PAD opens its doors
Last night saw the preview of the 2015 PAD London Art + Design show, which officially opens its doors today in Berkeley Square. The five-day event consists of 63 international galleries showcasing some of the most covetable art and design pieces.…
All images by Andrew Johansson
UK, London. Last night saw the preview of the 2015 PAD London Art + Design show, which officially opens its doors today in Berkeley Square. The five-day show consists of 63 international galleries showcasing some of the world’s most covetable art and design pieces, attracting yacht designers such as Fiona Diamond, Remi Tessier and Andrew Winch.
The ninth edition of the event includes 15 newcomers alongside familiar exhibitors such as Galerie Maria Wettergren. "We've been attending this event for five years now because it works well for us,” said owner of the gallery, Maria Wettergren. This year the Paris-based gallery returns to PAD showcasing a collection of pieces including Danish designer Mathias Bengtsson’s Growth Table. The nature inspired table was designed to imitate natural growth and is made from solid walnut.
Mathias Bengtsson’s Growth Table
Other pieces on show at Galerie Maria Wettergren’s stand was Eske Rex’s Measuring Space 3, first presented in 2012. The solid oak trumpet sculpture has an embedded magnet in one half with a metal plate in the other allowing for a small and fragile gap to form between the two. It is an engaging effect, with another dimension added with the use of lighting to cast a clean shadow.
Eske Rex’s Measuring Space 3
Shadows were a reoccurring theme for the gallery, with the inclusion of Arakne — new for 2015 — consisting a web of threads and fibers created by Norwegian Gjertrud Hals.Close up of Arakne
Arakne (right) by Gjertrud Hals
PAD sees designer Herve Van Der Straeten celebrate the 15th anniversary since opening his gallery, his 10th exhibition and 30th since founding his studio. His pieces have appeared in a number of residential projects and a few within the luxury marine sector. Among the many pieces on display is the world debut of a new wooden buffet table with custom made bronze handles, bronze feet and a marble top. The front of the piece is made from a combination of violet wood and Ziricote. All mechanical aspects of the piece are concealed including the hinges.
Herve Van Der Straeten's new buffet table
“One of Herve’s trademarks is to work in the traditional French way of cabinetry and furniture manufacture,” said Olivia Palazzolo, design assistant at Herve Van Der Straeten. “This buffet table is a perfect example of this with its traditional French marquetry using exotic rare woods. Herve travels a lot to discover the woods and stones that no-one else, in order to provide that extra level of bespoke service.”
Custom made bronze handles
The main focus for the designer is to create pieces that appear as if created from one element, hiding joints and mechanisms otherwise exposed in other furniture pieces such as Pinto’s outdoor collection called Lodge. The armchair and footstool, made from a combination of aluminium, brass and cork, purposely draws your attention to the Alberto Pinto branded bolts that hold the backrest and frame together.
Designer Andrew Winch takes a look at the Lodge armchair and footstool
“Nobody would guess that this range is intended for outdoor use,” explained Marc-Antoine Malot at Pinto Paris. “The textile which we have used on here was exclusivity developed by Le Manach a part of Pierre Frey for us. We designed it and they made it for us, but you can use whichever material you want. It is also very lightweight, making it easy to move.”Lodge armchair and footstool is made from brass textured aluminium with cork covered armrests
From chairs to cabinets, Gallery Fumi is showcasing Hull Studio’s Blaze Cabinet made from brass and tulip wood, with a brass interior and adjustable shelves. The piece features concave doors with a mirrored arch on the cabinet, resulting in an unusual wedge-shaped door. Although the piece lacks interior lighting, once the doors are open, light is reflected into the cabinet thanks to the brass finish.
The Blaze Cabinet closed (image courtesy of Hull Studio)
“The effect created on the outside looks like the cabinet is being eaten away by the core and is slowly being taken over by the brass,” commented designer and founder of the studio, Alex Hull.
The Blaze Cabinet closed (image courtesy of Hull Studio)
The last day of PAD London is Sunday 18th October, with tickets available online and at the entrance to the venue (GBP 20).
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