Design congress draws creative interior concepts

By Wu Ziru

String Stools by Liu Xiaoxuan.

Xin: Icograda World Design Congress 2009 began Saturday in Beijing, attracting designers from across the globe with conferences, workshops, exhibitions and tours. The week-long bi-annual event is showcasing a variety of disciplines including industrial design, interior decoration and book covers, bringing international first-class creative ideas to the city.

Among the congress' 25 exhibitions, mainly held at the National Center for the Performing Arts, National Art Museum of China, Central Academy of Fine Arts and the World Art Museum, one Museum of the highlights is the interior design exhibition at the World Art Museum.

Titled 12 Time Spaces: A Concept Exhibition on Chinese Living Style, the exhibition showcases various new interior design concepts by outstanding Chinese and overseas designers, presenting a vision that design elements are present in every aspect of daily life.

A series of designs for sitting is one of the most important components of the exhibition, with various unique creative ideas considered. Chinese designer Qi Jin's piece, an egg-shaped stool made of stone, is not only a place to rest, but also an intricate floor lamp.

The beautiful decorative work around the stool is composed of many small bulbs that illuminate in the evening.

Egg-shaped stool by Qi Jin.

"The shape of the stool makes people feel comfortable and relaxed, as an egg is always related to the origin of life, where creatures sleep deeply," explained the designer.

Among a wide range of utility designs, there are also many concept pieces. Three pieces from famous designer Wang Kaifang's Right of Speech series are on display, among which the Problem of Food and Cloth, is attracting attention.

Using more than 6,000 spoons collected from across the country, the designer created a huge glittering tongue. The spoons came from kindergartens, middle schools, homes for the aged and even prisons, in order to express his feelings on free speech.

"Not all of us are endowed with the right of speech to the same extent," Wang explained. "It is always related to money and your identity."

String Tools, a piece by designer Liu Xiaoxuan, is another highlight of the exhibition. Liu has created a string of colorful stools, big and small and all made of rattan, that link together. The material is comfortable to sit on and the attractive, fun appearance of the stools allow people to create their own pattern, especially suitable for courtyards, explained the designer.

Wu Tong's work Chairs includes three red seats designed from a fluid perspective.

"Think about setting the three chairs on your balcony and sitting on them in the afternoon, chatting with your best friends," Wu commented. "What a beautiful day!"
 

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