After drawing 42,000 visitors last year to the Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Asia’s leading international design event looks to break that mark in its third go-around from March 9-12. Featuring hundreds of new designs and never-before-seen products, Design Shanghai will host elite international design houses and Asia’s top designers. Here are the five elements of the festival.
Zotem
Once again, Swarovski has linked up with another world-renowned designer for a Design Shanghai special. Conceived by London-based Norwegian designer Kim Thomé, Zotem (pictured above) is a dynamic installation that plays with scale, movement and light. By displaying a sequence of isolated drawings, it gives off the illusion of motion. Other on-site features include Supernova – a lighting glass kinetic sculpture by Petra Krausova for Lasvit, a modern take on Chinese craftsmanship by renowned Chinese designer Jamy Yang of Yang House and Elle Decoration’s Oriental Aesthetics interactive exhibition.
Design Halls
Over 300 participants will be exhibiting across three halls. The pinnacle of design artistry will be displayed in the Collectible Design Hall. Chaircreative presents the first showing of their ‘Dragon Kre’ chair – a visually dynamic yet comfortable creation available in a limited edition of nine pieces. Tai Ping Carpets will show off pieces from two of their custom collection, including 14 new handmade wool and silk rugs designed in collaborations with Los Angeles-based artist Jeff Leatham.
World-renowned design brands like Cassina, Vitra, Moroso, Seletti and BuzziSpace will take part in the Contemporary Design Hall, showcasing new lines ranging from furniture to flooring with many products available in Asia for the first time. The Classic Design Hall brings Western tradition and craftsmanship to China featuring internationally recognized design brands like Driade, Porada, Riva, George Smith and more.
Ad Forum
With so many creative heavyweights in town, Design Shanghai boasts a series of talks featuring award-winning design entrepreneurs (Layer’s Benjamin Hubert), inventive environmentalists (MakerBay’s Cesar Harada), marketing experts (Anomaly Shanghai’s Eric Lee) and home designer to the stars (Kelly Hoppen, who oversaw David and Victoria Beckham’s home). This year’s theme is ‘The Language of Design,’ and features topics ranging from merging ancient Chinese design traditions with modern aesthetics to the growing collectability of street art.
Awards
Ten of the country’s finest talents will be celebrated in the second AD China Emerging Chinese Designers Awards. Nominated projects ranging from a Sumo chair utilizing cheaper conventional hardwood to a crossshaped coffee table designed to be able to move like carrying a basket will be displayed. The winning designer will be awarded a complimentary exhibitor stand for next year’s Design Shanghai. In addition, the IDEAT Future Award launches this year, celebrating the best international designs with awards across nine categories.
The evolution of Furniture design
Xintiandi will host two cutting edge design installations at Hubindao prior to the festival, charting the evolution of the design industry from manufacturing techniques to materials and trends. A large glass sculpture will be displayed in the courtyard while 3D printers showcase the future of design.
Mar 9-12, 10am-6pm, (10am- 9pm on Mar 9), RMB100-200 (RMB300-600 for four day pass). Shanghai Exhibition Centre, tickets. See event listing.
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