15 in 15

This year was the 15th anniversary of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. To celebrate the occasion, Metropolis devoted a section of the 2003 ICFF Directory (which we produce) to the 15 firms or individuals who have made their debuts at the show: Lolah (2002), David Weeks Lighting (1996), Joel Berman Glass Studio (1999), Pablo (1993), Von Robinson/VriD (1998), Heller Incorporated (1999), Chilewich (2001), angela adams (1999), Wilsonart Laminate (1999), Blu Dot (1997), Fold (2002), Bone Simple Design (1993), Tucker Robbins (1998), TRUCK-Product Architecture (2002), and Umbra Inc. (1999).

When the folks at George Little Management, the producers of the ICFF, saw our Directory layouts, they asked us to bring the pages to life. The special exhibit would be in the crystal palace area of the Javits Center, to be seen by fair attendees as they entered through the northern doors.

Our art director, Criswell Lappin, and Directory editor, Kristi Cameron, set to work on organizing the exhibition. Their plans looked great on paper, with its special signage and attractive groupings of objects. But as is always the case, there were unforeseen technical issues to be solved.

For instance, a rare glue was needed, and eventually found, to hold the signage on the floor. There were also surprises when the objects arrived, such as the Tucker Robbins piece that, in the pictures, looked like one small square table, but was actually part of a large shelf.

Determined, Kristi and Criswell forged ahead. Here are some in-process shots that Kristi snapped of Criswell and his crew installing the exhibition to celebrate 15 years of ICFF. Each time I passed by during the four days of the show I saw people sitting in the chairs, taking a moment’s rest from the busy trade show. It was good to see a furniture exhibition work as furniture should—comfortingly useful.