Cast iron

Alain Lemaire was so fascinated by the durability of cast iron and the skill of the artisans who made it that he amassed the largest private collection of cast iron in North America. His collection doesn't just showcase the ingenuity of 19th-century craftsmanship; it also preserves a piece of industrial history for future generations, reminding us of a time when quality was paramount.

Taking inspiration from the casting process, our spatial design features a central circular curtain and red streaks. This striking visual evokes molten metal being poured into a mold.

Inside the curtain, a magnificent, multi-tiered carousel showcases a collection of cast iron objects. The structure itself casts whimsical shadows, but the real magic happens when visitors crank the bright-red handle. This motion brings the carousel to life, making the objects dance on the curtain and filling the space with a sense of magic and memory.

Parc's extensive collection demanded a flexible design that could accommodate showcasing different objects over time. To address this, GSM created a simple yet sophisticated design featuring objects displayed directly on minimalist wood casework, void of traditional display cases. This approach highlights the dramatic contrast of the dark cast iron objects against the light background, making the artifacts the central focus. Inspired by gallery exhibitions, the interpretive labels were designed for easy and quick updates, allowing for dynamic changes in the accompanying text.

Young and old will have fun revealing playful illustrations inspired by the use of some of the objects on display in the gallery. The “punny” drawings can be viewed with the aid of a red-reveal decoder lens provided at the start of the exhibition.