All That Glitters is the first project I have designed and exhibited that features work from a single artist.
In response to the photography by Richard Weston, I wanted to create something grand in scale and colourful. I also wanted the exhibition to feel like a journey of exploration and discovery.
I used colour from the LBGT+ flag throughout the space but used more muted colours, tones and textures to add neutrality and breathing space in which to view the works. I used wooden slats to create space (a caesura) above the ceilings and texture to combine elements of the larger space.
The things that have worked really well are the glowing LBGT colours at the back of the gallery and the reflection of them on the dark floor. The slats have softened the ceiling and created the idea of space beyond... intimate immensity. The large room positions the main stars of the show opposite each other and the grounding of the smaller works (on the concrete panels) help to reinforce a sense of scale. I think the scale works well in this case... even with the distortion that comes with viewing oversized images in this format.
The things that have not worked so well; are some of the textures do not look real enough, either from being to mottled or contrasty (the concrete panels) in their texture or rendering a little on the soft side (in the corridor). I think the neon signs could have more glow/bloom, then they would look great. I may make some changes to the initial exhibition space as it does not feel 'right'. I think some differentiation in the size of the two photographs on the left will help.
I am really looking forward to my next project. I hope to work with another artist and single body of work. And once again, my design will be created specifically for it. It looks like it will encompass nature-based textures and colours.
Please take a look at the exhibition...
Many thanks to Richard Weston for allowing me to work with his project. He is a Manchester-based photographer. Check out his website - http://westondigitalimaging.co.uk/
If you are reading this blog and feel you can add something to my research then please comment… even if you are correcting me or don’t agree with something that I say.
