-size recreation of the Moriyama House (2005) by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Ryue Nishizawa (SANAA).
‘Being able to walk through this house-cum-hamlet brings it to life in a way that a blueprint never could and represents a sea change from the sketches and small models usually found in architectural exhibitions, although there are plenty of those too. It shows a remarkable ambition by the Barbican that pays off in spades.’
The Japanese House exhibition at @BarbicanCentre - hands down the best exhibition I've been to 🏡 so much to explore! #Japan #architecture pic.twitter.com/lhK1XTysqe
— Emily (@Emily_V_Photos) March 23, 2017
210 organisations worked with us
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We have 16 resident/associate companies and 3 associate schools
July 2017
Walthamstow Garden Party
The Barbican and Create partnered with Waltham Forest Council to present the fourth Walthamstow Garden Party. The free, two-day event, which took place in Lloyd Park, showcased talent from around the globe alongside Waltham Forest’s thriving creative and cultural communities. Toots and the Maytals headlined the Barbican’s Music Stage.
‘This event is about more than having a dance and a beer in the park. The Garden Party gives arts and artists a space, and it gives lots of young people like the youth circus and the young poets, such an incredible opportunity.’
Global, groovy, boundless, borderless...and free - music's greatest virtues on display at the #WalthamstowGardenParty @BarbicanCentre stage pic.twitter.com/uhOh40eiiB
— Rob Garratt (@robgarratt) July 17, 2017
Tickets booked from 94 different nations
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Toured work to 16 countries
August 2017
Into the Unknown: A Journey through Science Fiction
This genre-defining exploration of one of popular culture’s most celebrated realms took place all over the Centre and encompassed literature, contemporary art commissions, film, music, comic books, video games and robots including work shown in the UK for the first time.
‘A brilliantly anarchic history of the genre... unmissable!’ ★★★★★
Brilliant afternoon exploring the @BarbicanCentre's sci-fi exhibition: loads of amazing early 20th century refs and classic film costumes
— Seb Law (@sebulous) July 10, 2017
Thank you for taking the time to read our Season Review and to everyone who has supported us throughout the year
We are extremely grateful to the City of London Corporation, our Board, Trust, supporters, superbly committed staff and you, our audiences.
