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Design03 mins. read
Events that STIRred 2019
by STIRworldDec 21, 2019
From discussing contrarian thoughts on design with revolutionary graphic designer David Carson to digging into architecture-inspired artworks of artist Martand Khosla and nostalgia-imbued practice of architects Lyndon Neri and Rosanna Hu, 2019 was all about powerful conversations that inspired, challenged and led the way for change.
1. BV DOSHI: on the idea of existence, home and ‘sustainability from within’
The Indian visionary architect features in a short film by PLANE-SITE produced in the run-up to the opening of the Time Space Existence biennial to be held in Venice next year.
In the film, Doshi reflects on the notion of existence and the concept of ‘home’ existing at many scales. He talks about what connected him with his two great teachers, Le Corbusier and Louis I Kahn, on a deeper level, and answers why sustainability is detached from people today.
Read the full article here.
2. CRISTIANO CECCATO (ZHA): on the experiential transience of contemporary airports
“An airport is like a microcosm of a particular city,” said Ceccato, who spearheads international airport projects such as the recently completed Daxing Airport in Beijing, the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport in India's financial capital Mumbai, as well as the recently announced Western Sydney International Airport.
In conversation with Amit Gupta (founder, curator, content director | STIR) and Mrinalini Ghadiok (editor | STIR) at the Hyderabad Design Week, he delved into the nuances that make contemporary airports experiential entities that double as catalysts in driving global urbanisation.
Read the full article here.
3. DAVID CARSON: on the spirit of being anti-grid
Sit with the American graphic designer for a chat, and when you do, chances are that it would largely be filled with chuckles and free-wheeling laughter, a lot of ‘I don’t knows’ and ‘maybes’ sweetly dissolved in a sea of ‘why-nots’.
STIR caught up with him during the Kyoorius Designyatra 2019 to know his views on what he thinks make the ‘box’ when someone brings the run-down-the-mill phrase, ‘think outside the box’ to him, and what mantra he applies when in reality a box (or a roadblock) is thrown his way.
Carson (64) who features in the series Conversations on the Contrary, is undefined by rules, pre-defined grids and static systems. Emotional, subjective and a little too abstract, he advises young designers to listen to their own uniqueness and not let computers make too many decisions for them.
Read the full article here.
4. DINA AMIN: on being the generalist who tinkers with trash to tell unique stories
From popping open the head of her doll to undressing the miniature systems of a useless camera, a reeled-out cassette and a non-functioning table clock, dina Amin picks each part of these machine worlds and turns these into quirky characters in her ‘Tinker Friday’ video series. These half-material characters are weird as wacky, with interesting voices and acts such as trying to stick back parts of life with snot-glue – of course, with little success.
Amin, featured in the series Conversations on the Contrary, believes that if we embrace where we come from in the work we do, and understand the fact that we live in an immensely connected world, then the boundaries or creative roadblocks are nothing but figments of our own imagination.
Read the full article here.
5. JANET ECHELMAN, AMANDA SZABO & LINUS LOPEZ: on light and art
During the PLDC 2019, an engaging interaction between an artist and sculptor who defies classification, Janet Echelman, from the United States of America, and Amanda Szabo, an emerging light artist from Hungary, delved into light and its connections with various facets of our daily lives.
Part of a STIR exclusive series, Spread the Light, the conversation describes their personal journeys, the various innovations and challenges as well as heart-warming stories about the process of collaborative design.
Read the full article here.
6. LYNDON NERI & ROSSANA HU: on their obsession with the notion of nostalgia
Architects are increasingly flirting with history. Ruins have become as essential as utopia used to be. People respond well to materials that show their wear and beautiful patina. Yet, nostalgia is rarely talked about head on.
The partners and co-founders of Shanghai-based studio Neri&Hu, in an interview with Vladimir Belogolovsky, offer a glimpse into their firm's vision, explaining their approach to adopt the concept of ‘reflective nostalgia’.
Read the full article here.
7. MARTAND KHOSLA & PETER NAGY: on scaling the city with art
“Authoring a building is always bound by constraints, while my artwork is liberating,” says artist Martand Khosla whose exhibition 1:2500 (One is to twenty-five hundred), hosted at the Gallery Nature Morte in August 2019, referenced his own architectural practice.
“The title references the play of the micro and macro, where a work could be seen as a model of a building or image of DNA at the same time,” explains Peter Nagy, director at gallery Nature Morte.
In an exclusive video walk-through with the artist and the gallerist to explore the intangible nuances of the tangible works.
Read the full article here.
8. PAOLA NAVONE & IRAM SULTAN:on disruptive design
Italian designer Paola Navone is one of the few designers who still has a love affair with plastics. 2019 marked the 10th anniversary of one of her most celebrated projects, Low Lita – a distinct chair in a melange of black of white. During the Milan Design Week 2019, Navone was joined by New Delhi-based interior designer Iram Sultan who specialises in giving modern twist to traditional designs.
Featured in a STIR exclusive series titled Cross Border Conversations, the two, for whom design is all about storytelling, curated with love and told with passion, slip into a discussion on art – another shared interest.
Read the full article here.
9. SABYASACHI MUKHERJEE & AMIT SYNGLE (Asian Paints): on creating old-world charm through collaborations
India’s favourite bridal designer and Amit Syngle, COO Asian Paints, have collaborated for chapter 2 of Nilaya: India Revival Project. STIR caught up with the two to pick their brains about this ode to India’s culture, architecture and natural beauty, and what it takes to strike a successful creative partnership.
Read the full article here.
10. TIM KOBE (eight inc.): on retail spaces that intersect with human touch
Often referred as ‘Apple’s best kept secret’, Kobe - the founder and CEO of the Singapore-based strategic and experience design firm, Eight Inc. - believes that successful retail design is about connecting with the emotions and interactions of people and in creating experiences that align with the brand values.
In a conversation with STIR during the Hyderabad Design Week, he digs deep into the nuances that create meaningful human experiences in the retail space.
Read the full article here.
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