British designers Isabel Gibson and Helen Chesner have transformed The Conran Shop‘s gallery into a dynamic playground for their London Design Festival exhibit, Motion Sickness. Celebrating 10 years of their collaborative studio, Isabel + Helen, the exhibition bursts with kinetic energy through vibrant models featuring spinning orbs and flapping wings. The milestone has been a perfect occasion for commemoration and festivity.
The meticulously crafted prototypes included in the exhibit highlight collaborations with luxury brands like Hermès and Burberry, alongside installations for renowned venues such as the V&A museum and Coachella. The showcase aims to reveal the intricate creative processes underlying their work, heavily focused on model-making as the duo marks this significant journey.
Gibson shared insights during a tour: “We saw this as an opportunity to showcase the backstage of our creations. Our approach often involves diving quickly into prototyping, allowing ideas to translate from imagination and sketches into tangible experiences,” as they celebrate their unique methodologies.
Embracing Movement
Since launching their studio in 2015, three years post-graduation from Chelsea College of Arts, Isabel + Helen have consistently explored themes of movement and kinetic sculptures. “We have an ongoing fascination with movement,” Gibson stated. “The transformations and reveals in our sculptures affect perception and evoke varied emotions, from joy to eeriness,” Chesner added.
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A vibrant series of limited-edition paintings serves as a backdrop to the exhibit, each canvas adorned with concentric circles crafted using a homemade kinetic device. Noteworthy installations include a toy train balancing eggs and paper spheres that twirl upon pulling a string. It is through these playful creations that they embrace their artistic spirit.
Chesner reflects on their experimental process: “We’re all about trying things and not being precious. Sometimes projects don’t work, but each failed experiment builds towards a successful piece.”
Marking Milestones
The exhibit also celebrates Isabel + Helen’s long-standing collaboration with The Conran Shop, a partnership that began with the 2016 exhibition A Load Of Jargon. It is one of the first showcases in the basement gallery of the London Sloane Square store, the original branches on Fulham Road and Marylebone High Street closed. Here, they honor another chapter of their journey.
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As The Conran Shop reinvents itself, focusing more on proprietary collections and significant partnerships — like the furniture line with Francis Sultana — Motion Sickness stands as a testament to creativity and legacy. The exhibition ran from September 12 to 20, as part of London Design Festival. Explore more such events through the Dezeen Events Guide and see how they celebrate new beginnings.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the showcase Motion Sickness about?
Motion Sickness is an exhibit by Isabel + Helen celebrating their 10 years of kinetic art. It features vibrant models with spinning orbs and flapping wings, highlighting their collaborative work with luxury brands and renowned venues.
How long has Isabel + Helen’s studio been active?
Isabel + Helen’s studio has been active for 10 years since their graduation from Chelsea College of Arts three years prior to founding the studio in 2015.
What themes do Isabel + Helen explore in their art?
Isabel + Helen explore themes of movement and kinetic sculptures, affecting perception and evoking varied emotions from joy to eeriness. Their work consistently revolves around transformations and reveals in sculptures.