Century City explored the relationship between cultural creativity and the metropolis, by focusing on nine cities from around the world at specific moments over the previous hundred years.
The cities and periods are:
- Bombay / Mumbai 1992–2001
- Lagos 1955–70
- London 1990–2001
- Moscow 1916–30
- New York 1969–74
- Paris 1905–15
- Rio de Janeiro 1955–69
- Tokyo 1969–73
- Vienna 1908–18
All of these cities, at particular periods, have acted as crucibles for innovation, not only in art but in other disciplines, from architecture and dance, to film, literature, music and design.
While each of the nine cities featured here generated a distinct artistic culture, they can also be seen as emblematic of wider global tendencies. Century City is a celebration of creative flashpoints, the pivotal artistic and intellectual movements that have emerged in and reflect the context of the metropolis.