Alec Boreham and Francesco Vitali share a deep appreciation of classical art, music and architecture. As artist duo Alec & Franz they use digital tools to transform meticulous line drawings of historical buildings into sensory experiences. Particularly drawn to the ornate and dramatic characteristics of the Baroque era, they respond to present-day challenges with immersive installations that transcend time and space.
Following their 2024 launch exhibition at Bermondsey Project Space, they return to London with an expanded site specific iteration at Boston Manor House to pay homage to the heritage of this lesser-known architectural gem alongside instantly recognisable landmarks.
The historical Jacobean house is remarkable not only for surviving two world wars, but also for being built under a woman’s guidance more than four centuries ago. Privately owned until the 1920s, when its entire contents and extensive art collection were sold off, it was opened as a public park in 1924 and reopened following extensive restoration in 2023.
The artists bring the house to life with a body of works that ranges from original line drawings and floating prints to large scale panels and interactive installations. A new series directly inspired by the house’s exterior transforms one of the rooms into a visual sanctuary, while another is dedicated to the synthesis of architecture and music.
Alec & Franz are pleased to present a collaboration with JCA London Fashion Academy. Set up by luxury shoe designer Professor Jimmy Y.K. Choo OBE, JCA is located in a wing of Boston Manor House. Students were invited to respond to Floating Architectural Spaces with designs that manifest the interconnection between art and fashion, and the architecture that inspires both.
A separate chapter of the project is dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II on the 100th anniversary of her birth. Her life is celebrated with a display of vibrant prints based on the hues she favoured during her reign. The monochromes at either end remind us of the inevitabilities of the human condition shared by all across nationalities, class and religion.