Secrets of the Museum - Series 2

Episode
Episode Two - Epic Iran
Broadcast Info
2021 (59 mins)
Description
Inside every museum is a hidden world, and now cameras have been allowed back behind the scenes at the world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum in London. And although many of us have had to stay away over the last year, in the V&A’s workshops and storerooms, the work has continued to conserve some of the two million wonders in the museum’s collection. Only a small part of the museum’s collection is ever on display. But in this series, we go behind closed doors to explore all the treasures of art, design and performance the museum has to offer. We follow experts and conservators at work in this treasure trove of the nation’s favourite objects, as they breathe new life into fragile marvels, uncover hidden stories, and work tirelessly to keep the past alive for all of us. This week the V&A’s Museum of Childhood in east London is about to undergo a major refurbishment. But before the builders can begin, the museum’s entire collection of 30,000 toys and games must be packed away. And so one of the smallest but most cherished members of the teddy bear collection is coming off display, for the first time in half a century. Little Tommy Tittlemouse is the museum’s oldest teddy bear, at one hundred and eleven years old, and stands just 5 inches tall. The little bear was donated to the museum in 1965, by its owner James Gowan. But before the bear can be packed away, curator Will must ensure he is given a condition check. After he’s given the all-clear, Will arranges for a special visitor to celebrate Tommy Tittlemouse’s one hundred and twelfth birthday. The V&A is preparing for a blockbuster new exhibition on the art of Iran. At its heart, curator Tim hopes to display three of the longest artworks ever unveiled at the museum. These 10-metre long paintings are replicas of the painted interiors of mosque domes from central Iran. From the 1850s the founders of the V&A collected the art of the Middle East, to inspire British designers. In Iran, with no-one on the ground to search out new designs, the museum turned to an unlikely source: a Scottish engineer called Robert Murdoch Smith. Smith was working for the Indo-European Telegraph Company, an organisation constructing a telegraph linking India and England, via Iran. Smith commissioned local Iranian craftsmen to make painted copies of the mosque designs. Now, after 150 years in storage, these vast objects need extensive conservation work if they are to become the star attractions in the new exhibition. With only 16 weeks before the paintings are installed, conservator Nicola and her team have their work cut out to restore these 140- year-old paintings to their former glory. The V&A’s Jewellery Gallery is brimming with more than 3,000 wonders. Curator Clare has two new pieces she is hoping to add to the collection. The first is known as the ‘Vulcan’ ring, made by contemporary British designer Emefa Cole. Emefa was born in Ghana and brought up in London; her ‘Vulcan’ series is inspired by the power and majesty of volcanoes. Curator Clare visits Emefa at her studio to understand more about the making of the Vulcan ring, and Emefa’s use of an ancient technique known as the ‘lost wax’ method. Next, curator Clare finds another stunning piece, also made using the lost wax technique - this time by Taiwanese designer Cindy Chao. The ‘Peony Brooch’ is fashioned from 105 large oval rubies, and a multitude of tiny circular brilliant-cut rubies, all held in a purple titanium setting. In the British Galleries, Curator Simon has found the perfect object for the Laughing Matters display - which celebrates the history of Britain through comedy - the costume worn by Andrew Sachs in ‘Fawlty Towers’. Andrew Sachs played the much-loved but hapless Spanish waiter Manuel, who was often on the receiving end of patronising put-downs from hotel owner Basil Fawlty. The outfit is being donated to the museum by Andrew Sachs’ daughter Kate, who recalls memories of visiting her father on set, and also reflects on how her father’s own immigrant background escaping from Nazi Germany in 1938 would have informed his portrayal of Manuel, an immigrant from Barcelona. Simon is working closely with mannequin dresser Lara to capture the perfect pose for Manuel, and when Kate Sachs comes in to see the final display they want to ensure she isn’t disappointed.
Genre
History; Culture; Art & Design

How to cite this record

The Open University, "Secrets of the Museum - Series 2". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ou/search/index.php/prog/239582 (Accessed 10 Jan 2025)