I have been in love with Somerset House all summer keeping a close eye on their events programme. When I found out they were involved with LDF this year, hosting a new Design Destination it immediately went in my calendar. The first ever of its kind, the London Design Biennale, brought together teams from around the world to celebrate the universal language that is, design.
'Forecast' By United Kingdom - Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby
London is a capital that is home to businesses and communities from each of the 37 countries represented in the Biennale all brought together by the theme of Utopia. Each design team exhibited an installation that explores how architecture, design, engineering etc. contribute in some way to making the world a better place.
Utopia By Design has created a conversation about how the world of the future might look like. By having all these countries come together in one very splendid location, they are exposed to new ideas, inspiring each other and promoting a continued dialogue.
So here is my A-Z of the installations by country (not them all just my favourites) you decide if you think they have made Utopia or Oblivion?
'Bliss' By Albania - Helidon Xhixha & Mara Firetti
'Plastic Effects' By Australia - Brodie Neill
'LevelL' By Austria - Mischer's Traxler Studio
'New Peak' By Shenzhen, China - Urbanus
Utopia means Elsewhere By Germany - Konstantin Grcic & Olivia Herms
Chakraview By India - Sumant Jayakrishnan
Human.Touch By Israel - Yaniv Kadosh & Sharona Merlin
'White Flag' By Italy - Curators: Silvana Annicchiarico & Giorgio Camuffo
'Mezzing in Lebanon' By Lebanon - Curator: Annabel Karim Kassar
'Border City' By Mexico - Fernando Romero EnterprisE, Pentagram & BuroHappold
'Design Diorama' The Netherlands - Studio Makkink & Bey
'Daalaan' By Pakistan - Coalesce Design Studio
'Water Machine' By Saudi Arabia - Basma Bouzo & Noura Bouzo
VR Polis By Spain - Dimeloami Productions
'The Wish Machine' By Turkey - Seyhan Ozdemir & Sefer Caglar
Overall I think Pakistan and India were my top two for beauty, I have a soft spot for printed textiles at the moment. In terms of the idea itself the Water Machine & Wish Machine, similar name different countries, were the ideas that I got involved with in the moment.
