14th August 2024
August news: Zetteler’s London Design festival hotlist
Urban-cooling architecture, the beauty of the birdhouse, a mega mosaic for London Bridge, and must-see events, featuring Andu Masebo, Parti, Giles Tettey Nartey, POoR Collective and more…
Image credit: Computer Room.
Dwellings
Buildings for birds at South London Gallery
Buildings for birds at South London Gallery
Before LDF kicks off in earnest, make sure to visit Dwellings at South London Gallery in Peckham, a new group show from Computer Room, supported by Flock Together, that unpacks ‘what it means to build a house for a bird.’
From the ingenious ways birds nest on street lights and among skyscrapers, to efforts at rewilding predators, or the notion of nest as a space of comfort and defence, the 22 pieces in the exhibition explore our relationships with nature and sanctuary in unexpected ways.
But the turnaround is tight, so get down there for 31 August and 1 September to experience the stellar line-up of artists and designers, including the unflappable Charlie Humble-Thomas, Moe Asari, Jesse Butterfield, Andu Masebo, Issi Nanabeyin and Gray Wielebinski.
Flock to Peckham
From the ingenious ways birds nest on street lights and among skyscrapers, to efforts at rewilding predators, or the notion of nest as a space of comfort and defence, the 22 pieces in the exhibition explore our relationships with nature and sanctuary in unexpected ways.
But the turnaround is tight, so get down there for 31 August and 1 September to experience the stellar line-up of artists and designers, including the unflappable Charlie Humble-Thomas, Moe Asari, Jesse Butterfield, Andu Masebo, Issi Nanabeyin and Gray Wielebinski.
Flock to Peckham
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Render courtesy of Stefan Diez; photography of planting by Ingmar Kurth.
Vert
AHEC, Stefan Diez and OMCºC unveil biodiversity-enhancing urban-cooling system at LDF
AHEC, Stefan Diez and OMCºC unveil biodiversity-enhancing urban-cooling system at LDF
A joint project between leading designer Stefan Diez, climate-design specialists OMCºC and AHEC, Vert is a modular, sustainably built system of red oak frames and fabric nets that creates sheltered public spaces while fostering a living ecosystem that enriches local biodiversity and cools the city’s air.
The structure’s triangular shape makes it robust and efficient, resisting wind from all angles and allowing the frame to host around 20 different species of climbing plants. Playfully described as a ‘Greening Machine’ by Diez, Vert is constructed from an engineered hardwood, red oak glue-laminated timber (glulam), and testifies to the technical potential of timber in contemporary urban architecture.
See Vert at the Parade Ground at Chelsea College of Art on 14–22 September.
Up with greenery!
The structure’s triangular shape makes it robust and efficient, resisting wind from all angles and allowing the frame to host around 20 different species of climbing plants. Playfully described as a ‘Greening Machine’ by Diez, Vert is constructed from an engineered hardwood, red oak glue-laminated timber (glulam), and testifies to the technical potential of timber in contemporary urban architecture.
See Vert at the Parade Ground at Chelsea College of Art on 14–22 September.
Up with greenery!
Photoshoot demonstrates the performance-like nature of making fufu; by Christian Cassiel and Cas Jones. Communion originally commissioned by AHEC.
Giles Tettey Nartey
Communion table celebrates everyday ritual at the V&A
Communion table celebrates everyday ritual at the V&A
Communion
14 September – 13 October 2024
Something between a performance-art piece and a table, Communion is British-Ghanaian designer Giles Tettey Nartey’s tribute to the making of fufu, a West African staple food made by pounding cassava into a dough.
Nartey’s piece made its debut at Milan Design Week in April, and now Londoners have the chance to experience Communion inside the V&A’s extraordinary Daylit Gallery. Building upon Nartey’s research and appreciation for ‘the beauty I have always seen in everyday Ghanaian life’, Communion is made with maple wood and celebrates communal cooking and dining.
Originally commissioned by AHEC, you will find Communion at the V&A’s Daylit Gallery from 14 September to 13 October.
