Patternity, the addictive online portal for (and by) pattern enthusiasts, is making the leap from its virtual hub to the real world. The spheres of fashion, art, design, health, science and technology are set to collide in this first edition of a new annual festival of pattern exploration at Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch. Throughout April, the venue will play host to an exhibition titled 'Superstripe', as well as a series of creative workshops, industry talks, films and interactive events focusing on all things striped.
‘Superstripe’ itself will showcase works by established practitioners from all over the world – including the likes of fashion designer Craig Lawrence, art collective Studio Manifold and set designer (and regular W* contributor) Robert Storey - alongside pieces from the Patternity studio. The launch of the exhibition this weekend also kicks off the stripe-centric programme of events.
Patternitalks will take place around Patternity's latest furniture collaboration with marquetry craftsman Toby Winteringham – the Op-tacular ‘Sum’ table – with everyone from a neuroscientist to a fashion editor leading the discussion. Patternity also joined forces with Creature of London to commission film directors to bring stripes to life on the big screen. Meanwhile, Sunday Sessions are reserved for immersive demonstrations designed to engage visitors on pattern perception.
Co-founded by art director Anna Murray and surface/textile designer Grace Winteringham, Patternity has garnered a loyal following of pattern devotees since its inception in 2009. Although the studio has ventured beyond the digital realm before – its ‘Shift Table' scooped a Wallpaper* Design Award in 2011 (see W*143) - Pattern Power is its first offline project of this scope.
Translating a style blog into a multi-disciplinary extravaganza was daunting for the studio. ‘Luckily, when we approached potential contributors we found out that many of them already look at Patternity for inspiration, so that link is already established,’ said Murray. ‘The real challenge was getting the right balance between genres, but it speaks to the unifying nature of pattern that a fashion photograph can hang next to an image of Saturn’s rings.’
The spectacle of pattern also extends to a Superstripe pop-up café and shop, which will debut several new collaborative design pieces by Patternity. The studio paired up with bone china specialist Richard Brendon for the ‘Patternitea Set’ and Node for the ‘Sunstripe Rug’. If the inaugural Pattern Power offering is anything to go by, we hope Patternity never changes it stripes.
The London-based pattern revivalists are presenting their own studio pieces alongside works by other established practitioners across the fields of fashion, art, design, health, science and technology.
'Superstripe'.
'Kiko Kostadinov'.
'Stripe Structure'.
Patternity was co-founded in 2009 by self-styled pattern philosophists Anna Murray and Grace Winteringham, who came together through a mutual appreciation of all things patterned
'Superstripe' is the first edition in a series of multi-disciplinary events that will serve as a real world manifestation of their blog.
Toothpaste'.
'Bambi Northwood Blythe', by Georges Antoni at The Artist Group.
From left: 'Homage to 80s fashion visionary Maria Blaisse', for Dazed and Confused, August 2009; 'Slatted Stripes'.
Industry discussions will take place around the 'Sum' table, Patternity's latest furniture collaboration with Toby Winteringham.
A tea cup from the 'Patternitea Warp Set', part of a new design collaboration with Richard Brendan
A programme of creative workshops, performances and film screenings will run throughout the duration of the exhibition.
Even the floor of the event space has received a makeover by Patternity, featuring a striped decal inspired by labyrinths.
Patternity has also created a pop-up café and shop with a curated selection of striped products.
'Sunstripe Rug', by Patternity with Nepalese carpet makers Node makes it debut at the exhibition.
Patternity has set up an interactive loom for visitors to weave their own patterns
ADDRESS
Londonewcastle Project Space
28 Redchurch Street
London E2 7DP
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