As varied as picnic rituals around the globe are, so too is the variety of utensils designed specifically for the occasion: beautifully decorated Japanese lacquer picnic sets from the 1800s from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, for example, indicate their use by a sophisticated courtly society. Elegantly sturdy leather suitcases from the Louis Vuitton company were developed in France for car and motorcycle trips to the countryside, while designer products made of plastic stand for pragmatic comfort. Specially conceived tables and chairs, clothing, fans and umbrellas complete the selection.
The picnic is part of the cultural practice of all social classes, can be refined ritual as well as casual everyday practice. Whether at a high society event or a happy country outing, sharing food and drink connects and creates community; picnicking in nature is characterized by playful freedom; it can facilitate relaxation, informality, and, at best, the transcendence of social differences.
Even the ancient Greeks appreciated it, and at the latest with the invention of the picnic basket in 18th-century England, outdoor dining became a social event. Currently, a revival of the picnic can be observed especially in the western cities, whether at the stylishly arranged "Dîner en Blanc" or at cheerful excursions into the countryside with child, cone and folding grill.
Picnic Time is the first major exhibition to deal comprehensively with the phenomenon of the picnic and follows the fascination of dining outdoors across different times and cultures. For example, what does a sumptuous meal look like during the royal rowing regatta in Henley, England, how do you picnic on the highest mountains in the world, in the Orient or in cherry blossom Japan? On more than 1,000 square metres of exhibition space, picnic utensils of the most diverse shapes, types and origins, numerous objects, installations, photographs and films tell of the rich variety of a popular cultural practice.
An extensive catalogue of 396 pages with 400 illustrations is published to accompany the exhibition. Contributions by internationally renowned experts discuss and elaborate on the many themes of the multifaceted exhibition. The catalogue is available at the museum at a price of 29 euros, in bookshops it costs 32 euros.
Text source and further information at: http://www.museumangewandtekunst.de/de/museum/ausstellungen/picknick-zeit.html
