Field notes from London Design Festival 2018
LDF in Effect
The design extravaganza that is London Design Festival just wrapped up, and we came away filled with inspiration from the generous helpings of material experimentations and deliciously rich visual expressions. With over 550 exhibitors from 36 countries showcasing what's new and what's next in furniture, lighting, and objects, there were so many delights to choose from. Here are some of the most memorable.
PlasticScene in King’s Cross
Laura Houseley, PlasticScene brought together new designs made from waste plastic and topped the numerous projects exploring new directions in sustainability this year. The goal—which was achieved and then some—was, according to Shaw, "to elevate the perception of waste plastic, presenting it not just as a material to be feared but one to be embraced, explored and enjoyed" and "to provide important starting points and inspirations for a wider use of waste plastics." Including tables, chairs, shelves, lighting, and more, the pieces on view were created by some of the brightest stars in contemporary design, all ones to watch: Wendy Andreu, Studio ilio, Dirk Vander Kooij, Max Lamb, Shahar Livne, M-L-XL, Kim Markel, Chris Pearce, Jorge Penadés, James Shaw , Silo Studio, Soft Baroque, Thing Thing, and Chen Chen & Kai Williams. Photos courtesy of PlasticScene.
Curated by RCA-grad James Shaw and editor-in-chief of Modern Design Review magazine
Matter of Stuff Pop-Up Gallery at Fenman House in King’s Cross
Raw Edges, whose special genius lies in the duo's talent for transforming the humblest materials into enchanting art-like designs. Within the Raw Edge's environment, we spotted eye-catching, on-trend designs by the likes of Bohinc Studio, CC-Tapis, Simone Crestani , Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, Julian Mayor, Novocastrian , Utopia & Utility, Uufie, Wonderglass, and more. In sum, we swooned at the combinations of colors, patterns, shadows, and light. Photos courtesy of Matter of Stuff.
Matter of Stuff's pop-up had so much life, thanks to the scenography created by the always amazing
Hilos Invisibles (Invisible Threads) at Aram Gallery
Matteo Fogale, who collaborated on the project with seven Uruguayan studios. Last year, Fogale, who was born in Uruguay, accepted a residency at Montevideo's Vilamajó House Museum, the 1930s home of leading Uruguayan modernist architect Julio Vilamajó. The resulting furniture and lighting designs exude the strong modernist sensibility that Fogole found in Vilamajó's interiors and effects—especially in the efficient, streamlined forms—but the color palette and proportions feel beyond contemporary. Photos courtesy of Aram Gallery.
Aram Gallery is such a reliable venue to discover thought-provoking, imaginative young designers, and Hilos did not disappoint. The exhibition included new objects by one of our favorite London-based designers,
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Text by
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Emma Lucek
A British-born Pole currently based in Berlin, Emma has a background in research and design. In addition to being Pamono's Design Editor, lately she's been working on critical writing in the fields of art, architecture, and cultural theory, as well as design journalism.
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LAAB-Light & Leaves Pendant Lamp (Model L) by MIYUCA
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WNWI High Back Chair by De Allegri and Fogale, 2016
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WNWI Bench by De Allegri and Fogale, 2016
WNWI Low Back Chair by De Allegri and Fogale, 2016
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Bubble Chandelier by Simone Crestani
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Bighorn Bottle by Simone Crestani
Longhorn Bottle by Simone Crestani
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Small Well Proven Stool by Marjan van Aubel & James Shaw for Transnatural Label
Medium Well Proven Stool by Marjan van Aubel & James Shaw for Transnatural Label
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Structural Skin Table Lamp Nº02 by Jorge Penadés, 2017
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Pink Glow Chair by Kim Markel, 2017
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