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BRONZE, an exhibition presented by the Royal Academy of Arts and designed by Stanton Williams, will be on show from 15th September to 9th December.

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The exhibition celebrates the remarkable historical, geographical and stylistic range of Bronze as an enduring medium, bringing together works from the earliest times to the present in a thematic arrangement. With works spanning 5,000 years, no such cross-cultural exhibition on this scale has ever been attempted. The exhibition features over 150 of the finest bronzes from Asia, Africa and Europe and will include important discoveries as well as archaeological excavations. Many of the pieces have never been seen in the UK.

Stanton Williams’ exhibition design presents the bronzes as individual objects, reconciling their immense weight, wide range of scales and patinas, whilst allowing space to enjoy the exhibits, carefully displayed for viewers to appreciate and understand their significance. The style and intensity of lighting levels consider the individual bronze, whilst embedding them into the overall atmosphere of the exhibition. The scale of the whole gallery to the detailed design of showcases were considered to create a space for display, founded on the nature of the relationship between object and viewer and an understanding of the way people move through space.

Paul Williams, director at Stanton Williams explains: “Bronze is a very special exhibition to be involved with. Having worked with the material on several of our architectural projects, we have developed a passion for its qualities and respect for its diversity. Our work on exhibitions remains an integral part of our studio, with the detailed use of space, material and light informing our large scale projects and enhancing our creative sense of space.”

Bronze has been employed as an artistic medium for over five millennia. It is an alloy consisting mainly of copper, with lesser amounts of tin, zinc and lead. Due to its inherent toughness and resistance, the material’s uses over the centuries have been remarkably varied. A section of the exhibition is devoted to the complex processes involved in making bronze, enabling visitors to explore how models are made, cast and finished by a variety of different techniques. The exhibition offers a unique exploration of artistic practice, an understanding of the physical properties and distinctive qualities of bronze, and the rare opportunity to see the very best examples in one place.

www.royalacademy.org.uk