Exploring craft and luxury
The Possession, 2012, Oliver Ruuger Studio. Photo Alejandro Cavallo
Added Value?, a new touring exhibition from the Crafts Council, launches at designjunction from 20 to 23 September as part of this year’s London Design Festival.
Responding to current economic trends, Added Value? will question the value of contemporary craft within the present-day landscape of branding and luxury. Investigating differing perceptions of value, the exhibition will explore the increasing desire for authenticity, quality and craftsmanship, which is redefining our understanding of luxury.
The show will consider six key strands, each characterised by the work of a highly skilled maker:
- Materials, explored through the work of fine artist/jeweller, Zoe Arnold. Arnold manipulates materials including ephemera, precious metals and antique microscope lenses, in order to create meaning in her jewellery installations.
- Traditional Skills, illustrated by the craftsmanship of Oliver Ruuger who takes functional, familiar items such as a gentleman’s briefcase, and renders them valuable through the addition of traditional processes such as leather working.
- Brands, explored via the collaboration between product designer Simon Hasan and fashion house Fendi, whose commission of bespoke mannequins in 2011, demonstrates how craft values are being adopted by high-end brands.
- The Bespoke, shown by a high quality, one-off pair of shoes hand-crafted by shoe makers, carréducker, who use over 200 individual processes in each bespoke pair of shoes.
- Experience, demonstrated through the creations of jelly-mongers, Bompas & Parr, whose edible works of art employ experimental new technologies to create sensory experiences.
- The Everyday, presented through the work of bespoke wallpaper maker, Tracy Kendall, who creates elaborate hand crafted wall coverings.
Through the work of each maker, Added Value? will raise questions about how and why we value objects and whether craft is becoming a new language for luxury.
Each featured object in the exhibition will be accompanied by newly commissioned photography and film. Bruce Montgomery, Professor of Design Craftsmanship at Northumbria University was the curatorial advisor to the exhibition.
On the launch of Added Value? Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director of Crafts Council commented:
“Added Value? is a timely exhibition that looks at the value of craftsmanship within the context of global brands and luxury. The increasing interest in provenance and the narratives behind the things we buy has had a visible impact on how brands market themselves – with many using words like ‘craft’ and craftsmanship’ to denote quality. Added Value? explores where craft sits within this and whether consumers’ perceptions of value are changing.”
Added Value? will run from Wednesday 19 to Sunday 23 September 2012 at designjunction, before touring the UK. Entrance to the exhibition is free, provided you register online at designjunction
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For further press information and images on Added Value? please contact Rachael Young or Iliana Taliotis at Four Colman Getty
T: +44 (0)20 3023 9958 / +44 (0)20 3023 9047 or E: rachael.young@fourcolmangetty.com / Iliana.taliotis@fourcolmangetty.com
For further information on the Crafts Council, please contact Jill Read, Communications Manager on T: +44 (0) 20 7806 2549 or E: media@craftscouncil.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Venue
designjunction
The Sorting Office
21-31 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1BA
www.thedesignjunction.co.uk
Opening Hours
Wednesday 19 September: Press Preview – 3pm to 6pm; Private View – 6pm to 9pm
Thursday 20 September: 10am to 7pm
Friday 21 September and Saturday 22 September: 10am to 6pm
Sunday 23 September: 10am to 5pm
Visitors will need to register for free admission online: www.thedesignjunction.co.uk
Makers exhibiting in Added Value? include:
• Zoe Arnold
• Oliver Ruuger
• Simon Hasan
• carréducker
• Bompas & Parr
• Tracy Kendall
For biographies of each maker, please contact Four Colman Getty
