The Victoria and Albert Museum was an expansive, history-rich museum that I enjoyed strolling through this morning. Although I wasn’t able to hit every section of it, as there was so much to look at, I saw some really cool exhibits and learned a lot about many different civilizations and cultures.
One piece I saw reminded me of the musical I wrote about in my last post, Gloryride. It was a collection of high-ranking and decorative armor from the 30-Year War, which was the first Europe-wide conflict. During the war, the arts suffered as churches, cities, and palaces burnt down, but as the plaque at the museum said, “the war also stimulated artists to champion causes, commemorate leaders, celebrate victories and record the terrors they witnessed.” These pieces made me think of Gloryride as the musical is set during World War II, another large-scale war. Gino, the main character in the musical, is championed as a leader of the people as he rose to fame bike riding. The people of Italy looked up to him and put his opinions on a high pedestal. The armor I saw was worn by heroes of the 30-Year War, just like Gino was a hero of his war in a different way, as he helped hundreds of children escape death in Italy. These pieces of armor are art that capture a historic moment in time, just like Gloryride does as well.
Even though the theatre portion of the museum was closed, it was still really interesting finding ways to connect works of theatre with the works of art on showcase at the museum. All mediums of art can be connected and I think that they enhance each other in a really thought-provoking way. Art is inherently collaborative and helps bring ideas and people together.
Theatre in London U of A 