Gallery designers announced
14 October 2016
The flagship Scottish Design Galleries within V&A Museum of Design Dundee will be designed by ZMMA, an international practice specialising in museums and arts projects.
The Scottish Design Galleries will present the largely untold story of Scotland’s outstanding design achievements bringing together in one place the world-renowned V&A collections with loans from other collections in Scotland and beyond.
ZMMA bring experience of developing exhibitions for major museum and galleries including Royal Observatory Greenwich, the National Railway Museum, the National Museum of Scotland and the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Europe 1600-1815 which opened in December 2015.
Philip Long, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “This is a significant step for V&A Dundee, confirming the appointment of internationally acclaimed exhibition designers ZMMA.
“As well as covering all the practical considerations of displaying both historic and contemporary design in appropriate conditions, ZMMA’s design approach combines clever use of light, space, materials and interpretative techniques to create gallery displays that are sure to inspire.
“We look forward to working with them to create these permanent galleries which will showcase the most exciting Scottish designers working today, as well as presenting objects from our outstanding design heritage, many of which have not been previously seen.”
V&A Dundee’s curators have short-listed around 300 objects for inclusion in the Scottish Design Galleries. These range from intricate 18th century metalwork linked to Carron Iron and Co in Falkirk to catwalk fashion using traditional Harris Tweed and the latest in digital design. ZMMA will work with the V&A Dundee team to design the galleries over the next year.
Adam Zombory-Moldovan, Director of ZMMA, said: “We are delighted with V&A Dundee’s enthusiasm for our design approach and to have been awarded this great commission. This will be a stunning place and an astonishing Scottish design story, with a fantastic collection.
“We are thrilled to be working with V&A Dundee’s team to present the inspiration and importance of Scottish design – historic and contemporary – to local, national and international audiences.”
Ken Guild, leader of Dundee City Council said: "As V&A Museum of Design Dundee rises at its Waterfront site, work is already being done on the content and presentation in readiness for welcoming visitors.
"The strong offering at the museum will attract people from all over Scotland, the UK and beyond to Dundee and in doing so help to boost and sustain the city's economy."
The Scottish Design Galleries will mainly focus on the last 300 years of Scottish design, including Scottish designers who have built their careers around the world. The permanent collections in the Scottish Design Galleries will be accompanied by international touring exhibitions from the V&A, making Dundee the only location in the UK outside London to receive these globally significant exhibitions.
ZMMA was appointed after an open competition process.
