I'd read a few reviews and was impressed by the creative handling of the project, lead by Bill Mitchell. The theme of the exhibition was discovery, as the palace went through its renovations new secrets were uncovered and the rituals and lives of its princesses are told in a unique way.
There were some introductions to the exhibition on the way in (as can be seen in the pictures.) An iron gate in the gardens hung with different keys, and a tree encased in a decorative mirrored vine that ran upwards, which I really liked. Cabinets in the entrance hall held an amalgamation of items which were left up to the visitor to interpret. My only criticism of the exhibition would be about the historical paintings on the walls of the rooms, their significance and relevance I think had been overlooked.
The rooms were transformed with ambient lighting, dancing shadows, children's whispers, tree's, footprints, filled fireplaces, and mirrors. There was one room of suspended headwear, a stairwell with a dress designed by Vivienne Westwood titled 'A dress for a rebellious princess' and a room with a dress displayed mid-flight by William Tempest. It is hung above a doorway and is formed buy hundreds of paper cranes.
The leaflet guide was aptly designed in a hand-drawn style with a scribbled buried treasure looking map on the reverse. Pages were left for children to collect information and respond to the exhibition.
I suppose it was letting your imagination run wild within the history - allowing yourself the opportunity to enter the worlds of the Princesses or more likely entering their dreams?
Inspiring nonetheless its a visual feast of inspiration, with a pinch of escapism. I think its exactly what I needed.
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