Pavilion of Art and Design PAD London 2013 another great event.

Pavilion of Art and Design PAD London 2013 another great event.

David Franchi – Thursday, 7th November 2013

Madchen by Mel Ramos (2009) © Photo London Art Reviews.com

At its 7th edition, PAD – Pavilion of Art and Design 2013, London, has been another successful event. Located in Mayfair, one of the art hotspots of London, PAD is known for its capacity and expertise to connect the best coming from many different areas.

The London PAD edition 2013 has seen a total of 60 exhibitors coming from 12 countries. PAD 2013 offered a view on museum-quality works from some of the leading international galleries of the world.

PAD usually focuses on the main subject of modern art, design, decorative arts, tribal art, photography and jewellery. For the 2013 edition also Antiquities and Japanese Art were present.

Despite been organised during the Frieze Art Fair week, therefore in between many others art events, PAD London 2013 Revealed very good sales figures.

PAD London 2013 is a good event about contemporary design. The galleries that joined the fair included some of the best in the world, while 20^th Century design also has seen the participation of more exhibitors, and turn-of-the-century furniture was represented by Atelier DL and Oscar Graf.

Ranging from Impressionist drawings to post-war abstract paintings, the selection of works presented by new modern art galleries was of exceptional value and excellent origin.

This year was set to be the strongest yet for tribal art at PAD with the added participation of Bernard Dulon, whose collection of African art has attracted the attention of renowned institutions and museums worldwide. The field of antiquities was also introduced with David Ghezelbash and Gordian Weber Kunsthandel exhibiting a range of exceptional works from ancient Rome, Egypt and Greece. Japanese art and armour made a first-time appearance at PAD with expert gallery Jean-Christophe Charbonnier.

The PAD London -Moët Hennessy Prize 2013 was also assigned. The winners were Valentin Loellmann, with “Spring Summer” (2013) for contemporary Design; Paul Dupré – Lafon “Ski Bar” (1929) for the 20th Century Decorative Arts; and the Best Stand was Hamiltons Gallery, London. The prestigious judging panel, chaired by Jasper Conran, and including architect Amanda Levete, designer Tom Dixon and Serpentine Gallery director Julia Peyton-Jones.

The innovative design project “MwangaBora” by Evans Wadongo has been displayed. It is made of solar lamps which are changing

Zao Wou Ki (1996) © Photo London Art Reviews.com

lives in rural Kenya, where they are substituting the dangerous kerosene lamps and firelight commonly used. A celebrated Kenyan engineer Wadongo was named a CNN Hero in 2010. The project was conceived by fashion designer Reed Krakoff. The lamps will be sold to benefit Wadongo’s organisation Sustainable Development for All Kenya (SDFA-Kenya), a not-for-profit that creates opportunities for education, sustainable development and economic empowerment throughout Africa.

Another exciting addition was the “1 Picasso for 100 Euros” raffle. It was a fundraiser event in which 100 euro tickets could be bought during the fair for a chance to win Pablo Picasso gouache on paper “L’homme au Gibus” estimated by Sotheby’s at $1,000,000. The raffle was organised by International Association to Save Tyre, established to protect the UNESCO World Heritage site in Lebanon.

Also another raffle was made to support CLIC Sargent a charity that helps children with cancer, ticket for £10 to win a piece of commissioned jewellery designed by Vicki Sarge.

At the PAD London everything is accurately designed including the Ruinart Champagne Bar and Restaurant that for the 2013 edition was designed by Paris-based interior architect Charles Zana, and it contained a self-playing piano by Dutch designer Maarten Baas, and lighting by the Japanese design studio Nendo.

PAD London was at Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, from 16th to 20th October 2013.