The Tournament in Trafalgar Square
An installation created by Spanish designer, Jaime Hayón, The Tournament will consist of a gigantic chess set, with 2m high ceramic chess pieces designed and painted by Hayón on a specially created mosaic glass chess board. The installation, which will be set between the two fountains in Trafalgar Square, will be in situ from Saturday 19 – Wednesday 23 September.
The V&A
The London Design Festival will take up residence within the V&A. Highlights include:
- Arts Co: ‘Wasted’ is a project conceived and curated by Arts Co, presented in the tunnel connecting South Kensington station to the V&A. Architect Ian Douglas-Jones and designer Ben Rousseau will create a seating installation using reclaimed materials.
- 'In Praise of Shadows': In Praise of Shadows showcases works by 20 European designers who imaginatively explore not only the potential of low energy lighting but also the way we think about light and darkness. The exhibition is supported by EUNIC, a network of European Cultural Centres – together with the European Commission Representation in the UK.
- The Wallpaper* Chair Arch: Inspired by a tradition of improvised public sculpture, popular in Victoria times, Wallpaper* magazine’s contribution to the London Design Festival is the installation of a contemporary ‘Chair Arch’. Designed by Martino Gamper with chairs provided by Ercol the arch will be on display in the garden of the V&A for the duration of the Festival.
- Pentagram poster exhibition: Domenic Lippa, Partner at Pentagram Design and Sir John Sorrell, chairman of the London Design Festival, have curated a poster exhibition featuring 20 limited editions by leading graphic designers and typographers.
- London Design Embassy: The London Design Embassy – the hub of the Festival and the ultimate meeting place for those connected with the London Design Festival - will be established in the Sackler Centre and open for business from Monday 22 September to Friday 27 September providing space for meetings and networking for international visitors.
- Design tours: Key London designers, including Sir John Sorrell, Terence Conran and Nigel Coates, will be offering design tours around their favourite rooms within the V&A.
- The Business of Design Talks with the FT: A series of five talks tackling relevant and topical issues of the day is on offer from 8-9am on subjects such as ‘Evolving Architecture’ and ‘Design in Adversity’. The talks will be led by panels of high-level speakers from across the worlds of business, design, architecture, retail and fashion, both in the UK and abroad.
- Wrong Wood/Bench Press: A new commission of benches has been created by Sebastian Wrong (Established & Sons) in collaboration with artist Richard Wood and these will be located in the main entrance of the V&A beneath the dome. The benches will be made from American Tulipwood, supported by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC).
100% Design is the UK's leading architecture and design event showcasing everything for the modern building and interior. JAM has taken over as the creative director for this year's 100% Design London, following in the footsteps of Ben Kelly, Tim Pyne, and more recently Tom Dixon. They will create a show experience that reflects the importance of British design in the UK and internationally.
Designersblock 24 – 27 September
This innovative show of cutting edge work will be linking up with 100% Design at Earls Court for the first time this year. More than 50 established and emerging Designers, Collectives and Design Companies will present furniture, lighting, textiles, accessories, digital animation, musical instruments, installations, concepts, design services and design product.
The Design Museum
Their annual Designers in Residence exhibition will showcase emerging UK designers. The popular Friday late night event on 25 September will allow visitors to immerse themselves in London design, past, present and future at the Super Contemporary exhibition.
Tent London 21 – 24 September
International, emerging and established designers across all disciplines will be shown in Brick Lane. Tent Digital will debut at The Truman Brewery.
Tom Dixon 21 – 27 September
The Dock is an emporium of creative talent instigated by Tom Dixon. A series of stand-alone exhibitions and indoor and outdoor installations will be presented. The space will host design and architecture talks, pop up cafes and a strong display of international design brands. There will be a public late night opening on 22nd September from 8pm.
Cockpit Arts and Sort 22 – 27 September
Maker Difference – Pop Up Letterpress Studio
Sort (Society of Revisionist Typographers) use antique letterpresses to create stunning contemporary books, cards and curios fusing design technologies with traditional techniques. Cockpit Arts will be recreating Sort’s Studio in Carnaby Street, as a living installation. You can watch the designers at work, buy bespoke prints and even try your hand at letterpress printing for free, daily at 12 and 4pm.
Digital programme
The London Design Festival’s digital content continues to develop, with activity being planned by This Happened – the interactive design movement, New Media Knowledge and the i-Design conference.
International
100% Norway
- Now in its sixth year, 100% Norway 2009 will showcase the best new works of both established and new Norwegian designers, along with some of the country’s leading manufacturers during this year’s Festival.
Poland
· Poland has one of the most vibrant emerging design scenes in Europe. A group of young designers will show new work in the Brompton Design District representing a broad spectrum of creativity from furniture design to fashion. The exhibition will also provide the launch venue for Discovering Women in Polish Design.
Denmark
· Dreams on Wheels presents a view of contemporary urban cycling culture at City Hall with examples of what can be seen and experienced both in London and Copenhagen.
Brazil
· Brazil illustrated, sponsored by the Embassy of Brazil, brings together three artists who each explore the possibilities of illustration.
Portugal
- Portugal Brands will feature at a design event at Tent London
