Design junkies will be spoilt for choice next month as the Sydney Design 2011 (SD11) event prepares to take the Powerhouse Museum by storm.
The event, which features over 90 exhibitions and events across the city from July 30 to August 14, is produced by the Powerhouse Museum in partnership with more than 50 cultural institutions, organisations and individuals.
Its aim is to give an insight into design processes, functions and narratives and showcase innovative and bold design solutions, and this year, the event will will also run under the theme “Is Old New Again”, exploring the collision between tradition and innovation, heritage and experimentation.
SD11 and Powerhouse Museum Sydney Design producer Lily Katakouzinos said the event would be a creative learning opportunity for anyone with a personal and professional love of design.
“In all areas of design from product design to architecture, fashion and graphic design, practitioners everywhere are mining tradition and marrying cutting edge technology with an artisanal and human sensibility. You can see it in media, food, popular culture and the arts - but nowhere is this more pronounced than in the world of design,” she said.
Powerhouse Museum director Dr Dawn Casey also said “Love Lace”, an exhibition of contemporary lace works by artists and designers from around the world showcasing breakthroughs in lace design, promises to be the star attraction for SD11.
“I am particularly excited about Love Lace, Sydney Design’s signature exhibition and delighted the Museum can showcase to our visitors the works of so many ingenious international and national artists.”
SD11 will also host the announcement of this year's Design NSW: Travelling Scholarship, with one emerging designer to be awarded the scholarship on launch night, July 29.
The scholarship, which grants the winner $18,000 to further their career by partaking in a program of professional development overseas, is offered each year by the NSW Government, with the support of the Powerhouse Museum and the British Council.
Other highlights for SD11 include:
- Lace symposium – July 30
Over 16 participating artists/practitioners in a one-day symposium including keynote speakers, panel discussion and individual artist talks.
- Lace Master-classes – July 31
A day with international lace practitioners offering insights into cutting edge lace practices.
- Special guest speaker, Valerie Steele – August 3
In partnership with UTS, prominent fashion scholar, Valerie Steele will speak to the Sydney Design theme “is old new again” with particular attention to the relationship between art and fashion.