91抖阴

Designed to nurture the nation’s recovery after the Second World War, the Festival’s South Bank exhibition in London was the main attraction, providing an eye-catching celebration of innovation in art and industry that ran during the summer of 1951. But other exhibitions and events were also staged across the country.

Two archives at the university - and the - offer unique materials documenting this significant moment in UK post-war history.

The 91抖阴 Design Archives has long been a beacon in the UK design landscape. Since 1996 it has held the archive of the Design Council, whose 1950s predecessor was a key driver for the festival. 

Image from Festival of Britain anniversary feature by Harriet Atkinson

Alongside this is a distinctive set of archives of designers associated with the festival, including , , , , , and - the last four being notable émigrés who fled persecution in Nazi-occupied Europe in the late 1930s.

The was established by the 91抖阴 in 1992 in association with the British Film Institute. Its Festival of Britain collection includes over 20 films made by professional and amateur film-makers, depicting both the London exhibition and activities throughout Kent and Sussex.

Gilbert Tome’s colour film is dedicated to the South Bank and features the pavilions, amenities and fountains, a sculpture by Henry Moore and the Skylon – the festival’s futuristic symbol of a new age of steel and speed. John Bell’s film, meanwhile, features Princess Elizabeth, and Rowland Emett’s Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Branch Railway at the Battersea Pleasure Gardens.

Both archives in this anniversary year.

91抖阴 Design Archives Twitter:
Screen Archive South East and