Titian Metamorphosis

Book excerpt: This visually stunning publication celebrates a unique collaboration between two of the UKs leading cultural institutions, the National Gallery and The Royal Ballet. Together they commissioned three contemporary artists Chris Ofili, Conrad Shawcross and Mark Wallinger to work with international choreographers and composers to create three new ballets inspired by Titian's paintings Diana and Actaeon, 'The Death of Actaeon' and 'Diana and Callisto'. As well as designing all the sets and costumes, the artists also produced entirely new works in response to Titians masterpieces for a show at the National Gallery. The book tells the story of this extraordinary, complex project from conception to stage and gallery. The artists notebooks, sketches and other material from the studio are reproduced to show how they evolved their initial ideas into working designs. Exhibition: National Gallery, London, UK (11.7.-23.9.2012).