Home to over 2.3 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human ingenuity, from fashion to photography, sculpture to ceramics, architecture to theatre and performance, the V&A has never been more popular, welcoming four million visitors a year. Secrets of the Museum will reveal a world until now hidden from the public eye: the work of hundreds of curators, conservators, technicians and more, whose job is to preserve and care for priceless objects on behalf of us all.
Following the V&A’s specialist teams, Secrets Of The Museum will reveal the tricks of their trade - the painstaking craftsmanship and expertise involved in conserving, cleaning, loaning, acquiring and displaying some of the museum’s two million amazing objects. From Grayson Perry’s Brexit vases, haute couture gowns and Charles Dickens’ original manuscripts, to Kylie Minogue’s travelling wardrobe and the handlebars from Bradley Wiggins’ record-breaking bike, the staff of the V&A handle it all.
Every object tells a story and each programme will follow the V&A’s experts at work. Many of these objects are fragile, and most are extremely rare presenting new conservation challenges at every turn. Told through the day-to-day lives of the V&A’s dedicated and world-class team, the hidden history of each object will be uncovered, from how it was made and why it matters, to the important job of the museum to keep these stories alive for future generations.
Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two, says: “This series promises to be an absolute treat. With access to some of the world’s best restorers and the beguiling collection of the V&A, this series takes the audience behind the scenes of the museum in a unique BBC Two way.”
Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A says: “The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance, with one of the most inspiring and varied collections in the world that spans 5,000 years of human ingenuity. It is a profound privilege to care for and bring to life the stories of these objects for the nation, and we are delighted to share our work and expertise through this exciting new series. Our aim at the V&A is to champion creative industry, inspire the next generation and enrich everyone’s imagination. We hope this series will inspire a new generation of designers and makers, museum-goers and day-trippers to fall in love with the V&A and its remarkable collection.”
From Thursday 6 February, 8pm on BBC Two
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