How to Display Art? Use Gabions

The artist group 24/7 found a clever, budget-friendly way to showcase their work. When it came to the question of how to display art, they chose to use gabions – a solution they’ve now used twice for their exhibitions, with great success.

The Idea

“We were trying to come up with a way of showing our work that was versatile, lightweight and easy to store,” the group explained. “Most exhibition plinths are very difficult to store as they take up so much space, they are heavy and awkward to transport, and they need repainting each time they are used.”

One of the artists, Dovile, had spotted some unusual wire plinths in an exhibition in Lithuania. “We thought they looked interesting. We were planning an exhibition in a chapel and we wanted to make the work look as if it was floating rather than sitting on plinths that hid the beautiful stone floor.”

After some research, gabions stood out as the best choice. “They fold flat, they’re lightweight, inexpensive and, importantly, very strong.”

Caz Hildebrand shared

Materials used

• 18x PVC L97.5cm x D45cm x H45cm Welded Gabion (3.2mm dia.)
• 4x 75mm x 75mm Galfan Mesh Panel (H45cm x L97.5cm) – 10g/3mm

Finding the Right Fixings

The group quickly learned that not everything worked straight out of the box. “The biggest challenge was how to fix them together and then be able to quickly break them apart again. The standard fixings are tricky to use and very difficult to undo. We opted to use cable ties as they are quick to use and can easily be cut when folding down the gabions at the end of the show.”

Creating Neat Surfaces

They also wanted the tops to look clean. “Instead of balancing work directly on the cages, we added ply boards cut slightly smaller than the gabions. This created a neat surface without drawing attention to the corners.”

Playing with Shapes and Heights

Mixing and matching different cage sizes gave them freedom to play. “One of the best things about the gabions is that they can be used singly, or in groups, and also in different orientations. In our most recent show, we used a mix of gabions, some standing, some stacked up and some lying down.”

The flexibility also helped them deal with time pressure. “The show in the chapel had to be taken down in 15 minutes! We managed it using the gabions – it wouldn’t have been possible with any other system.”

About 24/7

The 24/7 collective includes artists Mils Bridgewater (@mils_bridgewater), Caroline Chouler-Tissier (@carolinechoulertissier), Dovile Grigaliunaite (@dovile.ideas), Natasha Fontenelle (@ms_fontenelle), Caz Hildebrand (@cazhildebrand) and Phillipa Silcock (@phillipasilcock). Their inventive use of gabions has redefined how exhibitions can be put together: faster, lighter and more creative.

Shaping Time Exhibition

Amazing photos taken by Sylvain Deleu

Echoes of Presence Exhibition

Ready to Start Your Gabion Project?

Inspired by the 24/7 Collective? Whether you’re planning a DIY build or a professional installation, we’ve got everything you need to get started.

Learn More About Gabions

• What is a gabion? – Discover what gabions are, their uses, and the benefits they bring to construction and displays.
• How to assemble gabions – Learn different ways to put gabions together for your project.
• How to assemble gabions using clips – Step-by-step guidance for securing gabions with clips.
• Making gabions using panels – Instructions for building gabions from individual panels for custom sizes and shapes.
• How to lace gabions – Tips and techniques for lacing gabions tightly to ensure stability and durability.

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