February 2010

Well, here we are at the start of a new decade, and if the speedy disappearance of January is an indication of anything, we predict this decade will fly by. 

In case you’re wondering what happened to our January newsletter, so are we. Actually, we cancelled it (thankfully not due to adverse weather conditions*). If truth be told, not much really happens in January and we took an editorial decision not to bore you with a long list of tedious new year sale information.

So, confessions aside, let’s get on with the forthcoming month...

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS:

Prototypes and Experiments IV at The Aram Gallery: Covent Gdn, until 6th March

The Aram Gallery is staging its fourth exhibition in its ongoing series exploring the development process of new designs. The showcase includes sketches and prototypes sourced from about 20 studios, with an emphasis on ideas in metal.

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Designers in Residence at Design Museum: Bermondsey, until 8th March

The annual Designers in Residence programme at the Design Museum has unveiled its showcase of three of this year’s talents - Asif Khan, Bethan Wood, and Farm - who have all created site-specific installations on the museum’s ground floor.

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Kinetica Art Fair 2010 at Ambika P3: Baker Street, 4th-7th February

A family of holographic light beings, sculpting and drawing robots, an orchestral milk float, a giant vertical electronic wave and a special feature exhibition of work from the masters of  kinetic art are just some of the exhibits at Kinetica Art Fair 2010.
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Julia Lohmann and Gero Grundmann at Gallery Libby Sellers:
Hyde Park Corner, 5th February - 4th March

A new exhibition, titled ‘Tidal Ossuary’, continues Julia Lohmann and Gero Grundmann’s investigations into the contradictions inherent in our relationship to animals as sources of food and materials. A new series of vessels have been made from found animal bones collected from the banks of the River Thames. 
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Best of British at Liberty: Soho, Saturday 6th February 10am-3pm

London’s famous shopping emporium, Liberty, is giving designers the opportunity to pitch their products to a panel comprising of the store’s buyers and industry experts. For valuable feedback and a chance to sell your designs in Liberty, register online prior to Saturday’s showdown. 
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Sit Down: Seating for Kids at V&A Museum of Childhood:
Bethnal Green, 6th February - 5th September

Sit Down: Seating for Kids is the V&A Museum of Childhood’s latest big exhibition of design for kids, exploring the vast array of seating used by children in their everyday lives. The exhibition invites visitors to consider what makes a successful seat. Chair designers sit up - children rarely lie.
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Icon Pub Quiz at Ten Bells pub: Spitalfields, Monday 8th February 7pm

If you’re a hot shot when it comes to architecture and design facts, you should attend icon magazine’s first ever pub quiz. The deadline for team registration has just passed but you are still welcome to enjoy the proceedings and join the heckling!
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Most Curious at TN29: Marylebone, 17th February - 30th June

Footwear designer Tracey Neuls, artist Nina Saunders, and British textiles company Sanderson have collaborated on a 3-way project called 'Most Curious', the results of which will be displayed as an installation in Neuls’ shop TN29. This will include a large-scale sculpture from Saunders and a dedicated collection of shoes from Neuls, both employing reissued vintage Sanderson textiles.
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Brit Insurance Designs Of The Year 2010 at Design Museum:
Bermondsey, 17th February - 6th June

The third annual Brit Insurance Design Awards has produced a progressive range of nominees across seven categories: architecture, fashion, furniture, graphics, interactive, product, and transport. The shortlist will be on show at the Design Museum, with the overall winner announced on 16th March.
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Ron Arad: Restless at Barbican Art Gallery: Barbican, 18th February - 16th May 

A major exhibition of Ron Arad - the London-based maverick designer, architect and artist - is opening at Barbican Art Gallery this month. Spanning three decades, the show traces the development of Arad’s designs from his early post-punk approach to his high-tech sculptural objects. Don’t miss our competition ticket giveaway (see below)!
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Barnaby Barford at David Gill Galleries: Vauxhall, 19th February - 20th March

Acclaimed gallerist David Gill is exhibiting nine new works by ceramic artist Barnaby Barford to compliment his ambitious animated film - Damaged Goods. Barford creates kitsch sculptures assembled from mass-market and antique found porcelain figurines, resulting in sinister, sardonic, and invariably humorous comments on contemporary society.
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EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION:

Win a pair of tickets to the Barbican’s ‘Design by Decade’ talks!

LDG has partnered with the Barbican Art Gallery on a competition to win a pair of tickets to each of the the four ‘Design by Decade’ talks, running in conjunction with the forthcoming Ron Arad exhibition. All you have to do is answer a simple question relating to Arad’s career.

The evening talks, taking place on dates between February and April, celebrate the evolution of the architecture, art and design communities in London since the 1970s. Each panel discussion is dedicated to one of the decades Ron Arad has lived and worked in London and include top speakers such as Peter Cook, Charles Jencks, Katharine Hamnett, Peter Saville, Rolf Fehlbaum, Deyan Sudjic and, of course, Ron Arad himself.

To enter the competition, keep an eye on the LDG website. The competition launches on Thursday 4th February, two weeks prior to the first talk on Thursday 18th February, titled 1970s: Recollection and Rebellion.

OTHER STUFF...

Restaurant: Circus, Covent Garden

Covent Garden’s new restaurant, bar, and ‘entertainment experience’ is now open, designed by Tom Dixon and his interiors company, Design Research Studio.
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Restaurant: Viet Hoa Cafe, Shoreditch

The interior of Kingsland Road’s original Vietnamese restaurant, Viet Hoa Cafe, has recently undergone a contemporary revamp by VONSUNG. This month, their basement bar is set to open.
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Valentine’s Day dining suggestions

If you’re struggling to choose a London restaurant for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day, we’re currently finalising our selection of the finest. Keep an eye on LDG website this week for the list.

That’s all for our February newsletter. I’m sure you’ll agree, there are plenty of design activities to keep you busy this month!

Remember, comprehensive reviews of London’s best design shops, galleries, institutions, and bookshops can only be found in our printed publication, LONDON DESIGN GUIDE, along with detailed area maps and restaurant, bar, and hotel suggestions. Order your copy now!

Wishing you all the best until next time,

Max Fraser

Editor

LONDON DESIGN GUIDE


* For those who don't live in the UK, you may not know that our infrastructure crumbled when we endured snowfall at the start of this year. The 'adverse weather conditions' provided an excuse for everyone to cancel, well, most things!