Opening in time for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Our Londinium 2012 is the largest update to the Museum’s Roman gallery since it opened in 1994 and explores the parallels between Roman London and the today’s modern capital. The updates range from video installations to rarely-seen Roman artefacts, including a bust of Hadrian which was found on the Thames foreshore and is now in the British Museum’s collection. The bust will be on display at the Museum of London until January 2013.

In addition, modern objects will show the similarities and differences between Roman Londinium and 21st century London. These include decorative nails from Dalston nail bar WAH Nails which show how modern day and Roman Londoners express identity through fashion, while V for Vendetta masks worn by protesters in the Occupy movement and protest placards from the recent ‘March for the Alternative’ examine issues of power and authority, past and present.

The young people curating the exhibition are part of Junction, the Museum of London’s youth panel. Members of Junction worked closely with Museum of London staff to choose objects, write text panels and even appointed Olly Gibbs, the illustrator responsible for the exhibition’s visual identity. Other young people from a number of partner organisations across London have created artistic content for the exhibition.

Further information

Our Londinium 2012 opens 22nd June 2012 until 2014 – when the Museum’s new Roman Galleries are planned to launch – and admission is FREE. Our Londinium 2012 is part of London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme Stories of the World.