Irish Architects Enjoy Success at ‘A Place to Gather’ - London Design Festival 2012
Published: Thursday, October 04, 2012
[Pictured above is a contemporary room setting with floor light by Clancy Moore Architects; rocking chair by Sean Fogarty and sofa by O'Driscoll Furniture]
Irish architects contributed to the success of Irish design during the London Design Festival 2012. Curated by Jonathan Legge (makersandbrothers.com) for the Crafts Council of Ireland, the exhibition ‘A Place to Gather’ transformed a recently discovered old garage/warehouse in London's trendy Shoreditch into a creative and exciting glimpse of contemporary Ireland. Over 1,100 attendees experienced the exhibition with more than 310 invited guests converging in the space on launch day to coincide with Shoreditch district’s late night opening.
Designs by Irish architects and RIAI Members included a new light by Clancy Moore Architects(below) and a contemporary Rocking Chair (below) made from reclaimed Maple floorboards by Sean Fogarty of Rocker Lane Workshop.
‘A Place to Gather’ showcased the work of over 30 craft enterprises. All the furniture and objects created by Irish designers and craftspeople were arranged for use, showing craft’s functional place in contemporary life, with everything from floor coverings, to table and chairs, sofas and lighting. A sofa by O’Driscoll Furniture, upholstered in Donegal Irish tweed woven by Kieran Molloy of Molloy & Sons, attracted strong interest.
Many of the pieces from ‘A Place to Gather’ will subsequently form a showcase of Irish craft and design in the Justus Lipsius building, headquarters of the Council of the European Union in Brussels, as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union from January to June 2013.
“Everybody from press to the unsuspecting visitor was genuinely engaged with the space, the atmosphere and the work on show. Many conversations were had and comments that I received indicated that it was a show of its time, quietly and gently putting forth its message. This is exactly what we were hoping to achieve, a gentle push. From an Irish perspective, I believe it will help energise and strengthen the creative community working in the area of craft, furniture and product.” Jonathan Legge, Curator
A specially commissioned short film, also entitled A Place to Gather, by emerging filmmakers Jamie and Keith provided a visual backdrop, setting the origins and landscape of the craftspeople against the work on display. View the short film here: www.aplacetogather.ie
Categories: Exhibitions
