LAVA is the experimental exhibition space of legendary Kulturhuset Stockholm, where some of Sweden’s’ most interesting modern artists are able to work closely with the public.
We were approached to design an exhibition catalogue for an unusual art project initiated by visitors in collaboration with artist Lina Selander and curator Estella Burga that explored the interaction between memory, legacy and desire.
Titled Igy van, igy volt, igy lett, which is Hungarian for How it is, how it was, how it went, the exhibition combined sound installations and large-scale photographic projections presenting personal testimonials by citizens of Budapest who experienced World War II, with focus on how their lives where shaped and the relevance of those experiences today.
Our intention with the design was to merge contemporary elements with a nod to the historical context. We focused on creating a document that would provide a tactile complement to the intangible nature of the audiovisual installation experience and increase footfall to the gallery space.
Informed by the stories told about resourceful and clandestine living in times of war, the design was a catalogue and poster that folded down to hide into pockets, worked as invitations and was printed in a single copper tone on thin recycled paper.
The document didn’t contain material featured in the exhibition itself; the idea was that it showed content related to the exhibition in a very different way and therefore no imagery was included as to not dilute the exhibition visuals. The material was stripped down to its bare essence and offered information that visitors would not be able to obtain in any other way - such as the full-length letters from the witnesses and the artists statements. In other words, the catalogue served as an extra wall, added to the exhibition.