Details
Modern Art Oxford’s brief to promote access and use of the Gallery was met with the transformation of an existing delivery yard into a ‘storefront gallery’ venue.
The new 5 × 15 × 5m ramped lobby is itself positioned as an installation work; not permanent, plastered or white, but carefully constructed from unadorned huge timber and polycarbonate panels. The continuous laminated timber surfaces create a simple backdrop, allow curatorial freedom, and offer fixing points anywhere. Artists transform this entry space with an ongoing programme of exhibits.
The Yard provides a new entrance and overall image for the museum on a more active street frontage, with direct level access, in central Oxford. Streetscape improvements are envisioned as a result. The Yard is intended to address the pedestrian or cyclist; shoppers and tourists are as welcome as students and regular gallery-goers. The deliberate omission of façade connects the gallery directly with the Oxford streetscape by day. At night, a specially painted and perforated roller shutter invites the passer to view interior and exterior as a simultaneous artwork. The interior can clearly be perceived as sculpture, the 1.5mm thick façade as a painting.
The Yard emerged from an idea for an ‘artbox’ from the MAO Director.
dRMM pursued this modest project as an interior intervention, unlocked the 19C building, and coordinated the design input of engineers, catering consultant and LED lighting manufacturer. Contributing artwork for bar, furniture and roller shutter by collaborating artist Richard Woods helps present gallery architecture as ‘useful art’.
Photography © 
