Prototypes and Experiments IV
21st January - 6th March 2010

Tomás Alonso
Michael Antrobus
Arash & Kelly
Thomas Feichtner
Gitta Gschwendtner
Crispin Jones
Ronen Kadushin
Simon Maidment
Nucleo
Damien Poulain
Vladimir Rachev
Hiroko Shiratori
David Sutton
Nina Tolstrup
Vandasye
William Warren & Carl Clerkin
Joe Wentworth
Ben Wilson

The Aram Gallery is delighted to open the fourth in the ongoing series Prototypes and Experiments with a new batch of exhibits sourced from the studios of emerging and established designers. This time there are a significant number of objects exploring ideas in metal.

Prototypes and experiments are critical elements in the development process of any new design. The prototype is the manifestation of the design idea on its way to production; experiments are more like steps on the way. The prototype, being part of a process, makes more real an idea that will lead to a final piece, and is not made with the intention of being sold or shown outside the designer’s studio. Experiments are also unique artefacts but are even less refined and sometimes constitute a partial sketch on the way to the prototype.

These objects however, can hold a rare charm; there’s an increased closeness to the designer’s imagination, and a directness to the making that often changes when manufacturing and marketing forces are fully integrated. The objects might be characterised by a technical or material discrepancy, compared to the final product, due to a lack of access of the designer to technology at the process stage. It’s a stark contrast to the current wave of limited editions - which has made for the unique to be diluted by multiples and for the production piece to be restrained in order to increase the value of singular pieces.

The Aram Gallery is interested in the way designers think and work. We have chosen to present these unique artefacts as part of an ongoing search for insight into the design process. Prototypes and Experiments will include selected drawings alongside the pieces taken from the designers’ physical or digital sketchbooks.

Curator: Daniel Charny
Assistant Curator: Ellie Parke
Gallery Director: Zeev Aram

For press information please contact Anna Meyer at Origin Communications on 020 7278 0068 or email anna@originuk.com

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