in
Action
The
human
scale
in
art galleries
It is known that, in the early twentieth century, the white walls aesthetic was chosen by artists to exhibit their works, allowing the minimization of distractions and the accentuation of color and light.
«ART in Action» revisits similar motivations, as we face incessant resemblances between Art and furniture Design – to name a few:
a clear emphasis on the concept, an increasing dose of abstractionism, and the similitude to sculptural or pictorial languages.
Inside the white cube, the frames of even walls and ceiling-based discreet lighting aim to defy the constraints of space and time, while the (ephemeral) presence of pedestals enhances a certain sense of sacredness, as it aims to physically and metaphorically elevate each design to the status of works of art. Herein, our curated furniture designs aim to outdare the contradictions of an austere, rigid gallery space; they showcase the versatility of their bespoke and fun nature, therefore challenging – while paying homage to – the neutrality of the gallery space.
Simultaneously, «ART in Action» places a great emphasis on the human scale: without it, the art gallery’s context would lack meaning and significance. In an all-neutral setting, the viewer’s gaze naturally relies on each individual work of art, enabling a personal connection with the latter; ultimately, the spectator does not solely assume a passive role or a contemplative state, as these works of art are meant to be experienced. This emphasis on individual and collective (inter)action comes from a yearning for a sense of connection that we strongly felt needed to be addressed – this urgent need to tackle our tactile relationship with materials, embracing their physical qualities.
Besides, we felt that the human presence seemed to be a vital aspect to a contemporary interpretation of an art gallery as it provides it with a much needed sense of scale. As humans position themselves at the center of the visible world, their physical presence provides other elements with proportion, at length defining the significance of the exhibited artworks. As the spectator contemplates the artwork, has a seat, or dialogues with other visitors, notions of firmness and rigidity are being replaced by a certain degree of humor and reality.
Altogether, developments in Architecture and Design provided an ideal environment for showcasing such artworks inside our homes, which ends up wrapping up the concept of an artistic approach to a furniture design exhibition.