Now 4 Then marks a shift in focus for the Max Radford Gallery from object as art to object as product, a response to the earnest words of the late Zeev Aram: "I decided that I will try my best to bring to the public designs which are contemporary, correct for the time". In the same way that Zeev was showcasing international contemporary design to the UK public in the 1960s, the new gallery space intends to showcase the works of contemporary UK-based designers to the international public. Zeev's notion of correctness and truth to design remains intimately related to the time in which we currently live - and has arguably never felt more relevant. Within a precarious global landscape that balances on the knife-edge of an Anthropocenic Epoch, for this precise moment in time it is sustainably aware, boundary-pushing design that feels most correct.
Now 4 Then showcases the new works of a defining chapter of London-centric designers that are already proving themselves on the international scene, 7 of whom the gallery is pleased to be working with again and 3 of whom we are excited to work with for the very first time.
Investigating contemporary design themes of durability, integrity, sustainability and transportability, as well as the application of modular approaches to archetypal objects, each exhibited work is marked by a presential stamp that firmly roots it in the now. The Max Radford Gallery has welcomed the opportunity to immerse itself within this more industrial design led context, a direction in which it will continue to develop into the future.