Form&Seek London Design Fair2017
Form&Seek will be part of Dutch Pavilion at London Design Fair on 21-24 September 2017
Form&Seek exhibitions always show a consideration to new crafts, material and processes.
With this upcoming show Form&Seek explores the theme of "Openness" where we focus on what designers with a vision of across borders and cultures, make and design in order to shift attitudes and cultures for the a more inclusive future. Form&Seek explores the idea of Dutch design, not through a national lens but as an attitude and way of thinking.
For the first time ever Form&Seek launches its own collection during London Design Festival as well as a producing and selling platform, enabling consumers and retailers to purchase original and innovative crafted goods from a curated collection founded and run by designers.
The Form&Seek collection focuses on new developed processes and contemporary, globally local craft techniques. Interesting, innovative materials and processes play a key role in the pieces by Form&Seek. Each item tells a story through the way it has been made or the impact it has on our daily lives.
Our new collection expands on a wide range of crafted products from conventional products prototyped with new technologies to products that play with natural formations and uses of material. Each thought provoking, poetic design object has a strong character and personality with the personal mark of the maker.
AGE OF MAN
Milan Design Fair2017
There is a growing consensus today, that we are living in an age where the earth has been so deeply impacted by humanity, that a new geologic epoch–the Anthropocene–needs to the declared. The Anthropocene, or the ‘Age of Man’ is believed to have begun in the year 1950, and can be visualized as a distinct and heavy footprint on the earth. Furthermore, this footprint has been etched and defined by the prickly residues of our industrialization, technological advancement, and rampant consumer culture.
This realization has triggered a growing awareness in our society, with a focus on the consequences of our actions. And among those who are reflecting on their roles most deeply today, are designers and artists.
Going one step further than reflection and response, they are in fact using this awareness as a springboard for new, progressive design aimed for the future. They are seizing this opportunity to shift attitudes and cultures, to work most efficiently and globally, with open-borders, and to use familiar technology in new and thought-provoking ways.
This supports the belief that designers are well-aligned to play a leading role in shaping our future attitude towards natural resources, production processes and the consumption of goods. And it is this belief, that is at the heart of Form&Seek’s ‘Age of Man’ exhibit, where the talented and diverse collective of designers and artists will present their compelling visions for the future, and design solutions that are best suited for our age.
'In a response to the growing awareness of the consequences of our actions we think that as designers we can play a leading role in shaping our future attitudes towards natural resources, production processes and the consumption of goods.'
From existing works curated and selected for this exhibition, to entirely new design, created exclusively for the ‘Age of Man,' the Form&Seekers’ work explores themes that are both rooted in the past and racing towards the future.
They span from innovation sparked by unexpected materials such as human hair, to sculptural objects that breathe new life into a timeless and inherently sustainable material such as Terrazzo. Several designs share the intent to investigate the relationship between rapidly evolving digital fabrication and craft; while others seek to revive and draw from ancient rituals, and even theories surrounding primitive architecture.
The design objects and works of art in this exhibit expose many, varying perspectives of the 'Age of Man.' Some seek to incite curiosity and inquiry, and embrace future technology; while others deliberately intend to slow us down– to pause and reflect, but also to appreciate and capitalize on what we already have, in terms of cultural and design resources.
Curatorial Team:
Bilge Nur Saltik, Ruben de la Rive Box, Golnar Roshan