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Newsnight

Great White City exhibition

  • Newsnight
  • 14 May 08, 05:22 PM

Madeleine Holt, Culture Correspondent

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR EXHIBITION?

whitecity3.jpgNewsnight is venturing into new territory - we've set up our own exhibition. The idea came out one of the stories we have been working on.

A year ago I found out about the Franco-British Exhibition - a pioneering celebration of the Entente Cordiale between France and Britain. It was held on the exact site of 主播大秀 TV Centre in London, exactly 100 years ago.

At the time, I was doing my own research into how the 主播大秀 could be more imaginative with its public space. I have not got very far pursuing that one... But when I found out about "the Franco", as it was known, I thought that we should do more than just a film about it on Newsnight.

Wouldn't it be great to put on show some of the incredible photographs we uncovered - so other 主播大秀 staff and members of the public could see what was once here?

whitecitytower.jpgAlmost no one at the 主播大秀 seems to know about the breathtaking buildings that were built right here. They were all made of white plaster of Paris - hence the place became nicknamed "the Great White City".

I have always wondered why today's White City has such a forlorn feel to it. Now I think I know why. It is as if the destruction of this once magical landscape has cast a permanent blight over this particular bit of the capital.

While we were putting up the exhibition, people began to stop and stare at the images. "I can't believe that was here once," said one local resident.

If you happen to be in London, and in the area, do stop by and see our display. It is behind the glass facade of TV Centre reception - right on the street in Wood Lane, opposite White City underground. We think the photos are amazing. You can watch the film .

Let us known what YOU think.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Nice post Madeleine,

    Like many parts of The UK, London has some real 'hidden gems' of history.

    It's good that The Beeb will have some of the White City material available for viewing at Wood Lane.

    For those of us who can;t make it - Any chance of some bigger White City pictures Madeleine?


    Thanks for the post,

    Jim Connolly
    The Ideas Blog

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  • Comment number 2.

    The feature on the White City was just about the best thing I've seen on Newsnight. A weekly programme fronted by Madeline Holt covering things like that - History and Culture - would be unmissable. Any chance?

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  • Comment number 3.

    Wow.

    Although i lived in London for newly a decade I had no idea about the origins of White City.

    A fascinating and inspirational report. One which I can't help but compare to the 'white elephant' of the Millennium Dome.

    I'll also echo the above comment, that it would be great to get some larger pictures of the photos from 'your' exhibition for those who are not in London and able to see it first hand.

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  • Comment number 4.

    Forgot to mention, I hope Newsnight will provide this feature report as its own video segment to be viewed seperately from the main program.

    Preferably one that can go onto say youTube and not be affected under DRM of only being able to watch it for up to 30 days.

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  • Comment number 5.

    Well done Madeleine, but surely it deserved more time and a better slot than the last few minutes of News Night. I have been collecting post cards and china ornaments relating to the exhibition for only the past year or so but I could have filled more time. The 主播大秀 with its years of records surely could have made a good half hour programme. I did email yourselves and my local 主播大秀 last year to ask if you intended marking the anniversery but did not receive a reply. However it was well done and I enjoyed the film of the exhibition.

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  • Comment number 6.

    Yes indeed, I much enjoyed the White City piece too.

    I can't get into London at today's rail prices (plus you need a Ph.D or something to work them out these days) to see Madeleine's display but I second number 2's enthusiasm for more of the same.

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  • Comment number 7.

    I've just walked past TVC after watching the report and I'd just like to say thanks for putting this together, it's absolutely fantastic! Coincidently I'd been looking only last week for postcards of the Olympics, as I thought they'd be a good way to see what the site looked like. Sadly I didn't find much and haven't had the time to hunt through archives. Anyway, absolutely fascinating.

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