Become Alice in Wonderland at new exhibition in Barcelona showcasing novel's famous history

Barcelona is about to venture down the Rabbit Hole, enjoy tea with the Mad Hatter, and explore century-old originals of Alice in Wonderland. A new exhibition at CaixaForum opens this Friday and runs until February 16, depicting the novel's iconic history.

The exhibition, titled Els mons d'Alicia. Somiar el país de les meravelles (Alice's Worlds, Dreaming in Wonderland), focuses on the origins, adaptations, and artistic reinventions of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland throughout its history, including contemporary interpretations.

The show features 312 objects and artworks, ranging from originals to 21st-century-inspired elements, making it one of the most extensive exhibitions on the Alice novels, which were born almost 160 years ago. It has been curated by London's Victoria & Albert Museum.

"This exhibition takes you into Wonderland, so it looks at the impact and legacy of Alice's adventures in Wonderland and how the book has inspired across time, across scale, and across media. So we look at a journey through the books and how the book has inspired fashion, photography, art, and films.," Kate Bailey, a curator and producer at V&A, told Catalan News.

The character of Alice is described as a "rebellious heroine" and a "modern superwoman, driven by curiosity and disruption" as she navigates "a fantastic yet absurd world.".

Lewis Carroll wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in 1865, and since then, it has been translated into 170 languages, becoming a staple in global literature. The exhibition explores why this Victorian-era character remains significant today. The novel also reflects the cultural clash and societal changes between Alice and the new world she encounters.

"The interesting thing about the exhibition is that we celebrate Alice," Bailey said regarding the exposition opening at CaixaForum in Barcelona.

"Alice was a Victorian heroine, but her story, life, curiosity, and courage are inspiring today. So, we look at how Alice and the stories continue to inspire us in the 21st century. She is an interesting role model for today," Bailey added.

Through the Rabbit Hole

Visitors will be invited to step into Alice's shoes and walk down the Rabbit Hole as part of the immersive experience. This marks the first section of the show, where attendees will follow Alice's journey through texts, screens, and audiovisual elements.

Unique moments include recreations of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, the Pool of Tears, and encounters with the Card Soldiers, among many others. The exhibition follows the 12-chapter structure of the novel and is divided into five different areas, guiding visitors through time, space, games, and contemplation of Wonderland.

After the Rabbit Hole, visitors will enter a space designed as a Victorian-era library. Around the exhibition, they will encounter John Tenniel's original illustrations, which were created for the first edition of the book and represent the earliest creative interpretations of Alice. Among these are drawings of the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, Humpty Dumpty, and Alice herself.

The exhibition also showcases modern adaptations of Carroll's novels, including Disney’s 1951 animated film and Tim Burton’s reinterpretation. Visitors can also watch the first-ever movie adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a 1903 silent film directed by Cecil Hepworth and Percy Stow, which was released just five years after Carroll's death. At around 10 minutes long, it was one of the longest films of its time in Great Britain and featured early cinematic techniques to recreate Alice's shrinking and other visual effects based on Tenniel's illustrations.

A new approach

CaixaForum’s exhibition places the Alice novels in a modern context, including works by surrealist artists like Catalonia’s Salvador Dalí, Germany’s Max Ernst, Britain’s Edward Burra and Marion Adnams, and Japan’s contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama.

Attendees will also get to see Aldous Huxley’s original script proposal for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, even though his version was never produced. Additionally, Peter Blake’s silkscreen prints and works by John Armstrong and Ralph Steadman will be on display.

Among the highlights are futuristic costumes designed for Alice and the White Rabbit, originally created for London's National Theatre production in 2015 and the Royal Opera House's 2011 performances.

The Becoming Alice section focuses on new and contemporary interpretations of Carroll’s character in modern settings, including fashion designs, magazine covers, and other 21st-century cultural references.

Who is Alice?

Alice's Adventures began in 1862 when Carroll entertained Alice Liddell and her sisters with a new story during a "golden afternoon." What was initially thought to be a children’s book has since become a cultural touchstone, exploring themes such as politics and information in the Victorian era.

Carroll, whose real name was Charles Dodgson, was inspired by his life at Oxford University and the world around him. His novels reflect the societal transformations of his time, from industrialization to globalization.

Alice's night

The exhibition Els mons d'Alicia. Somiar el país de les meravelles will also feature several events related to the show, including Nit de l'Alícia (Alice’s Night), where live music will accompany the nighttime experience. Other activities include literary talks and Tea Time with Alice, which will run from October 30 to November 23.

Participants can also take part in the Looking for Alice workshop, where they will drink a potion to shrink, walk upside down, celebrate an unbirthday party, and embody the Cheshire Cat, famous for its ability to disappear and reappear at will.