100% Design at Vivienne Westwood, Afrofuture, Superstudio13, Superstudio Piu, Via, Designersblock
Thursday 11 April 2013
8th May 2013
By Dieneke Ferguson and Manuel Ruiz-Adame
Thursday was a busy day as we wanted to see different shows in different parts of Milan.
Vivienne Westwood – 100% Design
Corso Venezia 25
Vivienne Westwood – 100% Design designers, Milan design Week 2013
This is where 100% Design showcased the ‘New British’ a special interpretation of the creative campaign devised by 100% Design for this year’s show at Earls Court, London, in September.
Inspired by the concept of ‘Creative Balance’, the installation was on show in the main display window of the Vivienne Westwood Milan flagship store. A series of further design installations were available for the public to see throughout the store. Amongst others Deadgood, Viable (a group of three designers who met in one of our Hidden Art exhibitions in Milan 2005 and founded Viable), Dare Studio, Decode, Anglepoise, Bethan Gray.
Viabe, at Vivienne Westwood, Milan Design Week 2013
I had never been in the Vivienne Westwood shop. The window display was lovely and work from UK designers was elegantly displayed throughout the shop blending in well with the Vivienne Westwood clothing.
A strong focus of Brera Design District was food and design given the large number renowned restaurants and historic bars. This was reflected in the Food Tours that were organized for the week.
There were car seats out in the street as well as a beautiful glass kitchen.
Car Seats, Brera, Milan Design Week 2013
Glass kitchen, Brera, Milan Design Week 13
From here we walked to La Rinascente, passing by the most amazing street performer we have ever seen.
Afrofuture, La Rinascenta
c/o Design Supermarket la Rinascente -1 level
www.afrofuture.it
Afrofuture, Rinacenta, Milan Design Week 2013
This is the 3rd or 4th year that La Rinascente are participating in the Milan Design Week with its Design Supermarket. Hidden Art also exhibited here through the UK Embassy exhibition in Milan.
Whilst we were there a workshop was in full swing and there were some nice examples of the Afro future, which was described as an adventure with Africa’s makers, thinkers and dreamers.
Kartell in Design Supermarket, Afrofuture, Rinacenti, Milan Design Week 13
From there we ended up in the Mc Coffee, the latest designer McDonalds where the coffee was nice and the décor very much Milan. It was the cheapest place to have some coffee in the centre of Milan.
MccCafe, near Duomo, Milan Design Week 2013
It was also great to see the Duomo being restored to its former glory.
Duomo restored, Milan Design Week 2013
From here it was on to the Zona Tortona.
Zona Tortona
Superstudio 13
Via Forcella 13, Via Bugatti 9
Here we visited Superstudio 13 where we exhibited in the past for 3 consecutive years from 2003 to 2005 when we occupied the entire venue sharing it with Metropolitan Works, Design nation and even a double decker which was driven all the way from London courtesy of TFL
Transport for London bus and exhibits at the Hidden Art Design London stand, Superstudio 13 in Milan 2005
Superstudio Piu (Museum for New Design)
Via Tortona 27
We then passed by Superstudio Piu as well as the French Via that was next to Superstudio Piu In Superstudio Piu we bumbed into Frank (Pam and Matt), winners of three tenders for our exhibition stands, 1 in Milan (2005) and 2 at 100% Design in Earls Court (2003 and 2004), who as us were trying to see as much as possible in a very condensed time period.
View of Design London exhibition in Superstudio 13, Milan 2005
VIA
c/o Closed
Via Tortona 31
Fondesco Textile Canopy by Statue (Louise de Saint-Angel & Romain Guillet, ViA, Milan Design Week 13
The French organization VIA is supported by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and aims to be a unique platform dedicated to promoting progressive design and creation for the home, the work place and the urban environment.
They have exhibited for many years in Milan, and I also go and visit their show as it slightly resembles what Hidden Art aims to do.
They exhibited some nice designs of some of the projects they have assisted, all in prototype form.
Designersblock
Then on to Designersblock at the OFFICINE CREATIVE ANSALDO on Via Tortona 54.
Here we ended up in Designersblock catching up with Rory and Kreisdesgn who also attended the Designersblock Making the Most of Milan session at Hidden Art on the 27 March 2013 before the Milan Design Week. You can see further information here on Making the Most of Milan presentation by Designersblock in Association with Hidden Art on 27 March 2013
Designersblock exhibited over 70 UK and international designers in a lovely space – huge, a white canvas and masses of visitors.
Kreisdesign at Designersblock, Milan Design Week 2013
Designersblock, Milan Design week 2013
We then called it a day and headed back to Porta Genova. The bridge to get to Porta Genova was so packed that it took us over 20 minutes to get across the bridge. I tried to take a photo but unfortunately you can’t see much because of it already being dark.
late at night bridge to Zona Tortona
Tuesday 9th April 2013, Maggazini
Wednesday 10th April 2013: Salone Satelite, Salone de Mobile, Moooi
Friday 12 April 2013, Lambrate District, Mostsalone, DesignJunction, Droog
Saturday 13 April 2013, Triennale Design Week
