The British Council’s Architecture, Design, Fashion team has developed an exhibition and sale with London creative agency Unity. THIS WAY UP will tell the story of 15 years of British Council commissions, exhibitions and special projects. Proceeds from the sale will go towards initiating a new era of design projects.
The Architecture, Design, Fashion team work to present the best of contemporary and innovative design practice from the UK and promote international collaboration. Included in the exhibition will be pieces from a wide array of high profile projects and designers including Tom Dixon, Peter Kennard, Pearson Lloyd, Sebastian Bergne, Nigel Shafran, Michael Marriott, Anthony Burrill and Basso and Brooke.
A silent auction will run throughout the week, giving visitors the chance to bid on pieces that include architectural models, one-off products and original prints. Publications, posters, tools and mannequins will also be available to buy onsite as will new pieces produced as part of an up-cycling project with Goldsmiths, University of London.
Everything must go and all funds raised by the sale will go towards providing funding for a new British Council fellowship giving young British designers the chance to work in Brazil.
THIS WAY UP will be held in a new 3000 sq ft design space called Pitfield in Hoxton. The venue will be split into 3 separate areas. Area 1 will host the exhibition; Area 2 will operate as a workshop for the up-cycling challenge where design studios will compete to produce new products using recycled materials from the archive; Area 3 will be a sales space.
The final selection of exhibition pieces will only be revealed at the opening. However, the pieces – from the everyday and extraordinary to the functional and frivolous – will provide a fascinating insight into the vast array of British Council Architecture, Design, Fashion projects.
Other events will include a series of ‘anecdotal accounts’ of British Council projects from designers and producers, past and present.
London curator Pete Collard will curate the exhibition. He is working with PAN Studio, who will design the show and all accompanying collateral.
THIS WAY UP: 15 Years of Architecture, Design & Fashion at the British Council, Pitfield Space, 31 – 35 Pitfield Street, London N1 6HB. THIS WAY UP is an official London Design Festival 2011 event and part of the ICON Design Trail.
