London Design Festival 2011

The London Design Festival is a yearly nine-day design event that was first organized in September 2003 to display different works of art and design of the people of the city. The programme consists of  installations, seminars and exhibitions, mostly free of charge permitting the visitors to take part and acquire products. There were over 250 events going on and I am only posting my favorites, starting with in my opinion, the best compared to the rest:

"Perspectives" at St.Paul's Cathedral generated by Sir Christopher Wren, where amazing architect John Pawson who collaborated with Swarovski Crystal Palace created an installation that was meant to reinforce Sir Christopher Wren's intention, that each and every one of his buildings need to embrace a scientific feature. Therefore Pawson designed  a colossal lens formed of metal and Swarovski crystal to allow the visitors to view the details beneath the spectacular staircase as you are looking down from the top, which emphasizes Pawson's huge appreciation for the masterpiece and that this sweet gesture is merely to take notice of Sir Christopher Wren's outstanding work.

***

Number two on my list would have to be British designer Lee Broom's upholestry "Salon" collection, whose inspiration was derived from the shapely lines of the `1930's upholestry.

I am in absolute awe of the studded detailing! You would think that studs, in the convention of upholstery are normally used for the particular purpose of concealing parts of the manufacturing procedure however, Broom shows us otherwise and conveys that the studs are the main focus of the entire collection, that also play a huge role in accentuating the shape of furniture, making it look more rich and glamorous.

***

The installtion by Japanese designers Nendo "My London" is another favorite, where the designers have creased pieces of London maps to the pillars and walls of the showroom and somewhat arranged them in closely set groups that disseminate towards the edges "like a city fog hanging around the collecion"

***

 Then there is the "Bored Housewife Throne" where designer Walter Raes is inspired by recycled items and transforms trash into fashion. The designer created a chair using household and industrial materials as you can see below, where he used thigh high boots to function as the arms and the legs, and an ironing board for the back of the chair. Some talent there.

I am a big fan of sustainability and absolutely admire Raes's creativity here as I would have never have thought to put together any of the things he has to generate something functional. Clearly his main aim is to send out a message to the world  and that is to think twice before throwing anything away as your trash could be worthy of a functional object, whether it is home or fashionware.

***

[Images via Dezeen, Buy Me Design]