Galleries

During year one studying Architecture at University I have constantly been looking at ways I can further my knowledge and understanding. I have achieved this through visiting museums, galleries, exhibitions, even going abroad to compare different cultures architectural styles. 

The Cube Gallery Manchester


Hodder + Partners: Models    15.05.2010

Hodder + Partners presented a selection of models of projects including the Stirling Prize winning project, the Centenary Building at University of Salford.

Despite developments in digital modelling technology, physical models continue to be an important investigative tool in the work of Hodder + Partners and architectural practices alike. I believe model making is an important tool used to give an idea of space and a sense of whether the building works, I find it particularly helpful as it enables me to work out the plan of the building to scale as opposed to trying tp visualise it in my head.


This exhibition focused on 8 models ranging from concept to presentation and, in particular, the work that the practice undertakes with Phil Howard. They include the study models for St. Catherine's College Phase 1 from 1992 and the 1996 Stirling Prize Centenray Building for the University of Salford, to more recent models for competition winning projects for St.Clare's College, Oxford and Gateway House, Manchester.

Urbis Manchester

20th February 2010

Earlier this year in February I visited Urbis when the ‘Manchester, Television and the City:

Ghosts of Winter Hill’ exhibition was on.

                                   

For half a century domestic life in Britain had been dominated by the TV set. On 4 November 2009 our affiliation with Television entered a new chapter as the switch-over to digital was made, and the Granada region’s Winter Hill transmitter was switched off forever.

It celebrated the city’s priceless contribution to Television, examining the way TV has fine-tuned its distinctive voice and identity. The exhibition told the story via a wide variety of programmes, from dramas to documentaries, soaps to sport, comedy and music; from the well-loved and the little known – the quality and quantity of Manchester’s output being quite spectacular. Rare archive material was also presented as well as unique insights from well-known industry figures.

I originally attended the exhibition to see how different galleries displayed the works and pieces of the exhibition, as I was designing an outdoor gallery and wanted to display the work in the most effective and helpful way.

The light boxes suspended from the ceiling were particularly eye catching and a very effective way of displaying photographs / artwork in all its glory.

From having visited several galleries - Urbis in particular - I found that the layout of the exhibition is as – if not more – important as the way the actual work is displayed. The Manchester television exhibition was designed to shift you through the different stages of history by forcing you to flow in a certain direction. This ensures the story is told in chronological order and that every piece gets an equal share of the limelight.

Dali Museum

Barcelona July 2009

I visited Barcelona last July and went to the Dali museum, the Picasso museum and the Gaudi museum to examine - if any - the differences in presentation and if they were presented in such a way to compliment that particular artists work/style. 

                                                  Chair designed by Dali.

These paintings are part of a series that Dali did as a dedication to the life and works of Dante Aligheri. They are displayed side by side covering whole walls - floor to ceiling, and are displayed sequentially. This is a simple yet effective way of presenting the artwork and helps you to track the story from beginning to end. 

Below is the description of the series of paintings - this was written on a plaque next to the paintings so you could make sense of it all.

" Dante Aligheri (1265 - 1321) wrote his "commedia" (in the form of a poem) over a period of years and completed in the year of his death.

The poem consists of 100 songs describing a trip through the afterlife, Virgil guiding Dante through hell and purgatory and Beatrice through paradise. 

To celebrate the 700th anniversary of his birth the government of Italy planned to issue an especial edition of 'divine comedy'. For this, from 1951 through 1960 Dali created 100 watercolours.

The pictures have swirling designs with a portion in colour. Hell is in red, purgatory in purple and paradise in blue. "

I admire Dali's loose drawing style and non conformist attitude -  and they are reflected in his artwork. He wasn't afraid to be outlandish and I liked that he was a recluse and never felt the need to justify his work

Picasso Museum

I wasn't over enamoured with the Picasso exhibition as it was very disjointed and I was confused with which room followed which. The artwork however was displayed very well with the lighting complimenting each piece individually. I felt the bad organisation distracted from the artists work as you were too busy trying to work out which room you were in / meant to be in next and which way you should flow around the room to get the most out of the art. 

Shine - Leeds

Green Living exhibition 2010


Whilst in Leeds one afternoon after university I decided to take a trip up to Shine. 

Shine is a state-of-the-art, spacious and stylish business and social hub approx 1 mile from Leeds city centre. We were starting our "Live work scheme" project and my tutor Claire had recommended that we visit Shine as there was a 'Green living' exhibition on that might help inspire us. 

This was by far the worst exhibition I have been to. There was no layout as such, work was just hung erratically wherever there was space with many pieces ripped and falling off the display. There were some clever ideas but all in all I was underwhelmed. The space in the building its self however was fresh clean and airy which are aspects you want in an exhibition room.


NoiseLab - Manchester
03/04/2010
"P A N I C"
An exhibition featuring final year Design and Art Direction students. It showcased the best of graphic design, illustration, photography and motion design. 

http://panicnoiselab.blogspot.com/