I went to explore the V&A this weekend; ‘hub’ of the London Design Festival. I will come back to The Power of Making exhibition in another post. Today, I want to tell you about two of their installations.
First, the Textiles Field designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and made by Kvadrat. It was designed to create a ‘lounging’ space for people to relax in and enjoy the Raphael Cartoons Gallery. It was certainly full of people doing just that when I was there.
Others, oblivious to the 16th Century masterpieces surrounding them, were simply enjoying the installation for what it is. But as I overheard one person say “I’ve never seen this many people in here before” – and that, surely, is the point.
Architects AL_A and engineering firm Arup have created Timber Wave at the V&A’s Cromwell Road entrance from oil-treated red American oak using construction techniques traditionally used in furniture making. The shapes echo the design of the entrance, albeit using a simplified recurring design, and then opens the entrance up to Cromwall Road, drawing people in to the V&A, which again seems to mean it’s working.
You may also be interested in:
- out and about :: noma bar, cut it out
- out and about :: coffee and design in London
- out and about :: London’s libraries (part 2)
- out and about :: London’s libraries (part 1)
- http://kvadrattextilefield.com/ (includes great time lapse film of installation being constructed)
- http://www.dezeen.com/2011/09/15/textile-field-by-ronan-erwan-bouroullec/
- http://www.candyandcandy.com/#/2011/timber-wave/
- http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/l/london-design-festival-2011-displays-and-installations/
The Timber Wave is just stunning Katie. I wish I’d got to the V&A to see it. I understand it’s only up to mid Oct. I hope to check out the power of making exhibition soon though so I’ll look forward to your post on it.
x
Debra – thanks for the comment! The Timber Wave was really successful – it somehow managed to connect with the existing entrance design and then open it out to the street. And it was beautifully crafted too. The Power of Making was very interesting too – I shall get to that post as soon as I can. Watch this space!