Institute of contemporary arts, London 1946-1968 - Hardcover

The ICA is delighted to present Institute of Contemporary Arts: 1946 1968, the first in-depth examination of this extraordinary period. No other book can claim to capture the founding spirit of this incredible organisation in quite the same way. The early ICA hosted the most important shows in the history of post-war British art, including Growth and Form, Parallel Of Life and Art, and Cybernetic Serendipity, as well as ground-breaking exhibitions by Francis Bacon, Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock. Home to the Independent Group, whose members included Richard Hamilton and Eduardo Paolozzi alongside architects Alison and Peter Smithson, the ICA became the birthplace of Pop Art, Op Art and Brutalist Architecture. Illustrated with previously rare and unseen items from the ICA archive, Institute of Contemporary Arts: 1946 1968 is written by art historian Anne Massey with a foreword by ICA Executive Director Gregor Muir. The timing of this publication is connected to three related events, two of which directly concern Richard Hamilton, a remarkable artist whose work and career is inextricably linked to the ICA. The first is Tate Modern s 2014 Hamilton retrospective, a comprehensive survey show held in the wake of the artist's passing in 2011. The second is a parallel exhibition, Richard Hamilton at the ICA, which is dedicated to two of Hamilton s seminal early installations Man Machine and Motion (1955) and an Exhibit (1957). The third is an ICA Off-Site project, a takeover of Dover Street Market, the former home of the ICA. This publication takes us on a journey from the ICA's origins, to its earliest outings on Oxford Street, its arrival on Dover Street and the eventual move to its present location on The Mall. The supporting text outlines key exhibitions and events, as well as critical responses to the ICA programme at the time. By examining and contemplating these developments, Institute of Contemporary Arts: 1946 - 1968 makes a vital contribution to the history and understanding of contemporary art.

This publication is dedicated to the first two decades of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London, presenting a thorough history of the organisation's roots in post-war Britain, its mission of providing a physical base for the avant-garde, and its laying the groundwork for a continuing contribution to the evolution of contemporary art. Anne Massey's account is comprehensive in its scope, emphasising the ICA's being openly fluid and responsive to fluctuations in artistic culture with groundbreaking exhibitions and very personal approach. Besides a foreword by executive director Gregor Muir, the book includes numerous archival images and a detailed chronology.