Learning Exhibition Access Tour
British Sign Language Tour: Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style
Join us for a group tour of highlights of the exhibition Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style for D/deaf visitors who use British Sign Language and their companions, facilitated by Edward Richards.
What to expect
Explore a new exhibition celebrating our century-long love affair with swimming and the influence of design on everything from swimwear to art deco architecture.
Across three in-depth sections that reflect the three locations in which we swim — the pool, the lido and nature — the exhibition dives into design’s role in shaping our relationship with swimming, both in the water and beside it. The exhibition’s story begins in the 1920s, when swimwear began to be marketed for swimming rather than the Victorian’s preference for bathing, and when beach holidays exploded in popularity. It explores swimming’s role in modern life, right up to the present day, such as how it influences and subverts our ideas of body autonomy and agency, as well as its link to environmental issues.
This group tour will explore highlights of the exhibition with the aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of full spectrum of the design of swimming — from sports performance and fashion, to architecture.
Subversive Sirens
The Seagull and the Windbreak. © ABIR Architects. Photo courtesy of Richard Rowland
Swimsuits by Rebirth Garments. Photo by Colectivo Multipolar. Modelled by Sky Cubacub and Nina Litoff. Photo: © Sky Cubacub
Book online
Booking information
Adult: £5
Member: £5
Carer: Free
• Pre-booking is required as places are limited
• Individuals can purchase a maximum of 4 tickets. If you require a hearing companion, please add a Carer ticket to your order
• Suitable Age: 12 +. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible, ticket-holding adult
• Assistance dogs are welcome
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Visit our Terms & Conditions page for further information.
Facilitator
Edward Richards
Richards studied Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Arts and since 2002 has enjoyed delivering British Sign Language tours in museums and galleries to the Deaf community. In addition, he has given socio-documentary photography talks on artists including Robert Frank and Elton John’s ‘The Radical Eye’ exhibition at Tate Modern.
The exhibition
Background image: Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style exhibition. Willi & Toukie Smith designer & model. NYC 1978. Photo courtesy of Anthony Barboza.