Interview: Lara Pacillo // Photos: 4th Floor Elevator
4th Floor Elevator is a modernist gallery space and experimental design studio, launching within Adelaide’s CBD last month. It’s a collaboration between multimedia artist Eric (aka Ezroh), and the team behind Hype and Seek vintage furniture store, Dexter (aka Dental Jams) and Genevieve. Ahead of their second exhibition, the team share what goes on the 4th Floor, and how furniture is a meaningful vessel.
How would you describe 4th Floor Elevator? Where did the name come from?
Dexter: 4th Floor Elevator is both a modernist gallery space and experimental design studio. Our name derived from our location, 4th floor, 14 Grenfell Street via the elevator, and we dig the abbreviation ‘4FE’. Plus, we’re fans of seminal Texan band The 13th Floor Elevators, so it felt right.
Eric: Once per month the gallery will open to the public for exhibitions. Outside of this, it is an experimental design studio which offers services such as animation, graphics, interior, music, and more.
What motivated you to come together and collaborate on this project?
Dexter: We’ve been working and collaborating on projects together for some time across multiple platforms including music (MONO KIOSKO), installation, visual and performance (MIDIBISHI). And we’re both collectors — hoarders, haha — with a shared love of all things design.
Genevieve: This is something we’ve wanted to do but were just waiting for the right space to appear, and now here we are.
Tell us about your last exhibition. How was it curated/what did it focus on?
Genevieve: Our exhibition “MADE IN AUS” is a thoughtful curation of objects sourced exclusively from our private collection, showcasing the influence of migrant and local talents in furniture art, industrial design, and manufacturing in Australia between the 1950s-1980s.
Dexter: As we both come from migrant backgrounds — Italian and Filipino — we have a family history of working at factories and what shaped Australia as a force in manufacturing. The exhibition is a celebration of Australian manufacturing history, and the quality it produced.
Eric: We wanted people to see and experience the progression of these designs, materials and artists during this time period all in one space. You’ll see bits of our animations across wall projections and TVs as part of the exhibition experience — plus a few 80’s gaming consoles to play with.
Could you share some highlights from the first exhibition? Were there any particular pieces that stood out?
Eric: The main highlights for us were talking with people who came through. We heard so many different stories about these pieces and objects from all different age groups. It’s amazing to hear the connection, influence, and value these pieces hold to the individual.
Dexter: These objects were a vessel which held incredible memories, stories, and emotions for so many which shows the impact design can have on our lives.
What will the next exhibition focus on?
Dexter: The next exhibition will be “MADE IN AUS” again for those who missed out on the first one or want to revisit! It will be the 27th, 28th and 29th of July – keep an eye on our socials for the details with tickets via Humanitix.
Will there be a different focus or theme for each one?
Genevieve: Our aim is to present each exhibition at least twice to allow everyone to get a chance to see it, then we will change one ‘wing’ of the semi-permanent “MADE IN AUS” exhibition to showcase a new collection.
What do you hope for people to experience coming to 4th Floor?
We hope people will enjoy a slice of Australia’s furniture and design manufacturing legacy, presented in a contemporary gallery housed in a historic building in the heart of the city. Hopefully people have fun remembering familiar objects from the past or seeing and experiencing pieces for the first time, and maybe learn a few things too!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A huge thanks to everyone who has supported us. We are super grateful and look forward to the next exhibition!
4th Floor Elevator: Level 4/14 Grenfell Street, Adelaide 5000
