London Barbican James Bond Exhibition

Moore Than · February 2012

London's Barbican Centre will be holding an exhibition in July to mark the Bond films 50th anniversary. Designing 007: 50 years of Bond Style promises to show five decades of gadgets, sets, costumes and cars, along with blueprints, drawings and models that went into creating them.

The FULL article.
Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/feb/29/exhibition-marks-50-years-james-bond-films

Thomo · February 2012

looks like it will be worth a visit

Moore Than · February 2012

More detail has emerged about the exhibition via a press release at MI6.

Datastream
Exhibition: 6th July to 5th September 2012
Hours: Daily 11am - 8pm, every Thursday late until 10pm. Last admission 90 minutes before close.
Booking opens: 1st March 2012 at 10.00 GMT via barbican.org.uk/bond (click link below)
Tickets: Standard £12, Yellow Members £10, Red/Orange Members £8, Concessions: £10, Under 16's £8
Please check availability before visiting.
Timed admission is in operation - advance booking is strongly advised.

For the FULL press release
http://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/event_barbican_designing_007_announcement.php3?t=&s=&id=03098

Lexi · March 2012

I think this is worth a visit.

Might just go and have to book a ticket

Higgins · March 2012

I'll be there after the Olympics..

Hope to meet Lexi and Pete - but my wife may want to join me

Lexi · March 2012

Bondtoys wrote:

I'll be there after the Olympics..

Hope to meet Lexi and Pete - but my wife may want to join me

Oh dear... what no threesome?

Gutted!

)

Higgins · March 2012

When do you have time, Lexi.....

* and I'll not bring Pete with me - promised!

ppw3o6r · March 2012

Lexi wrote:

Bondtoys wrote:

I'll be there after the Olympics..

Hope to meet Lexi and Pete - but my wife may want to join me

Oh dear... what no threesome?

Gutted! )

This could be interesting. Will Lexi live up to her amazing silhouette image (which makes me want to cry by the way) or will Lexi end up being a burly brick layer named Alex?

Lexi · March 2012

ppw3o6r wrote:

Lexi wrote:

Bondtoys wrote:

I'll be there after the Olympics..

Hope to meet Lexi and Pete - but my wife may want to join me

Oh dear... what no threesome?

Gutted! )

This could be interesting. Will Lexi live up to her amazing silhouette image (which makes me want to cry by the way) or will Lexi end up being a burly brick layer named Alex?

)

)

Well I did go by the name of Alex when I was younger....and I am 6"+ - but I swear I don't lay bricks.... or have to stand up when I pee....

ppw3o6r · March 2012

Lexi wrote:

ppw3o6r wrote:

Lexi wrote:

Oh dear... what no threesome?

Gutted! )

This could be interesting. Will Lexi live up to her amazing silhouette image (which makes me want to cry by the way) or will Lexi end up being a burly brick layer named Alex?

) )

Well I did go by the name of Alex when I was younger....and I am 6"+ - but I swear I don't lay bricks.... or have to stand up when I pee....

Well I'm also 6ft +, do lay bricks & so don't have to stand up when I pee either...too crude??

Lexi · March 2012

ppw3o6r wrote:

Lexi wrote:

ppw3o6r wrote:

This could be interesting. Will Lexi live up to her amazing silhouette image (which makes me want to cry by the way) or will Lexi end up being a burly brick layer named Alex?

) )

Well I did go by the name of Alex when I was younger....and I am 6"+ - but I swear I don't lay bricks.... or have to stand up when I pee....

Well I'm also 6ft +, do lay bricks & so don't have to stand up when I pee either...too crude??

Nah, however if you had posted pics ........

)

So, when are peeps going to this then....?

ppw3o6r · March 2012

Lexi wrote:

ppw3o6r wrote:

Lexi wrote:

) )

Well I did go by the name of Alex when I was younger....and I am 6"+ - but I swear I don't lay bricks.... or have to stand up when I pee....

Well I'm also 6ft +, do lay bricks & so don't have to stand up when I pee either...too crude??

Nah, however if you had posted pics ........ )

So, when are peeps going to this then....?

July 2012...lol

danjaq_0ff · March 2012

Bondtoys wrote:

When do you have time, Lexi.....

* and I'll not bring Pete with me - promised!

