Possibly off the beaten track (for big city dwellers at least), the Pallant House Gallery hosts a very interesting exhibition from next weekend – Robin and Lucienne Day: Design and the Modern Interior.
Running from 26th March – 26th June 2011 in the couple's former hometown, the exhibition draws on the collection of H Kirk Brown III and Jill A Wiltse, which is usually based in Denver, USA. The collection (and exhibition) focuses on the furniture designs of Robin Day and textile designs of wife Lucienne, as well as her ceramics and one or two surprises from both.
The exhibition illustrates the evolution of Lucienne Day's design style chronologically, from the 'playful linearity' of her patterns in the early 1950s to her experimentation with bold visual effects in the late 1950s and early 60s as well as taking in her 'pop' styles of the late 60s and 70s.
In terms of Robin's designs, rare pieces are on loan from Target Gallery, London, as well as key pieces Robin Day created for Hille (right from the very first collection) and for the Festival of Britain, along with other designs including electronics, logos, brochures and of course, Day's functional work including the 'Polyprop' chair – a seat we've probably all sat in at some time or other.
For fans of midcentury design, it sounds like the perfect day out. See the website for opening times and prices.
