Dezeen promotion: designjunction will return to the London Design Festival from 24 to 27 September 2015 with a series of installations, activities and "flash factories" across two new locations.
The programme for the event includes a sound-responsive light sculpture by London design consultancy Haberdashery, and a "live doodle" session from New York artist Jon Burgerman.
Flame-shaped lights captured in glass bubbles will form a 20-metre installation by contemporary lighting studio LUUM, which will hang from the main stairwell in The College – the venue located in a building formerly occupied by arts institution Central Saint Martins.
Plastic manufacturer Curver, part of the Keter Group, has collaborated with London design studio FranklinTill to create a colour-inspired five-storey staircase installation at the main stairwell.
"We wanted to create an installation that creates a striking contrast between the character of the iconic Central Saint Martin's building and the Curver KNIT collection, a collection that uses a deep-texture injection-moulding technique," said FranklinTill co-founder Kate Franklin.
A debate hosted onThursday 24 September by Central Saint Martins will question the future of industrial design education, and MA students will create physical pieces in an onsite studio throughout the event.
A series of flash factories will aim to showcase the design processes of a range of individuals and companies, from Japanese artisan Osami Mizuike through to British textiles brand Wallace and Sewell.
Biswa Bangla will demonstrate UNESCO-protected fabric-dying techniques, along with the ancient art of Patachitra – storytelling through hand paintings that are typically made on cloth with vegetable paints.
Laufen & Studio Appétit's Gem Room aims to "bring the old jewellery workshop back to life" by turning it into a dynamic dining space.
Across the road at Victoria House – designjunction's second new venue – leather craftswoman Candice Lau will be showcasing how she constructs her Kuku Big Bag range using a traditional saddle stitching technique.
At Handmade Alliance's flash factory, visitors can have a cushion made in front of them in their choice of Pantone colour.
A herd of customised Eames Elephants accessorised by 21 world-renowned designers will also be on show at Victoria House as part of this year's A Child's Dream charity project, which aims to raise funds and awareness for the Teddy's Wish charity.
Designjunction will take place from 24 to 27 September 2015 during the London Design Festival. Tickets for designjunction acquired online in advance are free for trade and £10 for the public. Dezeen are media partners for the event, and readers can get 50 per cent off the advance ticket price using promo code DJDEZEEN. All tickets on the door are £14.
Read on for more information from the event organisers:
Intriguing Activities, Light Installations and Flash Factories at designjunction2015
From 24 to 27 September, designjunction will bring The College and Victoria House B1 to life with a host of inspiring installations, live activities and flash factories - which will highlight the intricate making process of product design.
Expect to find pioneering lighting displays using the latest technology, artisan crafts which belong to the past, live one minute portraits and debates questioning the future of design…
What to see at the college:
Light installations:
Haberdashery – Light Sculpture
London-based design consultancy, Haberdashery will show DISCODISCO – an impressive sound responsive light sculpture. The 21st century disco ball, sends dynamic patterns of light shimmering across the surrounding wall, floor and ceiling surfaces. Currently in prototype form, this custom artwork is being developed into a fully-fledged modular and scalable lighting solutions.
LUUM – Light installation
Contemporary lighting studio LUUM will launch their stunning new collection, Flame, in a dramatic twenty-metre installation hanging from the main stairwell. Softly glowing flames are captured within delicate glass bubbles and appear to float away from their cable tethers. Described as contemporary and poetic in their design approach, LUUM combine sculpture and light, playfully transforming the surrounding environment.
Curver
Leading plastic manufacturer Curver, part of the Keter Group, in collaboration with London-based design studio FranklinTill, will present the innovative KNIT by Curver collection. This will be exhibited in a design-led and colour-inspired five-storey staircase installation at the main stairwell that positions the collection's 3D design within the context of emerging colour trends.
"We wanted to create an installation that creates a striking contrast between the character of the iconic Central Saint Martin's building and the Curver KNIT collection, a collection that uses a deep-texture injection-molding technique. We have curated a palette of complimentary pastels for the event that will showcase the product in a colour-inspired context and place emphasis on the innovative textures and intricate surfaces," said designer Kate Franklin, from trend forecasters and design studio FranklinTill.
Live activities:
Kirkby Design - Get doodled
NYC based doodle artist Jon Burgerman celebrates his new collaboration with contemporary fabric brand Kirkby Design. Look out for his live one minute portraits, created for visitors during the opening party on Wednesday 23 September - don't miss your chance to be doodled!
Central Saint Martins – WTF Design Education
Central Saint Martins will host a bold debate which questions the future of industrial design education. Join the probing discussions around what industrial design education needs to be, how it needs to be delivered and what its focus should be. MA students from Central Saint Martins will make a physical conclusion to the debate in the onsite, live studio throughout the week.
Flash Factories:
Biswa Bangla - Ancient Arts
Biswa Bangla, will be promoting the artisans and weavers of Bengal, India. They will be demonstrating UNESCO protected dying techniques of handmade muslin weaving, as well as the ancient art of Patachitra – a way of storytelling through hand paintings, made on cloth with vegetable paints. Watch out for Biswa Bangla precessions throughout the show, where the craftsmen and women will parade through both venues with a vibrant live performance.
Coelacanth Shokudou. LLC – A Japanese Artisan
Watch Osami Mizuike demonstrate the ancient craft of nigari basami – a technique used to make stunning, traditional Japanese scissors. The 70-year-old, who is the last man alive to know the trade, is now looking for a successor to carry on the craft at designjunction2015.
Laufen & Studio Appétit – The Gem Room
This collaboration will bring the old jewellery workshop back to life, celebrating the marriage of design and taste in a must-see interactive exhibition. Discover a modular installation, changing from a dynamic design space to an exclusive eating experience.
What to see at Victoria House:
Flash factories:
Holdall & Co - Build a bag
Holdall & Co will be offering a free monogram service by their in-house embossing expert, where customers will be able to watch purchases being personalised. Holdall & Co will also be offering a bespoke service allowing shoppers to custom design the perfect bag for their unique needs, made onsite by British artisans.
Kuku Big Bag - See the stitching
Leather craftswoman Candice Lau will be demonstrating the traditional art of leatherwork using the technique of saddle stitching. This method of hand stitching is used across her Kuku Big Bag range -from hammering the holes into the leather with a prickling iron, to saddle stitching the pieces together.
Wallace & Sewell - Learn the loom
British textiles brand Wallace and Sewell will recreate their colourful studio, showing the design process from initial ideas to the final production on their intricate power looms. Visitors will also have the chance to shop the brand’s beautiful weaves there and then.
Handmade Alliance – Create a cushion
Handmade Alliance will be demonstrating their cut-make-trim services in a live flash factory to showcase the launch of their new made to measure interiors. Visitors can pick their favourite pantone and have a cushion stitched and finished in front of them by a truly diverse, British workforce.
Installations:
Charity project - A Child's Dream
Look out for a herd of customised elephants! Painted, patterned, and accessorised by 21 world-renowned designers and architects who have added their personal touch to the iconic Eames Elephants – donated by Vitra. The unique designs will appear as an installation at designjunction2015 entitled A Child's Dream – to raise funds and awareness for Teddy's Wish charity.