At Home with the World

Tuesday 20 March – Sunday 9 September 2012

Earthenware dish designed by William de Morgan, thought to date from between 1888 and 1911; Coffee pot designed by Christopher Dresser and made by Benham & Froud, c1888; glazed porcelain dish made in Fujian, China, c1700-1720

As we prepare to welcome the world to London in 2012, we ask: how ‘English’ are our homes? The answer is perhaps surprising: many of the familiar objects in our homes today have either come from distant lands or been influenced by other cultures. At Home with the World will tell a fascinating story about how a myriad of the domestic designs, decorations, materials and social customs we consider to be ‘English’ in fact originate elsewhere.

At Home with the World will explore the cosmopolitan nature of London homes over the past 400 years and the way in which they have embraced cultural exchange, making an impact on the spaces in which we live and on the value and meanings with which we imbue ‘home’. From Chinese porcelain and the great craze for ‘taking tea’ in the 18^th century, to the use of Islamic and Indian patterns in the 19^th century, the popularity of Scandinavian and American design in the 20^th century and the globalization of the 21^st century, we will show that homes in England have been shaped by many diverse cultures – and may not be so English after all!

The Geffrye’s period rooms will be re-interpreted to highlight these international influences. The exhibition gallery will explore key themes in more depth to show how a wide range of cultures has contributed to the evolution of homes in England.

Three years of intensive community and youth engagement work has informed not only this special exhibition and the exciting new displays and interpretation, but also films and trails through the period rooms, museum and gardens, all of which will encourage a dialogue about our homes. We hope visitors will think about their own homes in a new light, by exploring how other cultures may have shaped our personal spaces, considering ideas about ‘what makes a home’ and thinking afresh about the way we live now.

At Home with the World is one of a series of Stories of the World: London exhibitions across London exploring four aspects of life in this World City – Home, Identity, Journeys and Place. Stories of the World: London is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme Stories of the World which presents exciting new museum exhibitions across the UK, created by young people. The project is led by Arts Council England in partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Notes to Editors

1. For further information or images, please contact Nancy Loader, Press Officer, on 020 7739 9893 or press@geffrye-museum.org.uk.

2. At Home with the World will be accompanied by an extensive programme of public events which will include study days, talks, live music and performances, storytelling and art, craft and design activities for all ages. Young volunteers will help devise and deliver this programme of events and give tours of the period rooms, gardens, and exhibition.

3. Since 2008, the Geffrye has worked in collaboration with the Museum of London, Horniman Museum and London Transport Museum to lead the Stories of the World: London project. During this time, the museum has also worked in partnership with five other museums and historic houses on the theme of 'Home': The Design Museum, Dorich House, Keats House, 575 Wandsworth Road(National Trust), and Leighton House. 

Young people have been involved in all aspects of the project. At the Geffrye, we have worked with a Young Advisory Panel to devise associated events and marketing materials, Young Consultants on strategic and exhibition elements, Young Ambassadors to spread the word to other young people, and participants in creative workshops to develop content for At Home with the World.

4. The Geffrye explores the home from 1600 to the present day, focusing on the living rooms of the urban middle classes in England, particularly London. A chronological series of period rooms show how such homes have been used and furnished over this period, reflecting changes in society and patterns of behaviour as well as style, fashion and taste. These displays are complemented by displays of period gardens which chart the key changes in town gardens over the past 400 years (open Apr-Oct).

5.  Admission: FREE

Address: 136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2.

Tel: 020 7739 9893

Email: info@geffrye-museum.org.uk 

Web: www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

Travel: London Overground: Hoxton station (behind the museum)

Tube:  Liverpool Street, then bus 149 or 242 from Bishopsgate/ Old Street (exit 2), then bus 243 or 15 minute walk

Buses 67, 149, 242, 243, 394

Open: Tue–Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun & Bank Hol Mon, 12noon–5pm

Closed: Mons (except Bank Hols), Good Friday

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