Syndicated from Design China
From 26 September to 3 October 2013, Beijing Design Week (BJDW) returns to the capital with a promising programme cultivated by the new Creative Director, Beatrice Leanza.
“BJDW 2013 proposes an established format of key sections, including: Design Forum; Smart City 2013 – a main exhibition produced and hosted by China Museum of Digital Arts (CMoDA); the annual Design Award devoted to local innovators; the Design Hop series – the largest component of BJDW; the Guest City program; and a new trading platform dubbed Design Market”.
Design Forum
Co-organised by BJDW 2013, CCTV2 and the New York Times, the Design Forum will be held on 28 September at China World Summit.
A panel of worldwide eminent figures from the academic field, media and communications, finance and economics, and the design industry – including Marcel Wanders, Nadja Swarovski, Wang Min and Masayuki Kurokawa – will address the issues of design as a tool under China’s current economic transition and development from ‘efficient city’ to ‘creative city’.
Smart City 2013 International Design Exhibition @ CMoDA
Smart City 2013 is the main exhibition of BJDW 2013, which aims to investigate the true potential of a holistic approach for optimised urban planning, development and management via digital innovation. This will take place at China Museum of Digital Arts (CMoDA).
The official opening for Smart City 2013 International Design Exhibition is set for 26 September. A one day symposium, called ‘The Dao of Being Smart – Pilot Test Learning and Prototyping for Smart City’, will take place on 27 September and involves both international and local speakers representing think tanks, research institutes, university labs, and innovative corporations.
Design Hop
Dashilar, CCD – The Community, and 751 D-Park will return under the Design Hop series once again.
Long-term renovation projects for Dashilar will see contributions from renowned local architects such as Zhang Ke, Matali Crasset, Michael Young, local creative studio Jellymon, Liang Architecture, and URB (the research bureau of URBANUS), while proposals for the improvement of public infrastructure, such as parking zones, urban furniture, public transportation and even public toilets, will be presented in Yangmeizhu Hutong by Luca Nichetto, Archea Associati, URBANUS, CAFA Media Lab, People’s Architecture Studio, and ARUP. Alongside renovation projects, Design Hop: Dashilar will present a wide programme featuring contemporary craft showcases, historical exhibitions, and urban and architectural research from local and international studios.
CCD – The Community continues as a hotbed for experimental and innovation-driven research. This year, the team will present a pavilion designed by eclectic artist Liu Wei (his first formal attempt at architectural design), and a project called Taste of Guizhou, which will explore and develop outstanding examples of traditional embroidery techniques (originating in Guizhou of course), and pairing them with contemporary design. This initiative will include artistic collaborations between Chinese paper-maker artisans and Italian design brand Fornasetti.
Meanwhile, RAWR! 3D Experience Center – a cooperation between RAWR! Innovation Lab, EDEN, Stratasys and Beijing Makerspace – will host the newest 3D experiences developed by Chinese makers.
Over at 751 D-Park; under the theme Digital Infiltration, Digital Architecture Design Association (DADA) will present a series of events including DADA 2013 conference, hosted by Tsinghua University, and a five-part exhibition from internationally-renowned architects such as Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Thom Mayne, and Jesse Reiser, as well as student works and digital installations.
The carriages of the 751 locomotive will host Publication × Architecture, exhibitions and lectures in partnership with Luminous City publications by Tongji University Press. With a selection of drawings and drafts of his past 24 years, an exhibition will launch Atlas of Ma Qingyun (to be published in September) and continues with FCJZ’s Picture Book, an exhibition of Yung Ho Chang’s intellectual trajectory, and Made in Shanghai × A Little Bit of Beijing, the companion volume to Yoshiharu Tsukamoto’s Made in Tokyo.
Among the highlights of Design Hop: 751 D-Park is Swarovski Digital Crystal Beijing, a stunning exhibition exploring the concept of memory in the digital age. Designed by architect Ma Yansong, the exhibition features new works by established and emerging Chinese designers Liu Feng, Shi Jianmin, Naihan Li, and Song Tao, which will join pieces from the landmark London exhibition.
Guest City – Amsterdam
Led by Marcel Wanders, Amsterdam – the 2013 Guest City of BJDW – will be framed under Design Goes Dutch, creating cross-cultural art dialogue by bringing to town several projects that wish to involve both guest city artists and designers, and the local community. The Amsterdam programme will mainly be housed at The Tank @ 751, but some leading Dutch design exhibits will also be on view in the capital’s main locations.
Original words and images by BJDW 2013; edited by Design China. This information was correct at the time of writing, but please be advised that some aspects of the programme may be subject to cancellation or a last minute change of venue. Please check the BJDW 2013 website for updates.
