An exhibition and book celebrating the 21st anniversary of Form

21 objects, representing 21 stories will take you behind the work to reveal the people and partnerships which have made the last 21 years such a rewarding, rollercoaster experience.

 

FormTwentyOne exhibition

 

An eclectic series of objects chosen by founding partners Paul West and Paula Benson will be displayed in Blackall Studios, each of which represents a story relating to the fascinating collaborations which have been part of Form’s journey - from East 17 to Elbow, from Damien Hirst to Rankin - and everyone in between. Such stories include a misunderstanding with The Clash’s Joe Strummer, adventures in representing UK Design in Mexico and Japan, witnessing the birth of both Brit Pop and Brit Art and ‘cosmic ordering’ of a commission from Virgin Galactic. The exhibition and accompanying book also serve to document 21 years of changes in culture, music, art and design and technology.

 

“Form has built its reputation on being the real deal. Formed in 1991, the agency went on to conquer pop with an instinctive grasp of artist identity, bold ideas and the deft deployment of humour (remember the East 17 dog logo?). Many of the ideas Form helped standardise in the music industry were subsequently borrowed by other sectors, and while still in demand for work across artists as diverse as Elbow and The Saturdays, founding partners Paul West and Paula Benson are now immersed in those other areas, working with the likes of Virgin Galactic, TV channels, fashion labels, festivals and events, finding new ways to adapt the rulebook they wrote, and showed the world through the medium of pop, in the 1990s.” 

Peter Robinson. Founder popjustice.com, writer for NME/The Guardian/The Times/Stylist.

 

Exhibition opening times:

Fri 8 June - Weds 13 June 2012

Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon: 10am - 5.30pm 

Tues/Weds: 10am - 9pm 

 

Blackall Studios

73 Leonard Street, Shoreditch 

London, EC2A 4QS 

Entry: Free.

 

FormTwentyOne book

 

The limited-edition individually numbered 52-page book to accompany the exhibition, designed by Form, with foreword by Peter Robinson and printed by Push Print will be available for purchase from the exhibition.

 

It will also be available by mail order from www.form.uk.com/shop/ from 8th June, and from select design book stockists.