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.

The printed wrapper lists the exhibition's participants and the following statement:
'An exhibition is to take place at the Whitechapel from 9th August to 9th September, 1956 which will result from the direct co-operation of architects, painters, sculptors and others.
The object of this exhibition is to explore the common ground between art and architecture and to search for that unity of vision and total sense of environment which alone can make further development possible. This exploration is one of ideas. To enlarge the existing art work to an architectural scale is, of course, meaningless.... As a point of departure for further experiment the exhibition should be valuable and controversial, and show a new interpretation of materials and space.'

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; (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 covers, white and burgundy lettering to upper side, light wear to extremities, with an original kraft paper wrapper printed in black, near-fine; [126]pp.