Wednesday, 26 March 2014

British Library - What's On

British Library
April 2014
What's On


Book tickets for Comics Unmasked - the UK’s largest ever comics exhibition. Come and celebrate six of the best writers from around Europe at our European Literature Night.

All families are welcome at our free All about Alice events on 8-9 April. Plus our free Treasures Gallery has re-opened with 100 new items on display.

Find out more about all our exhibitions and events on What’s On.
What's in this issue:
Comics Unmasked
European Literature Night
Louisa Young

All about Alice
Around Town

Comics Unmasked: Art and Anarchy in the UK
2 May - 19 August 2014
PACCAR Gallery
£5 - £9.50

This is the UK’s largest ever exhibition of comics, featuring iconic names including Neil Gaiman (Sandman), Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta), Grant Morrison (Batman: Arkham Asylum) and Posy Simmonds (Tamara Drewe).

Comics Unmasked explores works that challenge categorisation, preconceptions and the status quo, while demystifying the creative process with original scripts, preparatory sketches and final artwork.

Parental guidance advised for visitors under 16 years.

Book now

Accompanying the exhibition is a series of events, including Bryan and Mary Talbot and the UK premiere live performance of Dave McKean’s 9 Lives featuring song, spoken word, film and animation.

More events
European Literature Night
Wednesday 14 May 2014
18.30 - 20.30
Conference Centre and Terrace Restaurant
£7 - £10

Come and celebrate many of the best writers and graphic artists from around Europe in the sixth annual European Literature Night. Superb reportage, humorous explorations of the nature of power, chilling dystopia-meets-crime fiction and haunting portrayals of broken familial relationships combine for one of the must-see events in the UK literary calendar. Chaired by acclaimed journalist Rosie Goldsmith, the events are followed by a reception and entry to the Comics Unmaskedexhibition.

European Literature Night: The Writers
Book now

European Literature Night: The Graphic Novelists
Book now


Wole Soyinka at 80
Thursday 8 May 2014
18.30 - 20.30
Conference Centre
£6 - £10

Professor Wole Soyinka, Nigerian playwright, poet and novelist, became the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. Beyond his successful literary career, Soyinka is well known for his political activism. Marking his 80th birthday, Soyinka joins editor and critic Margaret Busby to reflect on his large body of work and the relationship between culture and politics, exploring how literature and the arts speak to the contemporary African experience.

Book now
Cityread London: Louisa YoungAll About Alice family event
Monday 14 April 2014
18.30 - 20.00
Conference Centre
£5 - £8

Novelist and journalist Louisa Young discusses women and war with Kirsty Young, in the context of her moving love story set in London and on the Western Front in the First World War. My Dear I Wanted to Tell You relates the story of Riley and Nadine, the horrors of the trenches and the genesis of plastic surgery, and is the chosen book for Cityread London 2014.

Book now
Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 April 2014
11.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 16.00
Entrance Hall and Harry M Weinrebe Learning Centre
Free / Drop-in

You are personally invited to a curious celebration of the nonsense world of Alice in Wonderland. Hunt the White Rabbit, create a curious upside-down, inside-out wonderland, play strange, silly or sensible games and so much more.  And come dressed as your favourite character.

Suitable for ages 6 and upwards.

More
The Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British LibraryAround Town
Permanent exhibition
Free

The Treasures Gallery has re-opened following refurbishment.

On display are 100 new items, including the newly acquired Mystère de la Vengeance, an exceptional manuscript of a medieval drama, made for the Duke of Burgundy.

Other items include:
  • Diamond Sutra (the world's earliest dated printed book)
  • Laurence Olivier's script for Macbeth
  • Hanif Kureishi's diary from his recently acquired archive
Find out more
Renaissance Impressions
Royal Academy of Arts
15 March - 8 June 2014

Discover the lost art of Chiaroscuro woodcuts - pioneering 16th-century prints based on the exquisite designs of the Renaissance masters.

Image used is Ugo da Carpi, after Parmigianino Diogenes c. 1527. Chiaroscuro woodcut printed from four blocks, the tone blocks in green and blue 47.8 x 34.3 cm Albertina, Vienna. Photo Albertina, Vienna. Organised by the Royal Academy of Arts, London and the Albertina, Vienna.

Find out more





Afternoon Tea
The Gilbert Scott
3 - 21 April 2014

Experience a unique Afternoon Tea this Easter at The Gilbert Scott. Featuring exceptional food in a beautiful setting, artist Charlotte Cory will provide traditional Victorian Easter treats, with a twist.

Find out more