Collections
Saturday
Sep222012

London Design Festival

DateSaturday, September 22, 2012

Collections and collectibles were much in evidence at this year's London Design Festival. Whether they be specifically curated displays or mid century modern pieces, this annual event is one of the best places to discover a wide variety of design, design people and of course design parties.

Now in its tenth official year, although some events such as DesignersBlock and 100% Design are older, there was a definite sense of maturity coming through this year. Particularly significant was a noticable blurring of boundaries between antiques and mid century collectibles along with pieces from both established and emerging design talent. Venues such as the V&A and DesignJunction were successfully mixing up old and new design pieces to create eclectic displays that offered new ways of thinking about objects.

It also was great to meet up with the guys behind one of our recent featured collections - Peter and Chris from DasProgram, who had just set up their fabulous Braun installation at DesignJunction (above).

Twentieth Century chairs in the RED exhibition at the Conran Shop

Tape collection of Jasper Morrison (images by Nicola Tree via LinMorris)

Hangers (at Design Junction)

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Friday
Sep142012

LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair at Berkeley Square

DateFriday, September 14, 2012

We are looking forward to visiting the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair in London next week. The internationally renowned event brings together members of the UK's largest association of antiques dealers, with nearly 100 exhibitors assembling in a grand two story tent in the heart of Mayair to showcase a huge range of antiques and collectibles.

Since the first event in Berkeley Square in 2009, the fair has quickly earned its reputation as one of the most important events in the UK art and antiques calendar. Alongside more traditional antiques, this year's fair promises a larger section of contemporary and modern art and design, seen by the organisers as crucial to attracting a younger clientele.

The event, which takes place during the London Design Festival and hot on the heels of London Fashion Week, has a glam factor that has this year been further upped by a new organiser and event partners including 1stdibs.com, the leading online marketplace for antiques, vintage design and luxury goods.

Here's a preview of some of the collector's items that have caught our eye:

Gold and plexiglass earrings and gold and onyx earrings, (2002), Italy (above) and (top image) a collection of rings, (1984-1986), Italy - designed Ettore Sottsass and executed by Cleto Munari - 21st Century Jewels Ltd.

(See Dennis Zanone's extensive collection of Sottsass /Memphis designs featured on Obsessionistas here).

Chevre-pieds jumeaux by Jean Cocteau, (1958), France - Sylvia Powell Decorative Arts.

Scimitar chair by Preben Fabricus and Jorgen Kastholm, (1962), Denmark - Carlisle London Ltd.

A rare Hungarian modernist Silver Tea & coffee service on a silver tray - Smith & Robinson Antiques

 

The LAPADA Fine Art and Antiques Fair, Berkeley Square, London, 19-23 September 2012.

www.lapadalondon.com

AuthorHelen | CommentPost a Comment
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Monday
Aug062012

Triumph and the Pursuit of Perfection

DateMonday, August 6, 2012

While the UK is currently gripped with medal fever, an exhibition at the South London Gallery explores the symbolism of another object associated with personal stories of sporting success - the trophy.

Aleksandra Mir's Triumph is an installation that consists of 2,529 sporting trophies, displayed individually and in groups, on plinths as well as piled up in huge heaps, each one recalling the echo of clapping hands and the image of vigorous bodies.

The project was initiated via a wanted ad seeking unwanted trophies placed by the artist in a Sicilian newspaper. The objects were accumulated over the course of a year and date from the 1970s onwards. A glittering archive of popular culture, the installation exposes the tension between the symbolism of the trophy as an indicator of accomplishment and its physical reality as an often kitsch, garish, mass-produced item of little value.

Triumph is part of The Pursuit of Perfection: The Politics of Sport at the South London Gallery until September 14.

Aleksandra Mir will be discussing her work and current installation in conversation with Alice Rawsthorn (design critic of the International Herald Tribune) at the South London Gallery on Wednesday 12 September at 7pm. It's  a free event but booking is essential. Book online or call 020 7703 6120.

Aleksandra Mir: Triumph, a publication that accompanies the installation is available via Amazon.

AuthorHelen | CommentPost a Comment | in
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Wednesday
Jun272012

Birmingham Made Me - Design Archives

DateWednesday, June 27, 2012

The Mailbox in Birmingham was the venue for Obsessionistas' fourth exhibition last week - a display of Midlands Design Archives presented as part of the Birmingham Made Me design expo.

The expo was conceived in order to celebrate the Midlands region's best creative design talent and innovation - from cutting edge concept cars to work by students and recent graduates. It featured well known heritage brands including, amongst others, Jaguar, Brintons, Aga and Pashley (all of whom kindly agreed to be involved in our design archives project) and aimed to promote a greater awareness of the unique design and manufacturing heritage of the region.

We were delighted to be presented with the award for best overall exhibit at the Birmingham Made Me awards ceremony.

Above: Helen & Graham in front of the Obsessionistas Design Archives display.

Lord Digby Jones congratulates Graham on "a really great display!"

Graham with BBC TV presenter Kay Alexander.

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Monday
Jun182012

The Great British Story: Ancestors in the Archive

DateMonday, June 18, 2012

The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry

Saturday 23 June, 10.00am - 4.30pm

Come along to the Herbert Art Galley & Museum in Coventry this Saturday to meet Obsessionistas at a free event that complements the BBC Two series The Great British Story: A People's History.  We will be showing a selection of archive material from our recent Midlands design archives project featuring the collections of a number of well known heritage brands located in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.

The event also includes expert talks and Q&A sessions, tours and the opportunity to meet living historians, archaeologists, local history experts and conservationists.

More information about the event >>

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