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Feature: The Big Picture - Exhibition - At Home with the World is at the Geffrye Museum

Published: 19 April, 2012

The answer is perhaps surprising: many of the objects that are familiar to us have either come from distant lands or been influenced by other cultures.

At Home with the World, the current exhibition at the Geffrye Museum, tells a fascinating story about how many domestic designs, decorations, materials and social customs we consider to be “English” in fact originate elsewhere.

Highlighting the cosmopolitan nature of London homes over the past 400 years, the exhibition explores the ways in which cultural exchange has made an impact on our domestic spaces and on the value and meanings with which we imbue “home”. 
 
From Chinese porcelain and the great craze for “taking tea” in the 18th century, to the use of Islamic and Indian patterns in the 19th century, the popularity of Scandinavian and American design in the 20th century and the globalisation of the 21st century, the show demonstrates that homes in England have been shaped by many cultures – and may not be so English after all.

At Home with the World is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme Stories of the World, which presents exciting new museum exhibitions across the UK, created by young people.

Related events

Exhibition tour: Join the museum’s Volunteer Tour Guides for an interactive tour of At Home with the World. Discover more about the exhibition’s objects and themes, visit the Collection Stores and find out how young people have been involved throughout the programme.

Saturday May 12, 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm and 4.15pm.

Tickets are free and places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis 10 minutes before tour starts.

Exhibition talks: An informal chance to explore objects and ideas in the exhibition with a Geffrye curator. Sunday May 20, 2pm and 3.30pm. Free.

The History of Your Home workshop: Are you curious about who lived in your home in the past? This workshop offers practical guidance and insights about researching the history of your home. Saturday May 12, 10am-4.15pm. £10/£8 conc (includes lunch and refreshments)

Special evening event

Global Homes: Listen to talks exploring international influences on homes in London, enjoy live music including favourites from the 70s, 80s and 90s and join in fun and thought-provoking workshops.

Wednesday May 16, 6-8.30pm. £6/£4 concessions (includes glass of wine).

Study Day: At Home with the World
A day of talks and case studies presented by historians, specialists and curators in which themes and particular works in At Home with the World will be explored in depth. Saturday May 19, 10am-4.30pm. £40/£30 conc (includes lunch and refreshments).

Tickets: bookings@geffrye-museum.org.uk or 020 7739 9893.

• At Home with the World is at the Geffrye Museum, 136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2, until Sunday September 9, admission free. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday (and Bank Holiday Monday) Noon-5pm. 020 7739 9893, email: info@geffrye-museum.org.uk, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

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