Roca celebrates Zaha Hadid Design in London

Roca London Gallery is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and with it, launches a special exhibition of works by its author, the late, great Dame Zaha Hadid and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). The show, ‘Everything Flows’, which opens this week and will run to the end of 2022, is a thorough exploration showcasing key objects developed by Zaha Hadid Design (ZHD), the practice’s product design arm, over the last 15 years. It is a fitting, festive display that honours the legacy of the British-Iraqi architect’s work before her untimely death in 2016, and the studio’s designs and development beyond – a Roca anniversary to remember.  Located at Imperial Wharf near London’s Chelsea Harbour, the gallery’s form is based on water, ZHA explains. This feels appropriate given that Roca’s core business is in sanitaryware products, but also follows ZHA’s signature approach that often stands out for its flowing shapes, seamless design and mesmerising, sweeping curves. It is a sculptural environment with a strong identity, which makes it a fitting context for an exhibition on the studio’s work in product design too – there is fashion and jewellery, home accessories, furniture, fabrics and lighting.  ‘Everything Flows: Zaha Hadid Design at Roca London Gallery’ ‘In our view, the project was – and still is – truly innovative in terms of design as well as in its materiality, both internally and externally. The space appears seamlessly “carved” by water; a versatile and flexible environment, apt to accommodate a diverse array of events, exhibitions, business meetings and presentations, while also functioning as an office and a showroom which perfectly embody the essence of the Roca brand,’ say Maha Kutay and Woody Yao, co-directors of ZHD.  They continue: ‘For us, the meaning of this anniversary is reflected in the title we have chosen for the exhibition: indeed everything flows and nothing remains the same, we see it as a constant evolution, and thus we must evolve and adapt accordingly. We must always remember where we are coming from as well as which are the values informing our path, but we should not indulge in nostalgia, yet look ahead with renewed motivation, positivity and faith in the future.’  The exhibits include products shown in the UK for the first time, such as a new furniture range made in collaboration with Japanese brand Karimoku and jewellery designed for Tateossian. Saoirse Walsh, cultural programme manager at Roca London Gallery, says: ‘It has always felt like a deep privilege to work within the unique, organic spaces of our Zaha Hadid gallery. We instantly became, and remain, a landmark destination on architecture and design lovers’ maps. ZHA and ZHD are constantly pushing the boundaries of material and form and this exhibition will help reaffirm just how radical an innovator Zaha Hadid was and how her ideas and spirit live on through her practice.’ §
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