ITP 2013: August 20 – Feras Aqel

We met the ITP team at Schafer House reception at 9 am and took the bus to Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). At the museum reception, we got the Escorted Visitors cards, and then we drank coffee.

The presentations started at 10:15 am, the first one was Introducing the V&A, it has the largest collection of decorative art in the world, which include ceramics, glass, medieval objects, jewellery …..Etc.
The second presentation was about the Jameel Prize by Salma Tuqan, Curator, Middle East, and Asian Department. She talked about artists’ events from different countries of Asia in V&A.

The third one was Exhibitions and International Strategy at the V&A by Anais Aguerre, Head of International Initiatives. She talked about the mission and objectives of V&A, the future plans, exhibitions programmes such as Chinese Painting and Pearls, V&A touring exhibitions, and International training.
The fourth presentation was on Libyan Street Art by Sarah Scott, Deputy Head of Touring Exhibitions, Exhibitions and Loans Department which was collaboration between the British Council Libya and V&A as requested by Libyan Deputy Minister of culture and civil society.

The fifth one was Passion for Porcelain by Luisa Mengoni, Curator, China, Asian Department which was about the first partnership between the V&A and BM and NMC.
The last presentation was on Learning Programmes around the Chinese Painting exhibition by Harriet Curnow, programme manager, Learning Department.

After lunch we visited the galleries, Silver from the Malay World, HO Buddhist gallery, T.T.Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art and Ceramics Galleries and we visit also Jameel Gallery, then we returned to Schafer House.

It was very interesting day and we got new information and I enjoyed the Jameel Gallery which has many different artifacts from Middle East and Asia.