(Things we're doing and stuff we like)
This weekend I attended Belgrade Design Week for the first time. The focus is a very inspiring conference and the keynote speaker this year was Daniel Libeskind who in particular shared with us the thought processes behind his solution for The World Trade Centre site. To a packed audience, we gradually began to follow his journey which took as his prime inspiration the Statue of Liberty. As a Polish child, it was this icon that greeted his family when they first came to New York and this proved to be the catalyst for the concept. It was a memorable few days and will remain as a highlight in my year.
I came across the John Lennon wall in Prague when I was staying in Mala Strana taking my father to see his family. I was so taken by the baroque buildings on my way to Kampa Park that the site of this wall was a strong contrast to the nearby French embassy. During the 80’s after his death and before 1989, students would put graffiti up each night and it became a symbol of free speech. Since pop music as actually banned, he was even more of a hero at that time. Even now, it has a very powerful effect.
After being appointed by The Flower Council of Holland to promote the use of flowers and plants to the design community, Camron organised an event in Milan to tie in with Salone de Mobile. Five influential designers were each invited to create a floral livery for Fiat’s iconic 500s. From Studio Job, whose design incorporated white chrysanthemums and black coachroaches, to internationally renowned designer Karim Rashid, whose Fiat featured flowers in his trademark pink. Fredrikson Stallard, Studio Arne Quinze and Arik Levy also created dramatic designs which definitely stopped the traffic. Not so much vroom vroom then, as bloom bloom….
For this year’s Salone de Mobile, Armani/Casa created a modern Art Déco loft space at the Armani/Teatro to launch the new furniture and lifestyle collection. Camron was asked to invite the UK press to an exclusive press conference in the presence of Mr. Armani when the inspiration and thoughts behind the new collection were announced followed by a Q&A and walk through of the collection. The new pieces will be available at the London New Bond Street store from September. For further information visit also the new website.
After 3 years of intensive preparation, Meta’s first collection included pieces from Asymptote, BarberOsgerby, Tord Boontje, Matali Crasset and Wales & Wales. The new company is part of Mallett, one of the world’s pre-eminent antique houses in the world and was created in conjunction with Louise-Anne Comeau and Geoffrey Monge who acted as creative consultants. The installation in Milan was curated by Jules Wright, creator and director of The Wapping Project. Meta was THE talking point of Milan this year with the Fig Leaf cabinet done by Tord Boontje mesmerising thousands who came to the installation in Zona Tortona, as they appreciated the 616 individually hand- painted enamel leaves.
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Moblog
Toms plaice
Zaha hadid proposed opera house abu dhabi
Emirates palace abu dhabi
Matali crasset for meta
Andree putman for Bisazza