What's New for 2012 in Hampshire's museums
3rd January 2012
Categories: Family Fun news
A new museum to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic (April 2012); Dickens bicentenary celebrations; Matisse drawings; an exhibition to mark 50 years of Bond films and a new boat-shaped museum for a Tudor battleship are just some of the exciting things to be discovered at 15 museums across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. For details visit www.visitsoutheastengland.com/historyrevealed
Visit Dickens’ Birthplace in his Bicentenary Year – Portsmouth
Original Nicholas Nickleby Manuscript on Display
Charles Dickens’ birth town, Portsmouth will be marking the novelist’s bicentenary (7th February 1812 - 9th June 1870) with a programme of exhibitions, talks and special events. The free entry exhibition will be open from 28th January until 4th November 2012 (closed Mondays apart from Bank Holidays when the museum is open). For details visit www.portsmouthcitymuseums.co.uk.
Southampton Sea City Museum – Opening April 2012 to mark 100th Anniversary of Titanic Sinking
The Sea City Museum with its new galleries and spaces focuses on Southampton and its connection with the sea, including the city’s Titanic heritage and the stories of the people who have travelled in and out of the city through the ages.
The first area tells the story of the impact on Southampton of the sinking in 1912 of the White Star liner Titanic. Through a fascinating 1:25 scale, interactive model of the Titanic, visitors of all ages are given an insight into the lives of the crew, many of whom were Southampton residents. Using the city’s unique historic collections, the second gallery Southampton Gateway to the World recounts the stories of people who have departed from or arrived in the port of Southampton over the last 2,000 years, from the earliest settlers to the stories of people living in the city today. A temporary exhibit in the third gallery, Titanic The Legend, will explore why, out of all of the historical sea disasters, the story of the Titanic has taken on the status of a legend. For more information visit www.seacitymuseum.co.uk.
James Bond Vehicle Exhibition at National Motor Museum Beaulieu celebrates 50th anniversary of first James Bond Film
The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and EON Productions will be holding the largest exhibition of James Bond vehicles ever displayed to celebrate the 50th year since the first James Bond film was screened. It will run from January to December 2012. The display will include the 2008 Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace, the 2002 Jaguar XKR with SFX weapons from Die Another Day, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 from Goldeneye and the 1937 Phantom lll Rolls-Royce from Goldfinger. For more information visit www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk.
Matisse at The Gallery at Winchester Discovery Centre
14 January to 18 March
A free entry exhibition featuring 35 lithographic prints of the famous cut-outs produced by the French painter, sculptor and designer Henri Matisse (1869-1954) will be on display at The Gallery in the Winchester Discovery Centre from 14th January until 18th March 2012. Matisse Drawing with Scissors, Late Works 1950-1954 is a Hayward Touring exhibition from the Southbank Centre, London on behalf of Arts Council England. One of the 20th century's most influential artists, his vibrant works are celebrated for their extraordinary richness and luminosity of colour. The cut-outs were produced in the last four years of his life, when the artist was confined to his bed, and include many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes. For further information about The Gallery visit www.hants.gov.uk/wdc-gallery.
