Allied Editions, 2012 

Part of Frieze Art Fair, London 11th-14th October

Commission to design, fabricate & install exhibition stand for a group of six public galleries at the annual art fair in Regent's Park each October

For Frieze 2012, Camden Arts Centre, Chisenhale Gallery, Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), Serpentine Gallery, Studio Voltaire, & the Whitechapel Gallery came together for the second time to present a portfolio of prints & limited editions under the name of Allied Editions. Proceeds from the sale of these affordable works donated by the artists will support the Exhibition & Education programmes of each gallery. After their debut, the decision this year was to bring in Emily King to curate the stand who in turn asked us to design an improved display method.

Our aim was to differentiate the stand from the many others within the fair & acknowledge that it sells work at a more accessible price range than the majority of the exhibitors. Additionally, it needs to display a large number of framed editions with enough flexibility to allow the galleries to rearrange them as pieces were sold & replaced by others.

The solution was to provide 5 rows of shelving in painted & oiled birch ply with decreasing depth up the walls. An angled dropped lipping in poplar on each shelf supports the base of the frames which lean against the next shelf above. Also built for the stand was a storage unit, Wooden Trestle Two and table top in matching poplar. Stacking stools also in poplar were designed & made for the stand by Jack Neville. All the elements were designed to be easily dismantled & stored efficiently for future use.

Graphic design by Paul Barnes; photography by Johan Dehlin & Jack Neville.