Learning event Conversation panel
Curating and Designing Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style
Join Designer Alex Scott-Whitby, Curator Amber Butchart and Assistant Curator Tiya Dahyabhai to reflect on the making of 'Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style' and discover behind the scenes, from the initial ideas, to the completion of this inspiring and refreshing exhibition.
This occasional series offers a glimpse into how the Design Museum's exhibitions come together: designers, makers and curators discuss how curatorial narratives are translated into spatial arrangements and immersive experiences.
Designer Alex Scott-Whitby meets Curator Amber Butchart and Assistant Curator Tiya Dahyabhai to reflect on the making of our latest exhibition Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style, which explores our relationship with swimming and celebrates our enduring love of the water over the last 100 years.
Don't miss the chance to dip your toe into the creative process and dive deeper into insights from our guest speakers, covering everything from the initial idea and research processes to intentions, iterations, innovations, and more.
This event welcomes anyone interested in design, exhibitions, museums, curatorial practices and research – from designers, students and design enthusiasts, to researchers exploring the social histories and impact of swimming.
Speakers
Amber is a curator, writer and broadcaster who specialises in the cultural and political history of textiles, dress and design. She researches and presents documentaries for television and radio, including the BBC Four series 'A Stitch in Time' and the BBC Two reality show 'The Great British Sewing Bee'. Her books include 'The Fashion of Film', 'Nautical Chic', and 'A History of British Fashion Illustration'. She is the guest curator of 'Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style’.
Alex is the founding Director of Scott Whitby Studio, whose work has been exhibited and published internationally and has won multiple awards, including the Dezeen Awards, RIBA Awards, and the McEwan Award. In 2016, the RIBA Journal named Alex a Rising Star of British Architecture, and in 2023, the Studio was named one of two UK practices in the Architectural Review's Emerging Architecture Awards. He is also Associate Professor of Architecture at Kingston University.
Tiya is a curator and material researcher focused on contemporary craft and design, with a special interest in textile processes. As Assistant Curator at the Design Museum, she has worked on several exhibitions including 'Objects of Desire', 'The Offbeat Sari' and 'Barbie®: The Exhibition'. She is a committed advocate for equity within the museum sector and holds the positions of Museums Advisor for South Asian Heritage Month, and Equity Advisory Council member for Crafts Council.
Book online
Adult: £12
Concession: £11
Members*: £10
Carer: Free
*Please note that this benefit applies only to the cardholding Member’s ticket and not to those of additional guests.
• Pre-booking is required
• Hearing Loop is available
• Assistance dogs are welcome
• Do you require BSL interpretation? Please note that your ticket must be purchased at least 1 month before the event to request a BSL interpreter. We won't be able to provide a BSL interpreter if the ticket is purchased less than a month before the event
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Visit our terms & conditions page for further information.
Visit this page for further Access information.
Please note that this event does not include access to 'Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style' exhibition.
Related exhibition
Background image: Photograph by Mária Švarbová, Movement, 2020. Courtesy of Mária Švarbová, on display in Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style. Exhibition photograph by Luke Hayes for the Design Museum.
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