Pavilion of Art and Design London 2015: the Wallpaper* edit

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Wooden dining table with four chair in dining area.
PAD is currently showing at London's Berkeley Square, hosting an exquisite mix of 20th century and contemporary works. Pictured: London-based Rose Uniacke's stand of Scandinavian design
(Image credit: press)

PAD, the unofficial sister event to Frieze Art Fair, opened this week for its annual gallery gathering in London's Berkeley Square. This year, the Mayfair location factored in more high design than its antique-heavy preceding years, celebrating an exquisite mix of 20th century and contemporary works.

The usual flurry of clean cream and light wood decorated stands were given a run for their money by interior design dame Rose Uniacke. The London-based gallery displayed Scandinavian furniture including Hans Wegner and Mogens Voltelen's seating against a dramatic blue backdrop and darkened, weathered floors.

Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery presented Wendell Castle’s ergonomic seating, entitled ‘Veiled in a Dream’. Produced in the gallery's new research hub, the bronze furniture reflects the American artist's boldly sculptural vision fused with humour.

French designer Hervé Van der Straeten displayed his new abstract origami furniture pieces, inspired by spaceships and flowers, and German photography gallery Daniel Blau calmed the tone with a display of exhilarating NASA photographs, taken from space missions in the 1960s and 70.

Elsewhere, Gallery Fumi collaborated with I Vassalletti’s Francesco Perini, who divided their set up with an artistic patterned wooden screen that complimented the organic works (which included an LDF favourite in Max Lamb’s 'My Grandfather's Tree' chair).

It was New York’s Friedman Benda gallery who exhibited perhaps the biggest highlight of the show – Paul Cocksedge’s 'Freeze’ desk. The futuristic, metallic model contained a conceptual line up of copper, silver and gold panels on the tabletop; by being quite so reflective, you couldn't help but stare.

Silver and gold panels on the tabletop.

New York's Friedman Benda gallery presented one of the biggest highlights of the show: Paul Cocksedge's new 'Freeze' desk

(Image credit: Paul Cocksedge)

The table features a futuristic line up of metallic panels.

The table features a futuristic line up of metallic panels. 

(Image credit: Courtesy Friedman Benda and Paul Cocksedge)

Gray sofa with chair in Drink area.

Francis Sultana designed the jungle-meets-salon pop-up restaurant upstairs at PAD.

(Image credit: Francis Sultana)

View of a gallery.

Carpenters Workshop Gallery hosted the ergonomic works of American artist Wendell Castle

(Image credit: press)

The three large bronze and wooden seating strcutures.

The three large bronze and wooden seating strcutures exemplify Castle's sculptural yet humorous vision. 

(Image credit: Courtesy Carpenters Workshop Gallery, PAD London)

Living Area.

London's 88 Gallery presented classic pieces by Gio Ponti and Max Ingrand.

(Image credit: Gio Ponti and Max Ingrand)

The White Sieve

The Switzerland-based Galerie von Vertes showcased The White Sieve, by Alexander Calder from 1963.

(Image credit: Courtesy Galerie von Vertes)

Book shelf.

On show at Galerie BSL was 'Kineticism I', by Charles Kalpakian. 

(Image credit: Courtesy Galerie BSL, PAD London)

Wooden show piece.

'Sculptural Bronze Stool', by Carol Egan, 2015. C

(Image credit: Courtesy Galerie BSL)

Side table.

'Xiangsheng side table', by Design MVW, at Galerie BSL

(Image credit: Design MVW)

LIVING ROOM.

Gallery Fumi's organic stand presented a wall divider by Francesco Perini from I Vassalletti, as well as Max Lamb's 'My Grandfather's Tree' chair

(Image credit: press)

Astronaut in a space.

Germany photography gallery Daniel Blau presented a series of NASA space exploration photographs. Pictured: NASA Apollo 12, Charles Conrad 'Alan Bean,' November 19, 1969. 

(Image credit: Courtesy NASA and Daniel Blau Munich/London)

Pavilion of art and design.

’Chaise Maurice’, by David/Nicolas. 

(Image credit: Courtesy Nilufar Gallery, PAD London)

Mirror Akimitsu

'Mirror Akimitsu', by Hervé van der Straeten. 

(Image credit: Courtesy Galerie van der Straeten, PAD London)

INFORMATION

PAD London is on view until 18 October

ADDRESS

PAD
Berkeley Square
London, W1

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Sujata Burman

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.