The inaugural London Design Biennale has taken over Somerset House this September, presenting newly commissioned installations and works by contemporary designers, innovative concepts and research-led design. Focusing on the theme of ’Utopia by Design’, 37 countries were invited to ponder issues such as sustainability, urbanism, migration and pollution, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Thomas More’s Utopia. Designers and curators developed different definitions of utopia, asking questions whose answers imagine different futures inspired by current situations and issues. Designers and curators analysed the definition of More’s concept and were inspired by moments from the 1516 book, also looking at its meaning with a more contemporary approach. Here is a taste of what’s in store...
London Design Biennale, in partnership with Jaguar (£15/£10 concessions); 7–27 September 2016; Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
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Forecast
Country: UK
Designer: Barber & Osgerby, supported by British Land
London-based designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby worked with the V&A to create their monumental piece, installed in the building’s courtyard. Inspired by the British obsession with weather, the pair created a kinetic, abstract meteorological machine inspired by weather-measuring tools, which will move when triggered by the wind changing direction. With their sculpture, the pair also suggests a future of sustainability and wind energy for the UK
White Flag
Country: Italy
Designer: Antonio Aricò, Associato Misto, Marco Campardo and Lorenzo Mason, Cristina Celestino, Matteo Cibic, CTRLZAK Studio , Francesco D’Abbraccio, Folder, Alessandro Gnocchi, Lanzavecchia + Wai, Lucia Massari, Giacomo Moor, Eugenia Morpurgo, Rio Grande, Sovrappensiero Design Studio, Alessandro Stabile, Studio Gionata Gatto, Studio Zanellato / Bortotto, Gio Tirotto, 4P1B Design Studio
Described as a ’Moment of surrender,’ curators Silvana Annicchiarico and Giorgio Camuffo have planned their idea of Utopia around the idea an iconic peace sign; the white flag. Administered by Triennale Design Museum, they have appointed a team that includes Matteo Cibic, Lanzavecchia + Wai and Giacomo Moor to re-imagine their vision of a white flag set across the clean monochrome tiled space. Together with their interpretations, the designers chose products to adorn the rest of the space in different playful silhouettes.
In-between: The Utopia of the Neutral
Country: Switzerland
Designer: Kueng Caputo, Adrien Rovero, Dimitri Bähler, Stéphanie Baechler, Sibylle Stoeckli, PlueerSmitt, and Jörg Boner
Switzerland’s contribution to the biennale echoed the collaborative spirit of Wallpaper* Handmade, as seven designers were paired up with a niche industrial manufacturer to create a collection of objects that explore ’the dynamics between utopia and the everyday’. Geneva-based designer Stéphanie Baechler caught our eye with her ‘Complications’ project – created in collaboration with Méroz Ressorts – in which she enlarged watch movements into striking, abstract sculptures. Switzerland was rewarded for its sterling efforts, scooping the Jaguar Innovation Model at the biennale.
VR Polis, Diving into the Future
Country: Spain
Designer: Dimeloami Productions, curated by Maite Cantón
Spain looked into the future with its selection of enveloping installations. Focusing on the city of Santander (also know as the ’smart city’), Dimeloami Productions took cues from the area’s recent data accumulation after monitoring pollution, noise and temperature. Thus the exhibition embarks on a futuristic technology warp, like the ’magic time tunnel’ (pictured) that utilises wires and copper tubes to create a riveting tunnel representing a data stream or the Calabrian landscape
Chakraview
Country: India
Designer: Sumant Jayakrishnan
Bringing a vibrant rush of colour to the show, India’s pavilion is inspired by the spirituality surrounding the seven chakras. Honing in on the country’s heritage of textiles, designer Sumant Jayakrishnan alongside curator Rajshree Pathy have created an emporium of bold decorative symbols of the country. In the mirror reflective room, emblematic visuals plaster each of the walls, while primary-hued Aadyam fabrics hang from the ceiling in celebration of the intricate weaving culture.
Plastic Effects
Country: Australia
Designer: Brodie Neill
Inspired by the sheer volume of plastic waste that harbours in the ocean, the Australian pavilion approaches the problem this has on the picturesque environment of the land down under. As one part of the installation, Neill has created a table with a plethora of these plastic pieces to appear as piercing blue terrazzo in a mesmerising display.
