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The Institute of Contemporary
Arts, the ICA, was formed in 1947 to provide British artists
with the kind of the facilities available to United States
artists at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
On opening in 1948, the art
historian and critic Herbert Read declared that the ICA would
be different from all other galleries,l and this is still
true now with a reputation as challenging venue for all forms
of artistic expression.
Many leading artists first exhibited
their works in London at the ICA, including Pablo Picasso,
Henry Moore and Damien Hirst.
The ICA was one of the first
galleries to show photography and photo-generated imagery
and in the 1960's it was the first gallery to launch Pop artists
such as David Hockney and Peter Blake.
The annual 'Becks Futures' art
prize, the biggest arts prize in Britain, has been staged
here since 1999.
Originally on Dover Street, the
ICA moved into part of Carlton House Terrace in 1968.
Dating from 1833, this beautiful, building was designed by
John Nash just before his death in 1835.
Entered from the Mall,
the ICA contains a cinema, auditorium, art gallery, bookshop,
bar and fine restaurant.
The Upper Gallery holds exhibitions
representing avant-garde work, but the Concourse Gallery,
by the café, attracts more attention.
In 1997 a New Media Centre
was opened at the gallery.
The ICA hosts lectures, concerts,
films and plays.
Admission charge
, free entrance to shop.
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