The design duo Isabel Gibson and Helen Chesner, collectively known as Isabel + Helen, recently celebrated a decade of their studio's groundbreaking work with an exhibition titled "Motion Sickness." Hosted at The Conran Shop during the London Design Festival, the display was a testament to their innovative approach, featuring a dynamic collection of colorful, moving installations. These captivating pieces, ranging from rotating spheres to flapping structures and mobile contraptions, not only highlighted the studio's journey but also offered visitors a deep dive into their distinctive model-making methodology. This exhibition underscored the duo's commitment to exploring the nuances of motion and its emotional impact on observers.

Central to Isabel + Helen's philosophy is the hands-on creation of prototypes, a method that allows them to bring abstract concepts to life and test their kinetic potential in the physical world. This exhibition served as an illuminating behind-the-scenes look at their creative process, revealing how initial ideas quickly evolve into tangible, moving objects. Many of the showcased models were early versions of projects developed for high-profile clients like Hermès and Burberry, or for installations at prestigious venues such as the V&A and the Coachella festival. The exhibition not only showcased their final products but also emphasized the iterative and experimental nature of their design journey, where trial and error play a crucial role in refining their artistic vision and ensuring that each piece achieves its intended dynamic effect.

A Decade of Dynamic Exploration: Isabel + Helen's Kinetic Journey

Isabel Gibson and Helen Chesner, operating as Isabel + Helen, commemorated ten years of their artistic endeavors with the "Motion Sickness" exhibition at The Conran Shop. This showcase for the London Design Festival captivated audiences with its vibrant, animated designs, reflecting a decade of exploration into kinetic sculpture. The exhibition highlighted their signature design philosophy, deeply rooted in the process of model-making and iterative prototyping, offering a rare glimpse into the preliminary stages of their collaborations with global brands and cultural landmarks. Their work, characterized by its playful interaction with movement, invites viewers to engage with art in a dynamic and ever-evolving manner, making each piece a narrative of motion and transformation.

Since establishing their studio in 2015, following their graduation from Chelsea College of Arts, movement has remained a core fascination for Isabel + Helen. Their work frequently incorporates a sense of transformation or a dramatic reveal, utilizing motion to evoke a spectrum of emotions from joy to intrigue. The exhibition vividly demonstrated this by featuring diverse kinetic elements, including abstract spinning forms and intricately designed wheeled mechanisms. A notable aspect of the show was a series of limited-edition motion paintings, created using a unique kinetic machine designed by the duo themselves. This device spins a paintbrush to produce concentric circles, illustrating their innovative approach to integrating movement into static art. Other engaging pieces included a toy train carrying wobbling eggs and paper spheres that spun when activated, each demonstrating the duo's hands-on experimental process where models are constantly refined until they achieve the desired kinetic effect, emphasizing their belief in the power of physical experimentation over mere conceptualization.

The Conran Shop's Evolving Vision and Isabel + Helen's Impact

The "Motion Sickness" exhibition not only marked a significant milestone for Isabel + Helen but also highlighted their long-standing relationship with The Conran Shop. This partnership, spanning a decade, began with one of the duo's inaugural commissions for the store's London Design Festival exhibit in 2016, named "A Load Of Jargon." The current exhibition is among the first to be hosted in the basement gallery of The Conran Shop's flagship store on Sloane Square, symbolizing a new chapter for both the designers and the retailer. This event signifies The Conran Shop's refreshed focus on showcasing its own curated collections and innovative collaborations, moving beyond its previous model of simply stocking other brands' products, thus reaffirming its commitment to nurturing design talent.

This exhibition arrives at a pivotal moment for The Conran Shop, which has been undergoing a significant transformation since 2023 under its founder, Sir Terence Conran. The retailer is actively repositioning its business model to emphasize its exclusive collections, exemplified by recent collaborations such as the furniture line launched with Francis Sultana during last year's London Design Festival. The collaboration with Isabel + Helen for "Motion Sickness" perfectly aligns with this strategic shift, showcasing innovative design and artistic expression within the store's newly revitalized spaces. By hosting such pioneering exhibitions, The Conran Shop reinforces its legacy as a cultural hub for design, inviting a broader audience to experience cutting-edge artistry and the evolution of contemporary design practices, solidifying its role as a leading voice in the design community.