Jeffrey Smart Exhibition Space

The Site

Venice Biennale, Giardini, Venice Italy

Project Brief

The design brief was to design an exhibition at the Australian Pavilion at the next Biennale Arte Di Venezia.

The objectives were to select an Australian artist and at least one piece of their work to display.

The brief asked for an exhibition inspired by the selected artist, that is room-filling, volumetric, and theatrical that will create a unique viewing experience for guests.

Limitations

The interior of the space can be manipulated in anyway as long as the interventions are temporary. The space can be reconfigured into any which way as long as the design wont damage or leave anything permanent in the space. The design will have a life of 10 months after which the site must be able to be returned to its original state.

The Concept

The main concept was derived from selected artist, Jeffrey Smarts artwork, Labyrinth. The artwork depicts a never ending maze, which inspired me to replicate life size sculptures of devices painted in his artwork, whilst making viewers explore his work through Smarts labyrinth.

The concept helped with the spatial layout as well as transporting viewers into the theatrical world of Smarts artworks, while inviting them to slow down and explore the space.

The space envokes feelings of melancholy and solitude, making viewers reflect on Smarts life and work, whilst being transported into his world.

Ground Floor Plan

The walls and ceiling of the space have been tiled with bronze mirrors to create an illusion when inside as well as reflect the lighting throughout the space. The bronze colouring helps create a dark and melancholic feeling inside the space.

Artemide suspended track lighting was used to achieve a dark yet well-lit space, showcasing just enough of the space for viewers to truely experience what is offered.

An LED light strip facing up towards the bronze mirror ceiling acts as a guide for the viewers to navigate through the space. With LED light strips placed at each entry point of the maze to act as an extra guide for viewers.

The direct lighting on the artwork sprays a warm glow to allow the viewers to inspect the work with its natural colours and textures on display.

Elements such as the yellow cross walk from “The Stilt Race, JS”, a large lamp post from “Cahill Expressway” and a metal railing from “Morning at Savona” were replicated at a life-size scale and brought into the space to invite viewers into Smarts art world, whilst reading and learning about his life, and the meaning behind his art.

The entry into the maze takes viewers to the outskirts, with signage indicating they must go left or right to enter the maze.

Text has been placed around the space on the walls to allow viewers to read & learn about Jeffrey Smart and his artworks.

The design of the maze has only one entry and exit, inviting viewers to explore every corner to witness the full Jeffrey Smart experience.

A streetlamp and a yellow crosswalk have are replicated from Smarts artworks, “Cahill Expressway” and “The Stilt Race”.

The streetlamp is equipped to turn on and is used as a guidance point for viewers to explore more art.

Benches have also been placed to encourage viewers to sit, slow down, and take a break to view the art on display.

The spotlight highlighting each artwork is to act as a guide for the viewers to slow down and enjoy the piece of artwork before them.

A white powder coated steel railing has been replicated from Smarts artwork “Morning at Savona”, wrapping around the walls acting as a barrier between the viewer and the artwork.

Jeffrey Smarts final work before he passed, “Labyrinth”, is placed in the centre of the maze surrounded by his other works as an honour to his talent and creativity.

The lighting reflected in the ceiling is visible from every angle inside the space, as well as hints of each artwork from certain angles.

The

QR codes are placed beside each artwork so visitors can read more about each peice, learn more about Jeffrey Smart, as well as access videos and audio guides to enhance the experience for each visitor.

To accommodate for visitors who may be visually impaired, audio tours are available through the QR code placed at the entrance at the visitors counter, with headphones available to those who may need them.