Take Communion
14 September – 13 October 2024
Something between a performance-art piece and a table, Communion is British-Ghanaian designer Giles Tettey Nartey’s tribute to the making of fufu, a West African staple food made by pounding cassava into a dough.
Nartey’s piece made its debut at Milan Design Week in April, and now Londoners have the chance to experience Communion inside the V&A’s extraordinary Daylit Gallery. Building upon Nartey’s research and appreciation for ‘the beauty I have always seen in everyday Ghanaian life’, Communion is made with maple wood and celebrates communal cooking and dining.
Originally commissioned by AHEC, you will find Communion at the V&A’s Daylit Gallery from 14 September to 13 October.
Take Communion
Behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Pirouette tables by Parti, commissioned by AHEC. Photo by Petr Krejci.
Parti
Pirouette turns timber into fabric-like furniture forms
at Material Matters
Pirouette turns timber into fabric-like furniture forms
at Material Matters
Inspired by the fluid movement of fabric and the childlike joy in spinning around, Parti’s Pirouette timber furniture collection – commissioned by AHEC – explores complex geometric forms.
A collaboration with Jan Hendzel Studio, Pirouette embodies Parti’s desire to ‘push the limits of new technology to create a feasibly manufactured product’. Sculptural in expression, the collection is made from maple and required the sophisticated use of a three-axis CNC machine to translate the folds and creases of billowing fabric into solid timber forms.
Having debuted at Milan Design Week, Pirouette will be exhibited on the first floor at Material Matters, in the OXO Tower on 18–21 September.
Register here.
A collaboration with Jan Hendzel Studio, Pirouette embodies Parti’s desire to ‘push the limits of new technology to create a feasibly manufactured product’. Sculptural in expression, the collection is made from maple and required the sophisticated use of a three-axis CNC machine to translate the folds and creases of billowing fabric into solid timber forms.
Having debuted at Milan Design Week, Pirouette will be exhibited on the first floor at Material Matters, in the OXO Tower on 18–21 September.
Register here.
Photo courtesy of Andu Masebo.
Andu Masebo
Bedrooms for birds in South London Gallery, places for people in Brompton Design District
Bedrooms for birds in South London Gallery, places for people in Brompton Design District
‘Making Room’ at Brompton Design District looks like being a part of LDF that people will talk about long after the festival wraps up for 2024. Curated by Andu Masebo and Mikey Krzyzanowski, the project creates a space for people to come together, share knowledge and learn through physical making. Running every day from 11am to 7pm on 18–21 September, the series of practical workshops and discursive events will facilitate collaborative experiences and new ways of thinking.
Make room for Masebo
Make room for Masebo
Together We Rise’ is a series of over 100 flags, suspended from the ceiling in Turbine Halls A and B in Battersea Power Station. Photo courtesy Battersea Power Station.
POoR Collective
Community installation in Battersea + POWERSHIFT returns to Brompton
Community installation in Battersea + POWERSHIFT returns to Brompton
Power Out of Restriction (aka POoR Collective) has partnered with Battersea Power Station to create a community-inspired installation for the exciting new riverside neighbourhood. The project has seen a series of workshops for Wandsworth-based schoolchildren and youth groups, leading to the creation of ‘Together We Rise’ – an inspirational piece of public art to be displayed in the Grade II*-listed building’s turbine halls until 13 October.
POoR is also bringing back its hit exhibition POWERSHIFT to Brompton Design District, celebrating collective power and collaboration. Among the many exciting artists featured will be the brilliant ceramicist Bisila Noha.
More about POoR
POoR is also bringing back its hit exhibition POWERSHIFT to Brompton Design District, celebrating collective power and collaboration. Among the many exciting artists featured will be the brilliant ceramicist Bisila Noha.
More about POoR
Before and after photos courtesy of Furnishing Futures.
Furnishing Futures
Behind-the-scenes tours of the William Morris Design Line
Behind-the-scenes tours of the William Morris Design Line
Furnishing Futures is going from strength to strength. The last time we spoke about this inspiring design initiative to help women and children fleeing domestic abuse, it received a huge wave of support. Now, Furnishing Futures’ Open House will offer tours of its warehouses and studio, giving the public a chance to go behind the scenes and see its work up close and personal at the William Morris Design Line open weekend on 20 and 21 September.
