In case you hadn’t already heard, 2009 is officially the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. So, it’s all about change, progression and shiny new things – and where better to celebrate this than the ever changing Budapest? Well, here, as an officially related event, Design Terminal Nonprofit Ltd. will, for the sixth year running, be hosting Budapest Design Week, between October 2nd and 11th. Unsurprisingly, this year’s event’s central theme is Creative Energies, and the main focus will be on artists’ creativity, knowledge-based products and services, new generation materials and 21st century technologies. You’ll have ten days to choose from, so get your creative juices flowing! Oh, and if you miss any, many of the exhibitions continue over the coming months.
In Competition: Hungarian Design on the Global Market
An exhibition of a selection of products that held their ground on the global scene and were created with the participation of Hungarian designers. World patent protected, acclaimed products; venturesome, young designers working within multinational companies and the work of fresh, start-out designers who’ve achieved success within international competitions, are represented as evidence of the competitiveness, knowledge and creativity of Hungarian-grown designers. The exhibition is organised by Design Terminal.
Design Terminal
1051 Budapest, Erzsébet tér
Dates: October 2-November 1, Mon–Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
(opening October 5 at 5 p.m.)
Lighting of the Future – Corian® Exhibition of Lucis Competition Designs
DuPont, the manufacturer of Corian®, announced a competition together with the Czech lightning company, Lucis, for Czech design and architecture students in 2008. The challenge was to design unique and series produced lamps. The exhibition showcases the best creations of the competition.
Belight Show Room
1013 Budapest, Lánchíd utca 7-9.
Dates: October 3-11 (opening October 3 at 3 p.m.)
Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Swiss Design in Hollywood
The Swiss Design in Hollywood exhibition was called into being with the aim of retracing the work of contemporary Swiss artists and their impact upon the creation of the visual world and digital imagery of international film productions and video games. Today, many artists with strong links to Switzerland are working on some of the most publicly recognized projects (including animated films) and leaving an enduring mark on popular culture, although their contribution is largely unknown.
Ponton Gallery
1015 Budapest, Batthyány utca 65.
Dates: October 7-31, opening October 7 at 6 p.m.
Tue-Sat midday-6 p.m.
Reinterpreting Nature: Finnish Design Exhibition
The exhibition explores the ways in which designers are inspired by geological and biological formations, and how they conceive the beauty of an ever-changing environment through the language of objects. The 60 pieces of the exhibition examine the possible links between design and nature through technological achievements, as well as the application of traditional materials and processes.
Iparművészeti Múzeum
1091 Budapest, Üllői út 33-37.
Dates: October 2-25, opening October 8 at 6 p.m.
Tue 2 p.m.-6 p.m., Wed, Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thu 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Presentation of the Finnish Designer: Harrl Koskinen
Harri Koskinen is one of the most recognized Finnish designers of our time. He rose to international fame with his exhibition at the Issey Miyake Design Studio Gallery in 2000, and his clients include Artek, Cassina, Finlandia Worldwide, Iittala, Magis, Marimekko and Muji. His success is also marked by prestigious awards, as well as exhibitions across the globe. From amongst his practical, innovative objects reflecting upon the basic questions of design, Block Lamp, an object resembling an ice cube lit from the inside, has been placed in the design collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art.
Mome Auditórium
1121 Budapest, Zugligeti út 9-25.
Date: October 9 at 11 a.m.
Open Studios
Exactly what it says on the tin. The aim is to present the work of Hungarian designers in order for the public to gain a fuller understanding of the country’s design scene. Get a close-up view of working processes, technical background and craftsmanship, and question away! The doors of 16 designers and design teams will be open to the public.
See www.designweek.hu for more details.