New Royal Academy exhibition celebrates history of iconic martini

A new show at the Royal Academy uses art to celebrate the role of the classic cocktail in popular culture
Signature move: Dita Von Teese in a giant martini glass (Picture: Rex)
REX
Rachael Sigee31 July 2014

An exhibition on the history of the martini is taking immersive experiences to new heights — by letting visitors climb into a giant cocktail glass in the manner of Dita Von Teese.

The show, at the Royal Academy, uses art to celebrate the role of James Bond’s favourite drink in popular culture.

Eight public figures and characters who have been linked to the classic cocktail will each be represented by an original installation.

They include Ernest Hemingway, who famously described the “cool and clean” drink in A Farewell To Arms, and Elizabeth Taylor, who was known to order a martini as soon as she arrived on set.

Glass full of fun: the Standard’s Rachael Sigee tries out a giant cocktail glass and shaker at the Martini exhibition (Picture: Alex Lentati)
Alex Lentati

The exhibition, created by Belvedere Vodka, is curated by London College of Fashion graduate Tory Turk. She said she wanted to create a show that involved its visitors in the exhibits.

Her inspiration for the immersive aspects came from the group of Twenties bohemian socialites nicknamed the Bright Young Things, who went on late-night treasure hunts through London.

She said: “People often just walk around exhibitions without really taking it in. But here you have to stop and think and engage.” The giant martini glass is expected to be a popular part of the exhibition, with visitors echoing burlesque star Von Teese’s signature performance — although probably fully clothed.

Favourite tipple: martini fans include Elizabeth Taylor

Tasting sessions will allow guests to try flights of vodka martinis — the cocktail can be made with gin or vodka and vermouth — to compare varieties before choosing their favourite at the pop-up bar.

Other interactive elements include watching a film from inside a giant cocktail shaker, exploring a cupboard full of props, listening to a custom-made soundtrack and sniffing martinis from different eras in “smell pods”. The exhibits will not be labelled. Instead guests will be given a map and clues to work out which artwork represents which person.

Ms Turk said: “I thought it would be great to have bright young things of today re-imagine the martini and craft something new. I’m not a cocktail historian but it’s about taking something that’s been covered before and giving it a beautiful new aesthetic. It’s art not artefacts.”

Drink up: James Bond, played by Daniel Craig (Picture: Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Sony

Claire Smith, head of spirit creation at Belvedere Vodka, said: “What we want people to take away from this is that martinis are an accessible do-able cocktail that they shouldn’t be scared of ordering. If we can give long complicated orders in Starbucks we should be able to do it in bars as well. You don’t have to drink martinis the way James Bond does.”

The artists involved are photographer Jess Bonham, set designers Gemma Tickle and Carrie Louise, film maker Chris Read, band Let The Machines Do The Work and poet Greta Bellamacina.

Legends of the Martini is on at the Royal Academy Senate Rooms, Burlington Gardens from August 1-31, moethennessy-selection.co.uk/belvedere-martini-legends. It is free to visit and a tasting session is £15 per person.

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