Tent London

Tent London :  ArtLyst Review Bites

What has happened to Tent? This was originally a great buzzy concept for a fair. It  incorporated cutting edge modern design with vintage dealers. This was the heart and soul of Tent. It gave us a taste of design from the historical viewpoint into the future. I have attended all three Tent events with anticipation. The first was the most exciting with an outstanding opening night party. You really felt that something new was happening and you wanted to become a part of it by buying something to take home from the fair. There was no fanfare this year, it was a shell of what the fair started out to prove. The demise of all but 2 vintage dealers has turned Tent into any other trade fair. Most of the designers exhibiting their wares at Tent, made an effort to display them beautifully, although It seemed a bit empty. I did enjoy the digital section which  genuinely showed imagination and I was tempted to buy one of Troy Abbots bird cages.I may still do this from his website http://www.troyabbot.com. I also thought the furniture by Boex/3D Creative Solutions was worth returning for a second look. They have produced a  bench which consists of pencils placed in closely drilled holes and a layer of  foam. The rubbers are the seat and the pencils mould to your bottom as they sink into the base, clever and comfortable. (see more on http://www.boex.co.uk) . Shiu-Kay Kan also had an impressive stand ,a stalwart of British design Shiu-Kay is one of the originators of modern lighting as we know it today. It was a great honour to meet the man in the flesh and discuss design with him. See more on http://www.skk.net .
Hopefully this fair will continue next year and attempt to get the balance right.

ArtBitch  September 2009