‘Metamorphosis: Titian 2012’ – featuring new work by contemporary artists Chris Ofili, Conrad Shawcross and Mark Wallinger in a unique collaboration with The Royal Ballet.
This multi-arts project, part of the Cultural Olympiad’s London 2012 Festival, will draw on the powerful stories of change found in Titian’s masterpieces, revealing how these spectacular paintings continue to inspire living artists.
14 Jul 2012 — 20 Jul 2012
The Royal Ballet and the National Gallery is a highlight of the London
Metamorphosis: Titian 2012 – The Royal Ballet
14 Jul 2012 — 20 Jul 2012
This unique collaboration between The Royal Ballet and the National Gallery is a highlight of the London 2012 Festival. It brings together new choreography, music, poetry and visual arts.
A multi-faceted experience celebrating British creativity across the arts, ‘Metamorphosis: Titian 2012’ brings together a group of specially commissioned works responding to three of Titian’s paintings – Diana and Actaeon, The Death of Actaeon and the recently acquired Diana and Callisto – which depict stories from Ovid’s epic poem ‘Metamorphoses’. The three paintings, displayed at the heart of the exhibition, will be seen together for the first time since the 18th century.
Melissa Hamilton and the Royal Ballet in Trespass photo Johan Persson courtesy of Roh
Contemporary artists
Contemporary artists Chris Ofili, Conrad Shawcross and Mark Wallinger will be creating new work for the exhibition at the National Gallery. The display, which includes set designs and costumes for three new ballets at The Royal Opera House, will reveal how they have responded to Titian’s masterpieces.
Choreographers, composers and dancers
Top British choreographers, dancers and composers have collaborated with the artists to create an evening of three new works, performed at The Royal Opera House by The Royal Ballet in July 2012.
On 16 July the performance will be simultaneously relayed on BP Summer Big Screens in Trafalgar Square and 18 other venues across the UK. Find your nearest screening.
Poets
Leading poets including Carol Ann Duffy, Seamus Heaney and Simon Armitage have been commissioned by the National Gallery to respond to Ovid’s text and Titian’s paintings. Discover how they have been inspired in the accompanying publication Metamorphosis: Poems Inspired by Titian.
Watch the poets reading their Titian-inspired poems.
About ‘Metamorphoses’
Roman poet Ovid’s (43 BC–17 AD) 15 book poem was written in Latin and features the story of Diana, which inspired Titian’s three great paintings. Based on the theme of ‘change’ (‘Metamorphoses’ means ‘transformations’ in Greek), these mythical tales were as renowned in Titian’s day as Bible stories, and were a popular source of inspiration for many Renaissance artists.
Nuñez as Diana with nymphs, all images ROH/ Johan Persson courtesy of Roh
Metamorphosis: Titian 2012
The Royal Ballet
14 Jul 2012 — 20 Jul 2012
This unique collaboration between The Royal Ballet and the National Gallery is a highlight of the London 2012 Festival. It brings together new choreography, music, poetry and visual arts.
©2012 Danza Ballet
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