We love nothing more than seeing forward-thinking design and great craftsmanship here at Juno Hire. Unsurprisingly the London Design Biennale gets us rather excited. This still relatively new, yearly exhibition showcases some of the world’s most interesting and innovative designers. The theme for 2018 was ‘Emotional States’. Countries from six continents displayed their creations at Somerset House in an attempt to show how design can ‘challenge, delight, educate and surprise’. Here are five of our favourites…
Designed by Latvian-born artist Arthur Analts, Matter to Matter is inspired by the relationship between Latvians and nature. More specifically, Analts’ own home town, Riga, which is close to the Baltic Sea and surrounded (as is much of Latvia) by dense forests. The installation comprises of a large, green glass, on which Analts creates a condensation effect. This replicates an effect that happens daily on the glass interiors of Riga’s buildings due to the natural humidity of the city. As with misty bus windows, visitors leave messages and drawings on the glass. The space’s floor is covered with Latvian bark and there is a large, solid bench made from birch. These elements are evocative of the quiet yet dramatic forests of Latvia and furthermore of the ‘reserved and resilient’ Latvian people.
David Elia is the designer responsible for Brazils installation Desmatamento, or ‘Deforestation’. It highlights the continuing destruction of the Amazon Rainforest and the emotional repercussions of the destruction not only on the people of Brazil but on the people of the world as a whole. The installation is housed in an intimate room and comprises of stools made from Eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus is a fast growing, sustainable tree that has been introduced to the Amazon for reforestation purposes. The blue painted bases of these stools symbolise the mark used by forest wardens to highlight the trees that should be saved. The space also has more literal evocations of the rainforest through the means of a ‘bespoke aroma’, immediately transporting visitors into this fragile ecosystem.
Full Spectrum is a dazzling display of 150 swaying strands of fibre-optic light, each a different colour. Created by lighting designer Flynn Talbot, the installation is inspired by the recent legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia and by the new, tangible sense of love and acceptance that he has seen in his country since the amendment was made at the end of 2017. Stemming from the iconic Pride flag, Talbot wanted his creation to use the whole spectrum of colours. Visitors are welcome to touch and move the strands of light, or simply stand and let the welcoming colours wash over them.
Tabanlioğlu Architects’ design for Turkey questions what the emotional meaning of home is to people in this fast-paced, technologically driven era. White rods make up the perimeter of the cubic, house-like installation, each strategically spaced apart so as to create both a sense of enclosure and exposure. What do we class as home? Is it a traditional square house, or is it something greater, transgressing walls? At night, lights inside the initially clinical white rods, glow and create a warm, welcoming space. At the centre of this space is a divan, ‘like a mother’s lap’, describes the Tabanlioğlu Architects.
Since Ancient Times, Greece has had a long-standing interest in the relationship between people and architecture. The open forums and Acropolis in Athens saw the birth of democracy and this deep-seated connection between space and humanity. This has inevitably fed down to contemporary Greek architects. For their piece, the architects from Studio INI have created a 17 metre long cage like tunnel, made from steel, recycled plastic and AI technology. When people walk through this tunnel, the structure ‘reacts’, flexes and changes shape. Studio INI describes this interaction and subsequent alteration between the person and the structure as an ‘act of creative disobedience’ and could be a glimpse of what’s to come in buildings of the future.
The London Design Biennale is running until 23rd September at Somerset House, London. Tickets can be found here.
All images from www.londondesignbiennale.com
–
Juno Hire provides bespoke, design-led, high-quality bar and furniture hire for any function, party or event. We currently offer our furniture hire services in London and surrounding areas. Get in touch at [email protected].