SEE••DS launches London gallery/store hybrid

White room with large doors opening onto a street.

London's South Kensington welcomes SEE••DS, at once an exhibition space (‘Special Events Exhibits’, SEE) and Design Store

(Image credit: TBC)

By Rosa Bertoli

last updated 12 July 2022

London's South Kensington has a brand new creative venture sprouting up. Located in an old Victorian house, a former flower shop, the venue doubles as an exhibition space (SEE meaning ‘special events exhibits’) and design store (the 'DS' part of its name). By bringing together these two elements, it creates a new system of displaying and experiencing art and design. The store/gallery hybrid offers a new conceptual format, which three times a year will change into a new exhibition in the gallery and accompanying store selection, offering new creative experiences with each chapter.

SEE• makes its debut with a showcase from Véio, giving a glimpse into the Brazilian artist’s sculptural take on natural forms and his contemporary point of view on traditional shapes. Curated by Stefano Rabolli Pansera, the exhibition includes wooden objects that come alive through the artist’s work. In the store, Milan-based studio Actant Visuelle has selected a number of objects from an international roster of designers that include Mieke Meijer, Aldo Bakker and Jerszy Seymour amongst others.

Inspired by the wooden artifacts of Véio’s showcase, the items on sale in •DS focus around wood creations punctuated by accessories in glass, ceramics and metal. The pieces are displayed throughout two rooms of the former shop, where designer Carol Rabolli Pansera has created an interior that leaves traces of the building’s previous lives.

Two photos. Thick tree branches painted red, white and blue under a light, left. Four round circular chairs in different colours. — Left: the works of Brazilian artist Véio, debuting the gallery's temporary programme. Curated by Stefano Rabolli Pansera, the exhibition includes wooden objects. Right: inspired by the wooden artifacts of Véio’s showcase, the items on sale in •DS focus around wood pieces, such as the Oxidation stools by EDHV

Various objects wrapped in bubble wrap and packaging tape. — The store/gallery hybrid offers a new conceptual format, which will change three times a year

Olden day kitchen with coal stove, brown checkered floor tiles and wooden table. — The pieces are displayed throughout two rooms of the former flower shop, where designer Carol Rabolli Pansera has created an interior that leaves traces of the building’s previous lives. Pictured: 'Egon table' by 54 Kilo

Two photos. The first has a horizontally hanging pole like light build. The second is of a room with an oval table below a pendant light next to a window. — Left: 'Apollo lamp' by Pietro Russo. Right: the designer's 'Piuma table' and 'Metropolis lamp'

Coal oven and round wooden chair. — The works of Dutch designer Aldo Bakker feature in the store's selection. Pictured left: 'Jug and Cups collection'; Right: '3dwn Up wooden chair'

Wood and glass shelving against a wall. — The Framework collection by Mieke Meijer is part of the debut •DS selection, curated by Milan-based studio Actant Visuelle

Modernly designed angular black chair. Red table in a brick room. — Left: 'Enterprise chair' by Jerszy Seymour. Right: 'Paddle bench' by Samare

Candles in different colour rounded vases. Different shaped wooden boxes. — At •DS, the wooden pieces are punctuated by accessories in glass, ceramics and metal, such as Jetske Visser's 'Filter vessels', left. Right: Objects by 200grs., a collection inspired by the use of wood off-fall

INFORMATION

For more information visit the SEE••DS website (opens in new tab)

Photography: Courtesy of SEE••DS

ADDRESS

Tel: 44.7989 393 089

3 Launceston Place
London
W8 5RL

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TOPICS

London UK Aldo Bakker

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.