S2:E6 Britain can make it, 1946

In this episode Malika talks to art critic and Arts Editor of House and Garden Fiona McKenzie Johnston about a landmark show that came hot on the heels of Manet and the Post Impressionists in 1910, and changed the British art landscape further. The organiser was Roger Fry, about whom Fiona has written a fascinating book: Roger Fry, Bloomsbury and the Invention of Modern Art, (Triglyph Books, 2026). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Malika Browne talks to John-Paul Stonard about the subject of his new book, The Worst Exhibition in the World, Degenerate Art, 1937 (Old Street, 2026) Organised in three weeks at Adolf Hitler’s instigation, the exhibition became one of the most visited exhibitions of all time, and it has gone down in history as one of the most notorious and ironic shows ever. A must-listen for anyone interested in Weimar Germany, German art, modern art, or just early 20th century history! This episode has been generously supported by Old Street Publishing. Visit Www.oldstreetpublishing.co.uk to learn more about their bestselling Shortest History books, and their many other titles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Malika Browne talks to curator and art historian Dr Alison Smith, head of collections at the Wallace Collection, about the Wallace’s biggest exhibition ever, in 1942. It was organised by Clementine Churchill and the wife of the Russian Ambassador to London, Agnia Maisky. It was one of several “solidarity exhibitions” that took place in Britain during WW2. A must-listen for anyone interested in art, WW2, the Churchills, Russia - and fans of the Wallace Collection! Further Reading:The Maisky Diaries by Ivan MaiskyThe extraordinary wartime diaries of Ivan Maisky, Soviet ambassador to London during WW2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Malika Browne talks to writer and journalist Andrew Finkel about Constantinople in Olympia, a grand spectacle that took place in London in 1893. The spectacle had a cast of thousands, and featured real boats (caiques) on a fake Golden Horn, a real Turkish bazaar, rug factories and two shows a day….Andrew’s novel: The Adventure of the Second Wife is published by Even Keel Press.https://www.cornucopia.net/store/books/the-adventure-of-the-second-wife/This is a Froody Music production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Malika Browne talks to former Country Life editor, architectural writer and podcaster Clive Aslet, about the Edwin Lutyens exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in London in 1981. The exhibition was huge, immersive, and led to a reappraisal of Sir Edwin Lutyens as a great English architect. Its success also led to the founding of the Lutyens Trust.www.lutyenstrust.org.ukwww.lutyenstrustamerica.comFurther Reading:Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain’s Greatest Architect? By Clive Aslet. Triglyph Books 2024Further Listening:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0r4BTNzAzBUazclUALqqKa?si=otC85t8WRFGvb3zkLePTHAThis is a www.froodymusic.com production, recorded and edited by Martin Lumsden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Note: explicit content! In this episode, Malika Browne talks to Harriet Vyner, co-founder of Cheerio Publishing and author of Groovy Bob: The Life and Times of Robert Fraser, about an exhibition at the Robert Fraser Gallery in Duke Street, London in 1966. The show was of prints by Jim Dine, on which he collaborated with Eduardo Paolozzi, and it was shut down by the police on grounds of obscenity. A must-listen for anyone interested in Swinging London, in the art world, and in the fascinating figure of Robert Fraser.This episode has been generously supported by Cheerio Publishing. Visit Www.cheeriopublishing.com to learn more about their publications and films. #RobertFraser #JimDine #EduardoPaolozzi #MichaelCooper #BrianRobertson #RolandPenrose #BrianClarke #RollingStones #MickJagger #JohnLennon #ColinSelf #RichardHamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Malika Browne talks to writer and broadcaster Muriel Zagha about the spectacular Exposition Universelle that transformed Paris in 1900, and discusses how it created the image of Paris as the City of Lights. A must-listen for anyone who loves Paris, who is interested in French culture, and anyone who is fascinated by world expos! Further Reading:Paul Morand, 1900Albert Robida, Le Vingtième Siècle (1883), La Guerre au Vingtième Siècle (1887), Le Vingtième Siècle (la Vie électrique) (1890)Watch:Colourised footage of the Trottoir Roulant at the Expo https://youtu.be/VvMH0sGQh8M This is a Froody Music production. Thank you to Martin Lumsden for producing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

King George VI opening the exhibition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRkHfgP9gRQHarriet Atkinson is AHRC Leadership Fellow and Senior Lecturer in History of Art and Design at University of BrightonHer latest book is Showing resistance: Propaganda and Modernist exhibitions in Britain, 1933–53 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Malika Browne talks to art historian, author and museum director Will Gompertz about Olafur Eliasson’s unforgettable installation in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern in 2003. Was it an exhibition in the strictest sense of the word? Or was it an installation, a happening or even an ‘environment’? It was certainly a landmark event in London that decade. Will worked at Tate at the time, and has fascinating insights into the exhibition and how it came about. This is a Froody Music production. Thanks to Martin Lumsden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Malika Browne talks to Melanie Lenz, digital curator at the V&A about the groundbreaking exhibition Cybernetic Serendipity at the ICA in `London in 1968 in a discussion that explores the origins and the military uses of cybernetics, the difference between cybernetics and AI, and the effect this show had on its visitors in the pre-computer age.DO NOT MISS Electric Dreams at Tate Modern on til 1st June 2025, about art and technology before the internet. It has a whole room about Cybernetic Serendipity! Further Reading:"Cybernetic Serendipity": The First Widely-Attended International Exhibition of Computer ArtSeven minute piece of footage from 1968 of curator Jasia Reichardt explaining her fascinating show This is a Froody Music production. Thanks to Martin Lumsden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.