Somerset House are at the forefront of events in the capital and always looking for something inventive in the film and art world, so we’d like to direct you towards In The Beginning Was The End, it’s a truly fascinating project that is a large-scale site responsive promenade production, inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci, The Book of Revelation and the ever-evolving world of Mechatronics.
The starting point for In The Beginning Was The End was a Leonardo Da Vinci drawing, entitled “A Cloudburst of Material Possessions”: a surreal and apocalyptic vision depicting a torrential downpour of man-made objects. It is an image of man’s obsession with materialism and mass production at the expense of spiritual growth.
Leonardo was obsessed with mechanics, a science he described as “the noblest and useful above all others”. For him it was the root of all man-made creations that have motion. He was also aware that humanity might abuse science: it might be a gateway to discovery, or it might become a trigger our own self-destruction. Like the Book of Revelation, Leonardo’s drawing is a forewarning; is this end of the world or the start of a new world?
Threading its way through the maze-like underground passages that link King’s College with Somerset House, In The Beginning Was The End creates a series of journeys through calamitous, sometimes bizarre, accidents and divine revelations. Mixing Leonardo-inspired hydraulics and modern mechanical engineering with dreamthinkspeak’s special blend of film, installation and live performance, it reveals a vision of the world either on the verge of collapse – or the brink of rebirth.
dreamthinkspeak will take over previously unseen areas of Kings College and Somerset House. The project is led by Tristan Sharps, the dreamthinkspeak core team of makers and builders will collaborate with engineers, 3D video practitioners, electronic hackers and lab technicians from King’s College Physics department, seamlessly interweaving a range of technologies into the production.
In The Beginning Was The End is co-commissioned by Somerset House Trust, King’s Cultural Institute and TippingPoint. Sponsored by Bloomberg. Supported by Arts Council England.
We think it’s astonishingly fascinating and further information can be found, right here:
BOOK ONLINE NOW
or call 020 7452 3000
(booking with National Theatre)
For information about times & tickets CLICK HERE
For general information CLICK HERE
Dates: 28 January – 30 March 2013
Times: Timed entry slots from 6.30pm nightly Mon – Sat
Prices: £19.50, £24.50
Please note:
There is male and female nudity in the production.
The show is not suitable for children under 12, 12 – 16 year olds must be accompanied by an adult. This is a promenade performance where you will be on your feet throughout – please wear comfortable footwear.
