Photos from The Past The Present & The Possible: Barney Bubbles exhibition in Chaumont

The Past The Present & The Possible was the title of the section in graphics music exhibition White Noise devoted to Barney Bubbles and curated by Reasons To Be Cheerful author Paul Gorman with artist/curator Sophie Demay and Etienne Hervy, director of the International Graphics & Poster Festival held every year in Chaumont, France.

The previous Bubbles exhibition – Process in 2010 – focused on the late designer’s working practices. In contrast, the thematic approach adopted for The Past The Present & The Possible presented finished artwork and used two contrasting yet similarly ambitious projects as counterpoints: the sleeve for 1972’s triple album Revelations: A Musical Anthology From The Glastonbury Fayre and the packaging for Elvis Costello & The Attractions’ Armed Forces, released in 1979.

As you can see from these photographs taken at Chaumont’s Les Subsistances, the Bubbles section occupied around half the available space, with 18 tables and vitrines displaying a total of 300 exhibits and specific areas devoted to:

• Kate Moross’ video triptych (see below)

• Monitors screening videos directed by Bubbles

• A vinyl deck allowing visitors to select records housed in Bubbles’ designs

• Wall spaces dedicated to work for Ian Dury, including the Do It Yourself promotional campaign, and the group of 6ft x 4ft Live Stiffs posters.

These were contributed by photographer Chris Gabrin from his own framed collection.  Others who provided original examples of finished artwork include Deke Eichler, Peter Jenner, Andrew Sclanders and Belinda Syme, to all of whom much thanks.

During White Noise’s run from May 26 to June 10 it was visited by more than 2,000 people, many graphics and design students from all over France.

For photographs and details of the other White Noise participants, go here.

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Photos from The Past The Present & The Possible: Barney Bubbles exhibition in Chaumont