Marilyn, The Exhibition

Project description

Marilyn was a ground-braker. In male dominated Hollywood she was not just a blonde screen icon but a leader in her field making the transition from pin-up, to superstar, to Studio Producer. We think this journey resonates with many women today. She was a prolific film maker and we wanted to express this incredible filmography – hence the ‘Walk of Fame’.

The gallery space is lofty and tough and made of dark brickwork. We wanted to create intimate spaces and special display vitrines- almost shrine like, to display Marilyn’s objects. There is a huge variety in the size and scale of the objects and so the display cases are limited to two sizes, to give the visitor experience visual consistency. In this vast space lighting was key and we created intimate domestic-scale spaces through clever lighting design using small and focused fittings which were adjustable and dimmable.

Marilyn  spent her life in and out of film studios. Our design has the feel of film sets yet displays the objects in a special and jewel like way. Vitrine and billboard walls are constructed with visible softwood frames found on film sets and walls. They are clad in Honext, a material made from waste from the paper making industry. In some places we have left the Honext untreated and unpainted to echo the behind-the-scenes nature of a studio.

Marilyn was a feminine icon and a sensual and elegant woman.  Paint colours for the displays are selected to reflect this sensuality. Gold anodised aluminium forming the display cases are beautifully lit and represent this special quality.

We wanted visitors to be excited. Marilyn’s life was exciting and her films are fun and enjoyable. So as well as displaying object we introduced a series of special moments in the arches where visitors can engage with the objects and enjoy themselves. The dramatic Walk of Fame leads to hand-prints in concrete, a subway grate fan and giant Hollywood sign.

Almost all of the material used in the exhibition was reused locally following the takedown, a key plank of our Re:Low design philosophy. We made a film about the re-use please see below.