8-)

danjaq_0ff · March 2012

)

) Yeah Donk we want pics

Lexi wrote:

ppw3o6r wrote:

Lexi wrote:

) )

Well I did go by the name of Alex when I was younger....and I am 6"+ - but I swear I don't lay bricks.... or have to stand up when I pee....

Well I'm also 6ft +, do lay bricks & so don't have to stand up when I pee either...too crude??

Nah, however if you had posted pics ........ )

So, when are peeps going to this then....?

danjaq_0ff · March 2012

He aint called Donkey for the size of his ears

:v

ppw3o6r · March 2012

danjaq_0ff wrote:

He aint called Donkey for the size of his ears :v

When we build "IT", peeps will come....enough said methinks!

Moore Than · March 2012

The evening suit worn by Sean Connery in Dr No is to be recreated by it's original tailor's - Anthony Sinclair - for the Barbican exhibition. The evening suit formed the signature look for all of the James Bond's that were to follow.

Exhaustive research has been carried out to enable the tailor's to faithfully reproduce the original in time for the exhibition in July. The finished product will be unveiled on 6th July.

The FULL article.
Bond's original suit to be recreated for Barbican exhibition
http://www.mi6-hq.com/news/index.php?itemid=10074&t=mi6&s=news

Moore Than · April 2012

The James Bond exhibition will move to Toronto when it's run at the Barbican in London is complete.

The Toronto International Film Festival has announced that Designing 007 - Fifty Years of Bond Style, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of a film that started with Sean Connery's "shaken and not stirred" performance in 1962's Dr No - will be held at the TIFF Bell Lightbox from October 26th to January 20th 2013.

The FULL article.
James Bond exhibition headed to Toronto
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/04/04/james-bond-exhibit-headed-to-the-tiff-bell-lightbox-in-toronto/

AdamCarterJones · April 2012

Really looking forward to this ... Even though it will be tiny in comparison to what it could be, I think it will be very worthwhile to all Bond fans!

Moore Than · April 2012

The BBC is advertising the Barbican exhibition with a slideshow of nine photo's that feature all the Bond's except George Lazenby.

Licence to Thrill: 50 years of James Bond style
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17623609

AdamCarterJones · April 2012

Moore Than wrote:

The BBC is advertising the Barbican exhibition with a slideshow of nine photo's that feature all the Bond's except George Lazenby.

Licence to Thrill: 50 years of James Bond style
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17623609

Lazenby won't like that!

ppw3o6r · April 2012

bondposters.com wrote:

Really looking forward to this ... Even though it will be tiny in comparison to what it could be, I think it will be very worthwhile to all Bond fans!

You may be surprised when you see how tiny it isn't taking into account that the majority of the vehicles will remain exhibited at Beaulieu. The title "Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style sums up the as yet unreleased archive content quite well.

Moore Than · April 2012

Private hire for corporate hospitality is available throughout the exhibition's run. The package includes exclusive hire of Designing 007 and of the Conservatory and Garden Room prior to the exhibition, canapes and bowl food reception, alcoholic and soft drinks served throughout the evening and event management and hosts in attendance.

The FULL article.
Barbican 'Designing 007' corporate packages now available
http://www.mi6-hq.com/news/index.php?itemid=10127&t=mi6&s=news

Moore Than · June 2012

Two of Sean Connery's original Bond suits designed by the late Savile Row tailor Anthony Sinclair have been recreated by David Mason for the Barbican exhibition. Aspiring spies can order off the rack versions for £750 ($940) or visit the shop for tailored suits starting at £2,000.

The FULL article.
Savile Row Tailor Recreates James Bond's First Suits
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-05-31/savile-row-tailor-recreates-james-bonds-first-suits

The Domino Effect · June 2012

Has anyone heard anything about any official "Designing 007" merchandise being produced to accompany the exhibition?

Moore Than · July 2012

007.com has released two videos exploring the design of Bond's world and look to promote the Barbican exhibition. Contributions from Sir Ken Adam, Lindy Hemming, and Aston Martin's head of design Marek Reichman, amongst others.

DESIGNING BOND'S WORLD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCwEjjzJiUs&feature=player_embedded

DESIGNING BOND'S LOOK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF8drqFEvBQ&feature=player_embedded

Moore Than · July 2012

Here are two photo's from the exhibition. A waxwork Sean Connery Bond leans against the Aston Martin DB5, and a recreation of the famous scene where Jill Masterson (Shirley Eaton) is covered in gold paint.

