B.O.O.K. Exhibition Design: Redefining the Medium

An innovative exhibition showcasing the evolution of book design

The B.O.O.K. exhibition explores the concept and medium of books, presenting a unique perspective on their design and development. Curated by Danne Ojeda and designed by Outofstock, this exhibition highlights the relationship between final book designs and their prototyping processes. The installation itself mirrors the layout design of a book page, creating a visually captivating experience for visitors.

The B.O.O.K. exhibition offers a curated selection of published books and their three-dimensional prototypes, showcasing the diverse interpretations of the book medium by designers. By presenting books and models side by side, the exhibition emphasizes the different ways in which designers have reimagined the traditional book format to suit specific content.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is a custom-made table that resembles an unfolded sheet of paper or brochure, giving the illusion of a floating structure. This low table, standing at a height of 300mm, creates a sense of a "flying carpet" and allows visitors to appreciate the exhibits from above, providing a unique bird's eye view. The textual information is cleverly integrated as footnotes, adding to the overall composition of the exhibition space.

The exhibition design incorporates various materials, including vinyl stickers, wood, paper, acrylic, and recycled old books. The use of recycled books as stools further reinforces the connection between the exhibited books and their prototypes, creating a cohesive visual narrative within the space.

One of the key aspects of the B.O.O.K. exhibition is the active role of the audience-reader as a co-creator. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the books, rearranging them on the table-page layout and engaging in bodily interactions. This participatory approach transforms the audience into important collaborators, contributing to the ongoing redesign of the exhibition space.

The B.O.O.K. exhibition took place at the Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore from November 13th to 16th, 2014. It aimed to shed light on the conceptual development and form of the book medium, offering a deeper understanding of its evolution.

This innovative exhibition received the Bronze A' Design Award in 2017, recognizing its outstanding contribution to interior space, retail, and exhibition design. The B.O.O.K. exhibition stands as a testament to the creative ingenuity of its designers, Danne Ojeda and Outofstock, who seamlessly blended art, design, and technology to create a truly immersive experience for visitors.

Image credits: Outofstock, Colossalphotos, and Marvin Tang

Intellectual property notice: Danne Ojeda, d-file studio, Outofstock, Colossalphotos, and Marvin Tang