Belgrade Design Week 2014 – Press Overview by Designboom, IT
By Anita Hackethal, 05.10.2014.
Belgrade Design Week 2014 conferences open up a “Brand New World”
Since 2005, Belgrade Design Week has successfully forged intercultural and business connections between Serbia and the South East European (SEE) region, the greater global design scene, and the city of Belgrade. The initiative aims to serve as a platform and meeting point for creatives to engage in the exchange of ideas across a range of disciplines: advertising, architecture, arts management, communications, design, fashion, marketing, new media, publishing… the annual event brings forth an international conference delivered by approximately 30 international speakers who share their perspectives and personal developments in their respective fields. The 2014 conference program ‘Brand New World’ opened up discussion regarding the creation of new values in today’s fast changing world.
Some snapshots from the 2014 Belgrade Design Week conferences
The three day ‘Brand New World’ conference saw the focus of a different theme on each day:
- the best in global and Serbian architecture (October 9th)
- the best in global and Serbian design (October 10th)
- the best in global and Serbian communication (October 11th).
Nicolas le Moigne presents recent projects of ECAL in collaboration with Baccarat
Keynote speakers on Thursday, October 9th, 2014: Architecture Day
Clockwise from top left: Massimiliano Fuksas Studio, Italy; Kim Herforth Nielsen / 3XN, Denmark; Studio Drift, Netherlands; Ido Garini / Studio Appétite, Netherlands; Bleed, Norway; Zuzanna Skalska, Netherlands.
Keynote speakers on Friday October 10th: Design Day
Clockwise from top left: Tom Strala, Switzerland; Lang / Baumann, Switzerland; Nicolas le Moigne, Switzerland; BBH / Bartle Bogle Hegarty, UK; Jonas Wagell, Sweden; Christian Kerez, Switzerland
Keynote speakers on Saturday October 11th: Communication Day
Clockwise from top left: Omar Sosa, Spain, Igor Kordej, Croatia, Michel Rojkind, Mexico, Guido Woska / Designit, Germany, Nicholai Wiig Hansen, Denmark, Idis Turato, Croatia
Serbian Innovation Session moderated by Birgit Lohmann, CEO + Editor-in-Chief, Designboom (far right)
For the first time, BDW presented the ‘Serbian Innovation Session’ bringing together Serbian innovators from various fields of profession to engage in a discourse about their practice and work exprience. Designboom co-CEO and Editor-in-Chief Birgit Lohmann was invited as an ‘Agent Provocateur’ to moderate the discussion, raise questions and provoke thought about creativity in the region.
Swiss based architect Christian Kerez has won this year’s Belgrade Design Week Grand-prix
The BDW conference at the old Staklopan factory
As part of the Belgrade Design Week initiative, each year the organization finds a neglected piece of architecture within the Serbian capital, rejuvenating it to serve as the main site of the conference and festival. After renovating the empty Palace of Federation, the bombed out Hotel Jugoslavija, the abandoned Kluz department store, the shut down Museum of Contemporary Art, along with numerous other locations in past years, BDW 2014 presents another polished gem of Serbian industrial architectural heritage – the old STAKLOPAN factory in Strahinjića Bana Street 7 – 9 in Dorćol, injecting new life into it as a creative hub from October 6th to 12h, 2014.
‘Phantasms on Wheels’ installation by Serbian artist Nikola Kolja Bozovic
‘Out of the Box’ – design made in Israel exhibition
‘Saddled’ by Israel designer Eilon Armon (left) and ‘Comfort #8’ inflatable wall installation by Swiss architect Duo Lang/Baumann (right)
In addition to the conferences, BDW 2014 offered various workshops and exhibitions including: BDW DIZAJNPARK, showcasing the latest design works of from over ten countries; international PKS DIZAJNLABSTM workshops (October 7th and 8th) that provided free educational sessions for creative professionals and training for business people in Serbia; along with the edition of BDW’s 100%FUTURE SERBIA project which presents the work of 100 Serbian designers, displayed in 100 shop windows throughout the city center.
The wafer-thin wash basins by Konstantin Grcic use LAUFEN’s Saphirkeramik™
Swiss bathroom manufacturer LAUFEN took their Saphirkeramik™ installation to Belgrade, presenting the concepts of Konstantin Grcic and Toan Nguyen — first featured by Designboom during its exhibition at the 2014 Salone del Mobile. Alongside the presentation, at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Marc Viardot, director of marketing and products at LAUFEN, delivered a design business masterclass for entrepreneurs and designers. The in-depth talks enlightened delegates with his passion for designing, developing and communicating products, building brands and leading people through the creative process.
Designboom is an international media partner of the 2014 Belgrade Design Week.
Belgrade Design Week founder and curator Jovan Jelovac and his wife Vesna Jelovac.
BDW 2014 conference program
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