A black and white image of a car on a cobbled street next to a lamp post. Taken from the University of Brighton Design Archives.

A new exhibition opening at the University of Brighton Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) at Grand Parade is the first in an annual series of collaborations between Brighton CCA and the University of Brighton Design Archives, in which artists and designers are invited to spend time researching in the archives as a starting point for developing an exhibition.

Untitled, circa 1994 refers both to the date when the Design Archives arrived at the University of Brighton and to the problem of naming things as they evolve and change over time. The exhibition is in two halves. In the North Gallery, Round has created a working studio space and sculpture workshop offering an insight into his creative practice. Images and materials selected from the archive’s collections inform the production of prints and sculpture. The work table at the heart of the installation has been designed by Round and produced specially for the exhibition, shown alongside a selection of classic modernist furniture and lighting. Over the course of the exhibition Round will use this space to produce new work, collaborating with the Print Making Department in the School of Art.

Working with the Design Archives team, Round’s research focused his attention on holdings relating to public lighting designs. In particular he is interested in the ways design choices that are made for us in public can manipulate our perceptions and understanding of space. Making innovative use of the gallery spaces as sites for installation and production, Round has devised an exhibition which will grow and change over time as the artist creates new sculptures based on images and designs from the Design Archives.

The exhibition launches with an artist’s talk and panel discussion including members of the Design Archives team on Saturday 18 January, 6-7pm. Visit the University of Brighton Centre for Contemporary Art website for more details.