‘Between Reality and the Impossible’ was an exhibition of new work by Dunne & Raby at the Saint-Étienne Design Biennale 2010. The exhibition presented a number of prototypes, as well as short stories and photographic work, exploring new possibilities for a technologically mediated world. Operating as an experiment in how to exhibit conceptual design proposals, where the narrative and ideas are as important as the designs, everything was treated as an object, including texts and images.

Kellenberger–White were commissioned to develop 3D graphics for the exhibition’s warehouse space. Building on the display system developed for Dunne & Raby in the ‘What if…’ window exhibit at the Wellcome Trust, the main stories were designed as rows of 3D polystyrene letters. These were accompanied by rotating dual language (English and French) text panels and bespoke floor tapes for the credits.

The 3D polystyrene letters acted as a prominent feature to guide visitors around the exhibition space.

The material of these letters, along with the bespoke duct tape, picked up on the architectural setting – an industrial warehouse – of the exhibition. Temporary, lightweight and easy to unpack and position, they were also ideal for the short set-up time at the Biennale venue.