- Venue
- Barbican
- Location
- London
The Barbican gets Restless.
Restless, a recent Barbican exhibition, features the last three decades of prolific output of Artist, Architect and Designer Ron Arad. Arad born in Tel Aviv, Israel, moved to London to study at the Architectural Association 35 years ago.
Many of Arad’s world renowned designs are here. The rover chair made with scrapyard car seats, loved by Jean Paul Gaultier, concrete stereo, and Big Easy, the polished steel chair. Lesser known, large sculptures like Thumbprint, a bronze chair, and Voido a chaise longue made of plastic, show his versatility. You imagine them gracing houses of Arad’s wealthy clientele. Although his designs are accessible to a wider market. His much loved bookworm bookcase for Kartell is displayed on the wall next to his Vitra chairs.
Rooms have a theme. Tipping, scavenging, volumising and gomling, these are words Arad has used to describe the pieces. In the rooms a short film shows Arad passionately exploring the theme in depth, it’s a fascinating insight into his creative practice. They portray a man with boundless energy and enthusiasm, quite literally, restless.
Some exhibits are animated by motors designed by ex students. Objects rock and roll in all directions, the sudden movements startle, it’s playful. The playfulness continues with Lolita, a crystal and LED chandelier, text a message and see it immediately appear spiraling across the sparkling light.
Arad’s Architectural designs are here too, not all realised. The highlight is the recently completed Holon Design Museum in Israel. With it’s ribbons of steel facade it is an iconic building and his most significant building project to date.
Arad may be one of the most innovative designers of his time, his work often defies definition, is it art or design? Go along and decide for yourself, Restless runs at the Barbican until May.
