大象传媒

The title is a reference to Civilisation, almost fifty years ago. That landmark offered one man’s personal view of western European civilisation, from the end of the Dark Ages onwards. It was partly conceived by David Attenborough, then controller of , to demonstrate the potential of colour television.

David Olusoga, Mary Beard and Simon Schama

The three presenters bring differing opinions and different perspectives to bear on the stories they tell.

The new series (also in colour but now high definition!) ranges more widely, featuring African, Asian, American as well as European cultures to explore how human creativity began and developed, how civilisations around the world influenced one another and how artists have depicted the human form and the natural world.

The three presenters bring differing opinions and different perspectives to bear on the stories they tell.

presents five of the nine programmes, taking us from Paleolithic cave painting to the studio of contemporary artist Anselm Kiefer, with the other presenters taking charge of two each.

employs his expertise in Empire and military history to look at the relationships between global cultures and at the notion of Progress.

As one of our most eminent Classicists, ’s explorations of the way we see ourselves in art and of the relationship between art and religion naturally take in Greek and Roman examples but also material from China, India and Mexico.

For each presenter the series provides powerful and moving firsthand encounters with art. David Olusoga travels to Nigeria to see the technique behind the Benin Bronzes which he was taken to see in the British Museum as a child. Mary Beard climbs one of the Colossi of Memnon in Egypt which she says she has waited half her life to see up close. In Japan, Simon Schama apologises for his shaking hands as he examines an image he describes as almost perfect.

For the viewer too the series is a rare treat, offering what feels like private access to countless remarkable prints, paintings, sculptures and photographs as well as astonishing architecture.

The new 大象传媒 Two series Civilisations is undoubtedly the TV arts event of the year, with presenters Mary Beard, David Olusoga and Simon Schama each bringing their unique and differing perspectives.

Mary and Simon appeared in front of a live audience at the National Gallery where Kirsty Wark quizzed them on the making of the series. Given that it took three years to make, involved trips to 31 different countries, and features over 500 spectacular artworks, there was plenty to discuss!

Their conversation is or via the Red Button on your TV.

The Civilisations Festival takes place from 2-11 March and comprises events staged by over 250 museums, galleries, libraries and archives.

These unique events, which will address the question of what civilisation means to local communities, will be .

Mary Beard will also be celebrating museums on 大象传媒 Two in Civilisations On Our Doorstep. "Our museums are cabinets of curiousities and it’s going to be great fun exploring that and opening them up, celebrating the treasures we’ve got here."

Explore the tales of museum's treasures and experience their objects in 3-D with a new AR (augmented reality) app, developed with the expertise of 大象传媒 Research and Development.

Other features will include:

X-ray - see through or inside an object, such as through a sarcophagus to the mummy within;
Restoration - rub through the layers of history, bringing lustre to a metal chalice or colour to a faded sculpture;
Navigation - browse the exhibition geographically using an AR globe, or thematically via the themes of the series.

The app is available free to and to . At launch it will contain around 30 items, including world famous pieces like the Rosetta Stone and Rodin’s The Kiss.

TV and radio stations, both network and local, will broadcast related programmes including specially-commissioned performances, profiles of artists generally neglected by history and films celebrating some of civilisation’s discontents.

Rapper Akala will bring multi-sensory narrative The Ruins of Empires to 大象传媒 Two.

There will be 11 regional documentaries focusing on the stories of civilisations told through local collections.

For example Bristol’s first poet laureate Miles Chambers will be presenting The Remains of Slavery.

大象传媒 Radio 3 is taking the spirit of the TV series and applying it to music on programmes like .

The will keep you regularly updated with more information on the full range of content on offer.