MELBOURNE DESIGN WEEK 2022

Jun 2

‘Global Connectivity Through Design’

For Melbourne Design Week 2022, an initiative of the Victorian Government delivered by the National Gallery of Victoria, ORIGINE presented ‘Global Connectivity Through Design’.

A presentation of works by brands and independent designers included in the ORIGINE collection, exploring the idea of forging new human connections through interdisciplinary artistic action.

For the sixth edition of Melbourne Design Week, the expansive 11-day program showcased a lineup of exhibitions, talks, workshops and more across Melbourne city and into parts of regional Victoria.

Held from 17-27 March, the overarching theme of this years event ‘Design the world you want’ asked exhibitors to consider design that can transform aspects of society by benefiting everyone rather than individuals and also highlight ethical and sustainable practices where the value of a design is not only judged through its functional or aesthetic impact, but also on its environmental and social impact on the planet.

For this occassion we were pleased to bring together a curation of culturally relevant works which promote the heritage of their respective territories and studios who practice in sustainability, from material use through to social responsibility and philanthropy.

Brands and studios presented from around the world included: Pretziada, Kooij, Ames and Lombrello.

See more from each brand below.

PRETZIADA

Key to the exhibition was a review of the output by Pretziada, a creative practice based on the island of Sardinia, Italy. Founders Kyre Chenven and Ivano Atzori host anthropological residencies for international creatives, introducing them to the island and local artisans. The result, a collection that is made up of culturally relevant pieces that celebrate the history of Sardinian craft.

Shown above and left are pieces from Pretziada’s accessories, furniture and textile collections, that were complimented by interactive elements including video and sound installations recorded by Australian design outfit P.A.M. during their visit to the island.

Presented under the thematic pillar of civic good for their efforts in assisting local artisans to shape their future trajectory, Pretziada believe that by working in full respect of the local heritage and traditions they can bring change and prosperity to this ancient place without losing an ounce of authenticity.

AMES & LOMBRELLO

Presented in collaboration with Elton Group, our installation for Ames and Lombrello emphasised colour and materiality.

Ames, who create vibrant furniture and lifestyle collections, was born out of a deep love for Colombia. From sourcing the raw materials to making the final products, Ames only work with small manufacturers and family businesses throughout the entire production chain.

Lombrello, based in Milan, create unconventional and psychedelic chairs with a minimal silhouette where different colours, prints, textiles and accessories are the absolute protagonists; allowing each design to be personalised and evolve with the users changing needs and taste.

The new French Palette veneer by Piero Lissoni for Alpi provided the perfect backdrop for pieces from both brands. Widely recognised in the Elton Group portfolio, the Alpi collection also plays a vital and provocative role in the Lombrello seating range.

KOOIJ

Occupying the front window of the gallery was Amsterdam based, Kooij, who answer the brief on making good so very well.

Working exclusively in waste material, Kooij have found new life in unlikely places. Discarded CDs, leather sofas, kitchen appliances, chocolate moulds, and diseased wood all present rich textural and structural fodder.

Working alongside a family of house-developed presses, robots, and extruders patchwork of machines is a studio of highly passionate craftspeople. Carpenters, welders, colourists, and finishers breathe life into the work. It is only through a union of crafts and technology that Kooij are able to carry waste from loss to luxury.

“Each Chubby is printed from 10kg of chipped, recycled fridge interiors.

Or, more poetically, one standard fridge.”

SEE YOU AGAIN FOR MDW 2023

Thank you to everyone who came to visit this year’s exhibition. We enjoyed celebrating design with each of you. Thank you to BlackCat Gallery for hosting us and to Halcyon Lake for being a joy to collaborate with. Also many thanks to Shauna Toohey and Misha Hollenbach of Perks and Mini (P.A.M.) who joined us for an evening in conversation about their collaborative project with Pretziada ‘Bucolic Appointment’.

Shown below is ‘Forest’ by Halcyon Lake