Interieur 2012 design biennale, Kortrijk
Interieur design biennale set a new standard for the design fair experience during its 23rd outing in Kortrijk this week, thanks to forward thinking new curator Lowie Vermeersch. The former design director at motoring brand Pininfarina not only upped the quality of the exhibitors for this by-invitation-only fair, but ensured that every aspect of the exhibition got the design treatment - from the stands themselves right down to the 'host' and 'hostess' uniforms and the numerous bars and eateries.
'We invited not only designers but also architects and artists [to participate in the fair],' said Lowie, 'so we really approached the Interieur in a multidisciplinary way.' International big guns including Studio Makkink & Bey, Troika, Nendo, Greg Lynn and Muller van Severen were asked to fill their own spaces in the exhibition, responding to the theme of 'Future Primitives'. This proved the highlight of the fair, with a particularly strong offering coming from Antwerp-based studio Muller van Severen, which produced a beautiful and refined collection of metal furniture, enhanced by a bold colour palette.
Interieur design biennale's main hub remained the Kortrijk Xpo, navigated by new zigzagging walkways-cum-installations, designed to enhance visitors' journeys through the show. But the Interieur also broke out to a new destination - a cluster of gallery spaces on Buda Island in the centre of town, made easily accessible from the Xpo thanks to a fleet of Audis.
Here, visitors could marvel at Troika's 'Arcade' lighting installation, which played with the architecture of the gallery, and Sou Fujimoto's 'In the Clouds' installation - originally conceived for Wallpaper* Handmade - among other projects. Visitors to Buda Island could also take time out in Design Marketo's Interieur Bistro, feasting on dishes made from locally ingredients while seated on furniture lent by exhibitors at the fair.
The brainchild of non-profit organisation Interieur Foundation, Interieur isn't just the preserve of design professionals. In fact, its chief aim is to educate and inspire the general public about design, which this year - thanks to Vermeersch's curatorial vision - it did in spades.
ADDRESS
Design Biënnale vzw/npo
Groeningestraat 37
8500 Kortrijk
Belgium
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
The Macallan Horizon with Bentley Motors is a decadent whisky with a luxurious twist
The Macallan and Bentley Motors release ‘The Macallan Horizon’, a single malt whisky with a 180-degree twisted presentation
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Ruby Dickson’s Kim Kardashian paintings explore celebrity culture in London
Ruby Dickson’s ‘Maybe my fairy-tale has a different ending than I dreamed it would. But that’s OK’ is exhibiting at Nicoletti gallery, London
By Sam Moore Published
-
Mayfair’s Murano offers beautiful design and incisively cooked food
Angela Hartnett’s Murano celebrates 15 years of Italian supremacy in London with a fresh look by Fabled Studio
By Sofia de la Cruz Published