EXHIBITION
2017
VENUE
National Gallery of Victoria
YEAR
2017 marked the inaugural NGV Triennial. Whilst employed at NGV, Peter collaborated with the NGV Exhibition Design team to develop and deliver this major exhibition:
“Featuring the work of over 100 artists and designers from 32 countries, the NGV Triennial surveys the world of art and design, across cultures, scales, geographies and perspectives.
The NGV Triennial 2017 explores cutting edge technologies, architecture, animation, performance, film, painting, drawing, fashion design, tapestry and sculpture.
Visitors have an opportunity to look at the world and its past, present and future through the eyes of some of the most creative minds working today.”
These creative minds included major artists such as Yayoi Kusama, who’s Flower Obsession saw a replica apartment progressively obliterated with flowers over the course of the exhibition. Ron Mueck’s major commission Mass involved the creation of 100 giant skulls, developed and fabricated in close consultation with NGV and local manufacturers. Peter collaborated with both artist’s studios throughout the development of these projects.
The Triennial undertakes a unique role in pairing and presenting significant designers alongside artists. Some of these designers, such as Iris Van Herpen were exhibiting new work never seen in Australia. Game designer Tom Crago presented a new virtual reality work entitled Materials that warranted the creation of a private lounge. Peter designed the space to support the delivery of the game, balancing a public and private user experience. Adjacent to this installation was a bespoke hospitality environment entitled Triennial Voices. Visitors could encounter the themes of the exhibition in a futuristic bar whilst enjoying a drink.
NGV Triennial was supplemented with the Triennial Extra festival. Peter led the design of many of these built activations including a DJ pod in front of the iconic Waterwall entrance, the Discovery Bar - a mirrored cocktail bar in the garden, and Supernormal Natsu, a collaboration with Andrew McConnell’s famed restaurant which took of the NGV Garden Restaurant for ten days. Peter commission furniture designer Jason Stancombe of Relm to design and fabricate new solid timber stools and tables for the event.
Exhibition Design: NGV Exhibition Design
Photos by Sean Fennessey and Tom Ross
“The restaurant was temporary, part of Natsu, a 10-day festival held at the museum in January 2018. Stancombe used timber for the furniture to complement the bluestone walls and garden location…
Meanwhile, The Supernormal pop-up site itself, designed by Peter King, senior exhibition designer at the NGV, had a slightly feminine feel and was designed to provide a relaxed and informal dining experience, which was enhanced by the use of timber. Stancombe says he often uses timber as it “brings warmth and an organic feel to furniture.”