Grand Stand 2

Even the most spectacular trade fair stand disappears again as fast as it was set up and remains only an ephemeral memory. However this two-volume photographic record, the result of a cooperation between publishers Frame and Gestalten Verlag, provides not just an inspiring encyclopaedic collection of such stands but is also a colourful memento album. Volume 1 collects stands with an area of below 500 m2, while Volume 2 deals with stands covering an area of more than 500 m2, taken together almost 200 works.

Arranged by branch of industry such as "interior and architectural products", "automotive", "electronics", "services", "food", "fashion & beauty" and "retail", each double page shows excellent photos of the stand, a short description of the concept and a list of facts containing the name of the designer, the exhibiting company, the time and place as well as notes on materials, stand size and budget.

Unfortunately there are neither floor plans nor cross sections, only brief details of the materials used and no technical data at all. Questions like: "How has that been fastened in place?", "It's really well lit there, but where is the lamp?" or "How long in advance did they start producing those parts?" are simply too practical for this publication.

The selection is impressive in spite of this, and the general standard is very high. From tiny bays via stage sets with elaborate sound and lighting right down to spare-no-cost corporate identity worlds – the photos make you look forward to your next trade fair visit.

Facts
Author: Clare Lowther, Marlous Willems (ed.)
Clare Lowther, Marlous Willems (ed.)
568 pages, numerous coloured photos
24,0 x 32 cm, 2 bound volumes in a cardboard slipcase
Gestalten Verlag, Berlin and Frame Publishers, Amsterdam 2009
Recommended publisher's price: 99,00 EUR
Text: English
ISBN 978-3-89955-305-5