The Threads of Feeling exhibiton which has been so deservedly successful and which is nearing the end ff its run at the Foundling Hospital, is now available to view online. My review of the exhibit can be accessed here.
If you go here you will be taken to a slide show, accompanied by a soundtrack of 18th century ballads which helps put the contents of the slides into context. Each slide shows in great detail a piece of ribbon or fabric, one of the tokens which were kept in the Billet Books of the Foundling Museum and which were deposited by the mothers of the babies, just in case they were ever in a position to be able to return to retrieve their child and needed to identify it. Details of the fabric are also listed.
The quality of the photographs is stunning and every detail of the fabric can be seen. Do access it, especially if you have no hope of going to see the exhibit before it closes on the 6th March
9 comments
February 4, 2011 at 1:32 pm
deana@lostpastremembered
Great exhibit… I just wish they put the dates next to the samples… I think all museums should be doing this so that people everywhere can attend… virtually. There is a lot of inspiration to be found here for anyone who makes fabric patterns.
February 4, 2011 at 5:24 pm
jfwakefield
Yes, I do agree, Deana. Ive always admired the way the Tate Britain museum has a very detailed accompanying online exhibition to its main exhibits.I so wish more museums would adopt this policy, especially as now access from all over the world gives them a global audience.
February 4, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Janeite Deb
Oh Julie, thanks for sharing this with us – what a lovely exhibition – the beautiful fabrics, yet all so sad with the scraps of notes visible to see parts of names and histories – and then that institutional number… and the accompanying music – I am sitting here at work and find myself crying…
I will indeed miss this exhibit, so thank you once again for the link.
Deb
February 4, 2011 at 5:21 pm
jfwakefield
Hello my lovely Deb!Isn’t it a wonderful example of allowing ALL of us take part in an exhibition? Marvellous.
I’m not sure if you saw my post about my visit to the exhibit, so I’m linking it here for you.
February 5, 2011 at 1:18 am
Cathy Allen
I agree with Deb — the tears flowed as I watched, as they always have whenever I see anything posted about this exhibit. So poignant, and so many textiles that are clearly made or embellished with great love! Thank you Julie, for providing the link.
February 6, 2011 at 1:05 pm
jfwakefield
I knew you’d love this on-line version of the exhibit, Cathy. My pleasure.
February 6, 2011 at 1:15 am
Caitlin
Thank you so much- I loved it, and I cannot wait for my book at arrive so I can learn more about this. Heart rending , notes with the babies, their names on the wrist ribbons and reduced to being numbers.
February 8, 2011 at 10:30 am
imogen88
They are wonderfully honouring this tribute to the past, in such a respectful way it will move everyone for years to come. I love it when these things are handled so carefully and are so well done. Kudos to everyone involved, and Julie for keeping us up to date. Will pass the link on.
February 9, 2011 at 9:03 pm
jfwakefield
I agree, they have lavished care and attention on this exhibit. Thanks for passing it on, Moni.