Napoleon Plural · July 2012

Well, I attended the press preview from 10am to 1pm today.

It's impressive.

It also works well in the Barbican, a sprawling 1960s-style building that feels very retro, though it's easy to get lost. Even the loos look like a Ken Adam set.

A great many rooms devoted to props, story boards, outfits and jewellery from the films. It opens with the Aston Martin DB5 and a lifestyle model of Connery's Bond in grey suit leaning against it, with a diorama from the Alpine road of Goldfinger, modelled on that famous photograph (oh, ok, see post above!)

I won't detail all of it, to keep some surprises. But you have plenty of appropriate clips from the films to go alongside the artefacts. One of my favourite rooms, ironically, isn't to do with the films but shows books with Chopping's design, plus a wall given over to Ian Fleming and his history and contacts, like it's some sort of briefing display.

I can see why photos might not be allowed - I mean, you'd just be stood among a load of flashlights by fans.

Oh, there's then a display of Bond's different passports according to actor, each giving the date of birth of the actor playing him (though only Dalton, Brozzer and Craig). We have a mock-up of M's office, while above on the ceiling, brilliantly co-ordinated clips from different films featuring M are shown.

Bond's address is given as 16 Horseferry Road, for those contributing to the Bond's pad discussion in the Skyfall forum.

The Aston is the only car in the exhibition (you have to go to Beaulieu for the others) but Q's corridor is pretty great stuff, lots of gadgets though all in all Dalton's films don't seem very glamorous at all in retrospect (or at the time either). Still, they're all represented. Sometimes you can't quite be sure if it's an original or a reproduction (though one amusing caption is for the model of the reclining golden girl, saying 'Reproduction' - I don't suppose they killed Shirley Eaton especially for the exhibition).

Perhaps more costumes than some would like, but they're all pretty much there. Do be careful not to miss out on the Ice Room, which is on a different floor to the others, you go down to Cinema 1, and there you have the Ice Palace, outfits from the skiing films like OHMSS, FYEO and TWINE.

There is a sort of Bond shop, but it aint up to much really. Some of the Bond items are a bit tenuous or kind of tacky, what you'd buy for a kid Bond fan. The only real novelty was a book called Ian Fleming's covers, is just pics of rarity book covers, little or no text, for £20, which I hadn't seen before. Otherwise, a pen marked 007, 50th anniversary key ring, the Solitaire tarot cards for £20, Simon Winder's book on Bond, a chocolate gun not branded Bond, that nifty little book entitled Bond Villains, and so on.

Anyway, this is probably the best Bond exhibition I've seen, though personally nothing really beats sitting down with your fave film on DVD and a glass of your favourite tipple, there is a slight hollowness to seeing all these props, and it does bring it home to you that Bond is a six footer (I'm 5 8) as the Aston is really quite a large car, and a lot of the suits seem pretty big too.

Oh, I noticed a couple of errors: Fleming's house is referred to as 'GoldenEye' but the cap was added for the film, and the Madagascar chase wasn't the pts of Casino Royale.

Until 5 September, Tickets £12, under 16s £8.

Lady Rose · July 2012

Sounds excellent Naps. Thanks for the review.

I'm really going to have to make the effort to see this.

( there is a private viewing tonight that Barbara Broccoli is attending. Wonder who else will turn up ?? ...
Timothy Dalton is in town and he, Maryam D'Abo and Barbara Broccoli all attended a 'Chariots of Fire ' thing on Tuesday .... )

Napoleon Plural · July 2012

Should also point out, on a nice day it's a nice short walk north of St Paul's and St Paul's Tube, with iconic architecture like Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern and so on. So no real need to head to Barbican Tube, which is a bit out of the way for some, St Paul's is on the Central Line.

And it's in Barbican Centre, where the library is, not the Exhibition parts.

Lexi · July 2012

Napoleon Plural wrote:

Should also point out, on a nice day it's a nice short walk north of St Paul's and St Paul's Tube, with iconic architecture like Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern and so on. So no real need to head to Barbican Tube, which is a bit out of the way for some, St Paul's is on the Central Line.

And it's in Barbican Centre, where the library is, not the Exhibition parts.

How long is it on for... and do you have to get tickets? If so, on-line, or on the door?

London Barbican James Bond Exhibition

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