The Barbican is to publish a new book celebrating the history, architecture, and people that have illuminated the iconic Brutalist arts centre since its opening in 1982.
The Barbican is to publish a new book celebrating the history, architecture, and people that have illuminated the iconic Brutalist arts centre since its opening in 1982. Available exclusively through the Barbican Shop from 16 November, and drawing on original essays, personal reflections, photography and a rich historical archive, The Barbican Book explores the spaces and stories of one of Britain’s most influential cultural institutions, revealing the many worlds that bring this landmark to life.
For more than four decades the Barbican has occupied a singular place in London’s urban and cultural landscape. One of the defining works of postwar architecture, it is a neighbourhood to a community of over 4,000 residents, as much as it is a world-class arts centre. Across its highwalks and public spaces, and in its theatres, concert hall, galleries, cinemas, library, conservatory and cafés, artists create and audiences gather.
Conceived in the aftermath of the Second World War by what its architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon imagined as a ‘city within a city’ bringing together homes, schools, gardens, lakes and an arts centre, the Barbican Estate offered a transformation of English domestic life. When the Barbican Centre opened in 1982 the complex was so radical, so visionary that even Queen Elizabeth II was compelled to describe it as ‘one of the wonders of the modern world’.
The Barbican Book features a fascinating selection of historical and contemporary photography of the building and of the many artistic highlights that have taken place within its walls, as well as chapters that delve into each of the unique spaces that can be found across the complex, from the art gallery to the conservatory, and from the concert hall to the library. There are also essays and reflections from authors including Rakaya Fetuga, Julia Cabanas, Sujata Burman, Sarah Handelman, Flo O’Mahony, Lou Stoppard, Tom Overton (Archive Curator at the Barbican), and Jon Astbury (Assistant Curator, Architecture and Design at the Barbican).
The Barbican Book will be released on the 16 November for £14.99, and will be available exclusively instore and online at the Barbican Shop, with pre-orders now live.
