Turning the Tables

The Turning The Tables exhibition will see the aforementioned tables turned on 13 architecture practices, who have taken on the role of designers and makers by creating their own furniture pieces.

The show, which opens tomorrow at the Testbed 1 space in London’s Battersea, will showcase tables created by architects and designers including Jason Bruges Studio; Will Alsop; Peter Cook and Yael Reisner; Nat Chard and Cinimod Studio. 

Embrace part 1, pink table Peter Cook and Yael Reisner with Arne Jacobsen  chairs
Embrace part 1, pink table Peter Cook and Yael Reisner with Arne Jacobsen chairs

All of the pieces are for sale, though you’ll have to dig deep: prices start at a reasonable £400 for a Barnaby Gunning table and peak at the eye watering ‘price available on request’ for the Jason Bruges piece.

Labour of Wood, Sandra Knibl with Rudolf Knibl
Labour of Wood, Sandra Knibl with Rudolf Knibl

However, money aside, this looks set to be a fascinating show, showcasing architects working in a discipline quite distinct from their usual medium.

Mimosa, Jason Bruges Studio
Mimosa, Jason Bruges Studio

The show, which is curated by architectural designer Yael Reisner, evolved from the aim to ‘promote and reveal the architect as maker while retaining the yardstick of an exhibition that might give a genuine joy to the aficionados of design’, according to organisers.

Nurbster II, Marcos And Marjan
Nurbster II, Marcos And Marjan

The sheer variety of tables on show and approaches to creating them is perhaps a product of the lack of parameters in the brief: without the constraints of a gallery or an agent as an artist has, the works range from the colourful, to the utilitarian to the self-proclaimed ‘indestructible’, in the case of Pablo Gil and Jaime Bartolome.

Phableby, Cinimod
Phableby, Cinimod

Reisner says, ‘The aim of exposing a wide range of new tables from cutting edge innovative ideas through to customised solutions designed around specific architects’ needs, has resulted in wide range of form as well as intentions.

The Indestructible, Pablo Gil and Jaime Bartolome
The Indestructible, Pablo Gil and Jaime Bartolome

‘It exhibits displays that are fast to re-assemble, or domestically suitable in an affordable context, through such varied approaches as the selection of a tree in the forest as the best tree for dining or perforating steel sheet for best stress forces, vs. perforating steel for best laid table.’

The Laid Table, Will Alsop
The Laid Table, Will Alsop

Turning The Tables runs from 30 November – 7 December at Testbed 1, 33 Parkgate Road, London SW11

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  • yael reisner November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    The show was extended until Thu. 22nd Dec.
    Mon.- Thu. 11am – 6pm.
    Open Sat. 10th Dec. 5pm until late
    @ TESTBED1 next door to DOODLE BAR.

    Doodle Bar open daily 11am-late and enable a direct entry to TESTBED1.

  • Rosalind sinclair November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    If you missed this fantastic exhibition first time round, you can now see it again at Great Western Studios starting from Thursday 19 th january.

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