Drop in
Drop in
Photo by Stephen Chung.
The Line
Dancing on the water with Rasheed Araeen
Dancing on the water with Rasheed Araeen
If you missed The Line’s UK debut of Rasheed Araeen’s joyful Discosailing: A Ballet on Water last month, here’s your second chance to catch one of the most exciting – and unusual – examples of public art in 2024. The anti-sport homage to shared physical activity returns to the Waterworks River in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Friday 27 September, and will see eager participants donning special winged suits and taking to the water in an extraordinary water-borne performance.
Whether you want to board the floating discs yourself, or simply watch others try their luck, make sure to sign up now – all free.
Your disco needs you.
Whether you want to board the floating discs yourself, or simply watch others try their luck, make sure to sign up now – all free.
Your disco needs you.
Image courtesy of Silo Collection.
Studio Omelette
Zero-waste ceramic exhibition + panel on beauty of reuse
Zero-waste ceramic exhibition + panel on beauty of reuse
Showing on 15–17 September, Studio Omelette’s pottery exhibitionReclaimed: The Silo Collection is a ceramics exhibition with a difference. Featuring works by 22 London potters, the experimental show celebrates the beauty of waste through the use of an innovative glaze made from used wine bottles from acclaimed zero-waste restaurant Silo.
As part of the event, Silo's founder Douglas McMaster hosts a panel on finding utility in waste featuring Notpla founders Rodrigo García González and Pierre-Yves Paslier, alongside Haeckels founder Dom Bridges, sustainable architecture leaders Nina Woodcroft and Ana Rita Martins.
Go potty
As part of the event, Silo's founder Douglas McMaster hosts a panel on finding utility in waste featuring Notpla founders Rodrigo García González and Pierre-Yves Paslier, alongside Haeckels founder Dom Bridges, sustainable architecture leaders Nina Woodcroft and Ana Rita Martins.
Go potty
Photo courtesy of HairCycle.
HairCycle
Grow your own rope at Material Matters
Grow your own rope at Material Matters
Since February 2024, the HairCycle team has been collecting hair from local salons and barbershops in Newham to transform it into local, bio-based materials. Hundreds of kilograms of hair is wasted every month, choking drains, filling landfill sites, and releasing harmful greenhouse gases. HairCycle’s circular model transforms hair into fertilisers for local parks and high-quality interior design, fashion and architecture objects.
During LDF on 18-21 September, the interactive exhibition ‘Locally Grown’ at Materials Matter will give visitors a chance to explore the possibility of transforming their own hair into a design material. From the mind of Studio Sanne Visser, the installation offers a chance to experience the complete journey from fibre to product through live hair cuts, spinning, rope-making demonstrations, and a display of design objects.
Click hair
During LDF on 18-21 September, the interactive exhibition ‘Locally Grown’ at Materials Matter will give visitors a chance to explore the possibility of transforming their own hair into a design material. From the mind of Studio Sanne Visser, the installation offers a chance to experience the complete journey from fibre to product through live hair cuts, spinning, rope-making demonstrations, and a display of design objects.
Click hair
Photo by Gareth Gardener.
Adam Nathaniel Furman
Unveiling a 57-metre mosaic mural at London Bridge
Unveiling a 57-metre mosaic mural at London Bridge
An estimated 21 million people pass by London Bridge Station every year. Now, their journey will be uplifted by the recently unveiled 57-metre mosaic mural – a colourful and dynamic celebration of the diversity that defines London. The mural’s title – In a River a Thousand Streams – references the Thames and the multitude of converging lives and flows of people entering the city.
Created by Adam Nathaniel Furman and the London School of Mosaic, fabricated by mosaic experts, local people and numerous volunteers, the major new public artwork is made from 250,000 tesserae and expected to last over 150 years.
On the tiles
Created by Adam Nathaniel Furman and the London School of Mosaic, fabricated by mosaic experts, local people and numerous volunteers, the major new public artwork is made from 250,000 tesserae and expected to last over 150 years.
On the tiles
+44 (0)7791 568890
Unit 73B Regent Studios
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