Design 2021: People, Projects, Studios

Contents:

• A website about photographers, a restaurant, and an electric truck

Art historian and critic, teacher at the School of Design at RANEPA. Deputy editor of the contemporary art magazine Russian Art Focus. Author of the book "Design Today," which covers current trends in contemporary design and art. Specializes in the analysis and criticism of artistic works, as well as their impact on society and culture.

Ishigami pays attention to natural disasters and new epidemics, introducing changes to architectural solutions. In the event of a flood, his designs with hovering roofs can be used as evacuation platforms. Open and semi-open terraces, as well as well-ventilated spaces, ensure the necessary hygiene in the context of the spread of viral infections. These features make architecture more resilient and adaptive to modern challenges.

Junya Ishigami's forecasts indicate that life without epidemics in the future is becoming increasingly unlikely.

Among the new bureaus and studios operating on the market for less than ten years, the Englishwomen Isabel Gibson and Helen Chesner (Isabel + Helen) stand out. These Chelsea College of Art graduates bring a unique sense of motion to their projects. Since 2012, they have been animating a variety of objects, including everyday and wearable items, shop windows, gadgets, logos, and even paint spills. Their works are striking and demonstrate how even the most ordinary objects can gain life and dynamism.

Engineering Experiments Isabel and Helen have attracted the attention of renowned brands. Among those interested in their mechanical designs are Moncler, Bottega Veneta, Dior, Hermes, and Stella McCartney. Sports brands like Adidas and Nike have also appreciated the girls' innovative approach, as movement is vital to them. Isabel and Helen's work has attracted the interest of cultural institutions such as the Tate Modern and the Victoria and Albert Museum. This is unsurprising, as their animated installations and sculptures successfully combine art and design, creating unique visual experiences. It's no coincidence that our studio's work has attracted attention. Over the past three years, kinetic artists have held numerous museum exhibitions, earning them recognition from both the public and the press. Kineticism continues to be at the forefront of contemporary art, and our studio actively participates in this dynamic process.

Alexander Calder's monographic exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the exhibition "Laboratory of the Future: Kinetic Art in Russia," presented at the Tretyakov Gallery in 2021, were significant events in the contemporary art world. These exhibitions demonstrated the significance of kinetic art and its influence on the development of artistic practice. Importantly, such events promote the popularization of art and draw attention to outstanding artists, which in turn increases interest in contemporary artistic movements.

Argentinian designer Ezequiel Pini and his Barcelona-based studio, Six N. Five, won the award for best in the Communication category. The studio's name reflects Ezequiel's real-life experience: for years, he worked on his projects after his day job, starting at 6:05 PM. The studio specializes in creating films, animations, and design objects based on computer-generated visuals. Each project is distinguished by its rich detail and unique color palette. Among the studio's recent notable works are 11 vibrant desktop backgrounds (wallpapers) for the Windows operating system.

The studio presented a three-minute video "Uprising" (The Kevolt), which can be considered an outstanding example of video art. This work unfolds a plot about the rebellion of inanimate objects, revealing the mischievous and evil energies lurking in the material world. Although the theme of the rebellion of objects is not new, in the Argentine artist's interpretation, it sounds like an important warning that should be heeded immediately.

At the beginning of the video, we see an aesthetically pleasing, deserted house in a minimalist style with a swimming pool. However, strange events soon occur: someone slightly opens the closet doors, a bouquet of flowers on a shelf sways, and a plastic chair unexpectedly shifts. Halfway through the video, objects begin to behave unusually: a plastic chair spins, as if dancing, on the table, a ceiling fan spins vigorously, and an army of plungers leaves marks on the walls and ceilings. A dryer, as if possessing a will of its own, bounces across a double bed. Then chaos and destruction begin.

A website about photographers, a restaurant, and an electric truck

The dezeen.com platform presented an extensive competition grid, as a result of which 58 winners were selected. Awards are given to both people and projects, including the best architects, visualizers, industrial designers, as well as the best restaurants, office spaces and wearables. This year, it was interesting that the winner in the wearables category was a silicone breast pump. This choice underscores the emphasis on personal comfort, despite the fact that motherhood is not the central theme. We will present projects that most accurately reflect the ideas with which we approached 2022.

