Now on and coming up:
Palm Leaf Architecture in the United Arab Emirates (free entry)
An exhibition looking at how palm-leaf architecture is closely connected to the religious, cultural and agricultural traditions of people in the Arabian Peninsula is now on display at the Society.
Arish: Palm-Leaf Architecture in the United Arab Emirates, curated by London-based architect, Sandra Piesik, is the first exhibition of its kind in Europe, portraying the 7000-year history of human habitation in the region.
The exhbition presents a contemporary view on the future of this most renewable and locally available building resource. Palm leaf buildings demonstrated brilliant adaptation techniques of sustainable construction in the extreme climate conditions of the desert.
Visitors not only get chance to look at the displays in the Exhibition Pavilion, but also are able to enter an authentic Arish House in the garden at the Society.
The exhibition also includes early 20th century photographs of buildings and sites on the Arabian Peninsula taken from the Society’s photographic collection and used for historical context.
A timely record of many localised techniques that are on the verge of extinction viewed from the scale of the city to traditional house, this exhibition aims to stimulate debate about contemporary adaptation of crafts and authentic cultural continuity in the globalised world.
Arish-built structures, from summer and winter houses of Ras Al Khaimah to the Bedu community settlements of Liwa, have evolved over the centuries to provide a strong vernacular. They are simple but sophisticated in design, practical to transport, and yet strong enough to withstand the vagaries of the desert.
This exhibition celebrates these unique indigenous craft and provides the foundation for a genuine understanding of the region, critical in the context of the fast-developing global economies they have become today. Can the knowledge of ancient civilisations developed through centuries help in finding long term climate change solutions?Globalisation has brought issues of extinction of indigenous cultures to the fore.
The Arish House in the garden has been reconstructed as part of the educational initiative carried out by Article 25 and Sandra Piesik. Materials contribution from Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Historic Environment Department in Al Ain.
This exhibition has been generously sponsored by: Article 25, ADATC, ADCO, Buro Happold, Department of Presidential Affairs DPA represented by H.E. Eng. Mubarak Al Ahbabi, DTCM, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in London, Emirates NBD London, InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City, John R Harris and Partners, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Thames & Hudson, The British Foundation for the Study of Arabia, 3 ideas Limited. The exhibition has been executed by Factory Settings Ltd.
Renowned international multidisciplinary engineering consultancy Buro Happold has developed a strong relationship and enviable reputation with the Middle East. Contribution to a design and construction of a contemporary palm leaf sculpture is a mile stone in authentic cultural continuity of Arish craft. Buro Happold is proud to support this fascinating project and important work in the region.
The Society will also be holding a number of Collection-based events with a desert theme this summer term.
ARTSHOUSE presents Natasha Kumar and Paul Vanstone (free entry)
- Monday 28 May 2012 to Friday 8 June 2012
An exhibition of original works on paper and stone sculpture – A Sense of Place. These artists work in very different materials but share Indian influences. Their classical training and traditional focus is balanced by their passion to create relevant contemporary works. For full opening dates and times visit the ARTHOUSE website.
Trailfinders photographic exhibition (free entry)
- Monday 11 June 2012 to Friday 15 June 2012
Trailfinders, the travel experts, recently held a staff photography competition – they had over 300 images submitted, covering 60 countries around the world and the finalists will be on display to inspire your future travels.
Travel photographer of the year (TPOTY) (free entry)
- Thursday 21 June 2012 to Sunday 19 August 2012 (open at weekends and bank holidays)
2012 is TPOTY's 10th year, so in addition to showing all the best images from the 2011 awards, along with historical travel photography from the Society's archives, TPOTY are planning additional exhibits to celebrate.
More details available from www.tpoty.com.
With Scott to the Pole (free entry)
Society Exhibition
- Monday 16 January 2012 to Friday 30 March 2012 - open Monday to Friday, 10am until 5pm
Captain Scott’s doomed expedition to the South Pole is remembered in its centenary year.
This thought-provoking exhibition combines some of the finest polar photography by the official expedition photographer, Herbert Ponting, with a digital gallery illustrating the way in which Scott’s most important legacy, the beginning of scientific research in Antarctica, reflects itself in the scientific research being carried out in polar areas today and showcasing examples of the achievements and work being carried out today by the British Antarctic Survey along with other international initiatives supported via UK universities and by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) through its grants programme.
Venue: Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR.
Visit our Picture Library to browse and buy prints of over 800 images from Scott’s British Antarctic Expedition.
Schools can also use the Discovering Antarctica website developed by the Society in partnership with the British Antarctic Survey and FCO.
Find out more about the exhibition and a number of other resources available on our Scott centenary webpage.
The Serbian medieval cultural heritage (free entry)
- Monday 2 April 2012 to Thursday 5 April 2012, Saturday 7 April 2012, and Tuesday 10 April 2012 to Friday 13 April 2012
The Serbian Christian medieval state was prosperous from mining income, her kings built churches with original frescoes, architectural decoration and workshops to copy and illuminate manuscripts. Today these are UNESCO heritage sites.
For full opening dates and times see the Pro Art website