This is Tomorrow

Pioneering multi-disciplinary exhibition which radically affected architectural and artistic practice in the 1950s. Scarce catalogue for the landmark exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery (9 August - 9 September 1956), which signalled the birth of British Pop Art. 'This is Tomorrow' was organised by architect and writer Theo Crosby, who proposed an exhibition based on a model of collaborative art practice. The 38 participants included architects James Stirling, Alison and Peter Smithson, and Erno Goldfinger; artists Eduardo Paolozzi, Victor Pasmore, Sarah Jackson, Mary Martin, Nigel Henderson, Richard Hamilton and other members of the Independent Group; and architectural critic Reyner Banham formed 12 mixed groups who each worked together towards the production of an installation exploring the 'modern' way of living characterised by mass production, use of novel materials, and the daily maintenance of living space and the built environment.

Such an example of collaboration was still unusual at the time but provided a blueprint for a cross-disciplinary collaborative approach in architecture and art; the ripples of influence it created over 60 years ago still resonate today.

First edition, one of 1300 copies; square 8vo (165 x 165 mm, 6½ x 6½ in); illustrated throughout in black and white, design by Edward Wright slight age-toning to leaves; original spiral-bound printed wrappers, white and dark brown lettering to front, a near-fine example in an blue cloth drop-back box; [126]pp.