Cars: Accelerating the Modern World ★★★★★ Victoria & Albert Museum | Until April 19, 2020


If you are an automobile aficionado, don't miss this exhibition! If you're not, don't miss this exhibition! The cars on display are amazing works of art and brilliant expressions of design, but their story also profoundly influenced our notion of time and space, our economy, the world of work, sport and culture in general. In the one hundred and thirty year history of the automobile it is hard to measure the profound effect they have had on society. Cars have provided freedom from previous time constraints for travel or for getting to and from work, thus changing the tourism industry and creating suburbias. Automobiles have caused the redesign of our urban and rural landscapes and created the petroleum economy, making and breaking national economies. They inspired assembly line production in a variety of industries which in turn influenced the development of unions. Cars created fashions and inspired totally new aesthetics, while also becoming symbols of national identity and prestige. There is so much to learn here, as well as a great opportunity just to appreciate the beauty of these vehicles. Be sure to spend enough time to pick up some of the fascinating footnotes, like the fact that the first choice of fuel for the automobile in the 1890's was electricity and that the first European motorway was constructed in Italy in 1924. The subcultures of Japanese truck decoration and the Latino lowrider are also intriguing. This exhibition has something for everyone, including a prototype flying car. What a great family outing!

Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until April 19, 2020
Mon - Sat: 10 am - 4 pm
Fri: 10 am - 8 pm
Victoria & Albert Museum
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Map & Location: Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL, UK

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