The website talent 2020.foam.org was recognized as the best web resource, developed by the Build in Amsterdam studio for the Amsterdam photography museum FOAM. The museum has always maintained a high standard of corporate identity and established itself as a progressive cultural institution. The website, dedicated to twenty young photographers, stands out for its user-friendliness and attention to their work: simple navigation and the ability to view high-resolution photographs make it particularly appealing. During the pandemic, we've become accustomed to viewing art online, and the website's developers have clearly carefully analyzed user preferences, resulting in a high-quality and functional resource.

The Mo de Movimiento restaurant in Madrid, designed by architect Lucas Muñoz, has been recognized as a leader in sustainable development. This establishment is built almost entirely from recycled materials and waste. Muñoz actively uses found objects on the street to create architecture and furniture, preferring materials left over from previous projects. The restaurant's former location housed a theater and recording studio, allowing it to utilize the old beams and other structural elements to create a unique interior that combines sustainability and creativity. This approach not only minimizes waste but also emphasizes the importance of reusing resources in modern construction.

This project evokes admiration and surprise thanks to its many original solutions and adaptations. It clearly demonstrates the outstanding ingenuity characteristic of people living on the brink of poverty. It's important to note that extreme poverty is a problem not only for the Spanish but also for many other countries, highlighting the need to find effective solutions and support.

The winner in the "Small Interior" category was The Arena Papi café, located on Paris's Rue Richer. This project by Neri & Hu studio inspires many to pursue a career in design thanks to its simplicity, conceptual depth, and expressiveness, which make it akin to a work of art. The café's interior demonstrates a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics, attracting visitors and creating a unique atmosphere.

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A small space on the ground floor of an old Ottoman house It attracts the attention of passersby and gently "invites" them to visit, as if whispering in a quiet voice to introverted Parisians trying to reconnect after months of isolation. From the street, it seems as if the renovations within the 19th-century walls, once home to aesthetically inclined intellectuals, are still underway. This place preserves the atmosphere of time, evoking a rich history and cultural heritage, making it particularly appealing to those who appreciate unique historical interiors and genuine human interactions.

Brick walls and stonework create an atmosphere of comfort and simplicity. The rest of the interior—the counter, chairs, and tables—is minimalist, as if cut out of cardboard. Loud noises and bright colors are absent, allowing the focus to be on the essentials. The clear Parisian walls speak for themselves, creating a unique atmosphere that attracts attention and leaves an unforgettable impression.

Everything in this interior is carefully considered; every element—be it the silhouette of a chair, the texture of the materials, or the coat rack—looks like a masterfully crafted work of art. The minimalist approach to design creates an atmosphere in which every movement and detail become important. This catering space takes on the character of a highly aesthetic work, where mood and style harmoniously combine, emphasizing the uniqueness and elegance of the interior.

Architectural studio Neri&Hu, created by Rosanna Hu and Lyndon Neri, was named the best in 2021 for their project of a café on Rue Richer. This Chinese couple, working in Shanghai, grew up in different countries. Lyndon Neri spent his childhood in the Philippines and then attended private schools in the United States, starting at age 15. Rosanna Hu, born in Taiwan, moved to the United States as a teenager. Both architects received their educations at leading universities and began their careers with renowned architect Michael Graves. Their work is distinguished by unique solutions that harmoniously combine Eastern and Western elements, making their projects appealing and innovative.

Among the winners selected by Dezeen, a unique vehicle stands out: the Volta Zero. This 16-tonne electric truck was the first of its kind in the world and was designed by London-based firm Astheimer. It was created specifically for urban transportation. The project was recognized as demonstrating a commitment to zero carbon emissions. Despite global challenges such as the pandemic, long-term environmental strategies continue to evolve. Sustainable transport remains a key focus, suggesting that reliance on fossil fuels will decrease over time.

There is a clear interest in combining analog and digital. Kinetic mechanics and the DIY principle are becoming especially attractive to the generation that grew up in the digital age. Women continue to hold strong positions in the design field. In the face of current trends and economic challenges, designers will strive for innovation and creativity, which will remain relevant in 2022.

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Be sure to check out additional materials:

• Interview with Maria Savostyanova on design trends
• Elena Gerchuk's column on book design - how the reader becomes a participant in the novel
• Stas Zhitsky's column on whether a logo should correspond to a business