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FAD Magazine covers contemporary art – News, Exhibitions and Interviews reported on from London

Beautiful Things at House of Voltaire – Naomi Richmond-Swift


Image:© Polly Braden,

In these times of funding cuts the fear of losing the most organic and therefore fresh arts collectives is rife, and the wheat is separated from the chaff by the most innovative organisations diversifying and collaborating for mutual benefit.

Step inside House of Voltaire, above Rupert Sanderson at 19 Bruton Place, just off Berkeley Square. Studio Voltaire’s contemporary art studios are funded in part by its artists, and its suggestion of a pop-up shop to increase winter funds is one that seems to be a win-win scenario, especially as they’ve worked with the best artists, graphic designers, and architects to build with absolute style and flair, drawing inspiration from the likes of Keith Haring’s Pop Shop. I was pleased to see the huge list of names involved in sponsorship and help-in-kind for House of Voltaire; my personal favourite being Raven Row, whose consistent excellence in all they do is definitely felt here. Special thanks to Rupert Sanderson too, who donated the entire space.

Images: HOUSE OF VOLTAIRE BAG 2010 Designed by Stefania Pramma RENEE SO 100% Lambswool Blanket Ryan Gander Investigation # 54 – Eye Sea Know Ships, 2010

Swathes of bold bottle green paint and playful gold and white lettering on the door draw you up the stairs, and the place is full of all things beautiful, arranged in tactile layers. For example, a leather hold-all by Stefania Pramma sits proudly on a lambswool blanket by Renee So (one of 20) that’s almost impossible not to stroke. There are many items of glass and objets d’art for the home; painted ‘bitch’ dog bowls by Donald Urquhart causing many a double-take from browsers, but plenty of prints and sketches to buy too, such as Enrico David’s Untitled (Study for a mural) (2009) and nostalgic sea-faring images by Ryan Gander (Investigation # 54 – Eye Sea Know Ships, 2010)

The overall sense here is one of collaboration and mutual appreciation, and the result: everything created, produced, made, built, to perfection. With this in mind, the opening party is jubilant and so very chic; the decorated Perrier-Jouet glasses being served at the bar next to bejeweled tissue boxes and a silk suit in a brick print pattern by Anthea Hamilton hanging on the wall. Impossibly hot and crowded, it is a case of finding a corner and sticking to it rather than getting to see an awful lot, and frequent sojourns into the corridor for air are a necessity. However, this can only be a mark of success, and I spy a large number of ‘sold’ and ‘sold out’ tags on many of the items.

I highly recommend stepping in out of bustling Mayfair to surround yourself in sheer indulgent luxury here, it’ll leave you feeling inspired.
House of Voltaire is open Through to 4th December 2010, at 19 Bruton Place, Mayfair W1, London, Mon – Sat 11am – 7pm / Sun 12 – 6pm

houseofvoltaire.blogspot.com/

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