Design Miami/ 2008
September 15, 2008 | Levent OZLER
Design Miami/ is the pre-eminent international fair for limited-edition design. It will be celebrating its fourth year with a thrilling architectural commission by Aranda/Lasch.
Underlining the show's identity as a nexus for art, architecture and design, a temporary structure is being created as the fair's main location to house exhibiting galleries. Aranda/Lasch, a multi-award-winning young architecture and design practice from New York, has been commissioned to design the 4,000 m2 temporary structure.
The commission is a reflection of the passionate commitment to exceptional design and willingness to take risks that is a hallmark of the fair. Introduced to Aranda/Lasch through New York-based Johnson Trading Gallery, Design Miami/ Director Ambra Medda was moved to hire the designers for the sophisticated investigation into structure in their work, which explores the infinite variations of form possible through algorithmic systems.
"Aranda/Lasch is the perfect choice for helping us reinvent our approach to exhibiting architecture and design by redefining the brand through our venue," Medda explains. "We have previously always used magnificent historic buildings with a lot of charm to stage both Design Miami/ and Design Miami/ Basel. Now we are ready to project the vision of the show with a sense of confidence toward the future. Exhibiting the best of historic and contemporary design in such an innovative space will heighten the visitor's understanding of the continuing evolution of design."
Craig Robins, the Fair's Principal adds; "It's by far the most unique structure we've been involved with. We wanted to celebrate and show the possibilities with a temporary structure, pushing the envelope with what can be done with a tent."
The structure's modular system, using commonly available materials in an innovative way, can easily be packed, stored and re-assembled, allowing use in other locations in alternative configurations, significantly expanding exhibition opportunities for future Design Miami/ fairs.
A further highlight of this year's fair will be an exuberant curatorial program exploring the theme of the Natural World. Besides a major installation from the Designer of the Year, the theme will run through an exhibition, "Beyond Organic: Design in the State of Nature", curated by Design Miami/.
As always, in addition to the exhibiting galleries, Design Miami/ will feature curated satellite exhibitions, design talks and design performances.
In response to the fair's growing stature as the pre-eminent international event of its kind, and in recognition of its huge success with collectors, gallerists and critics alike, Design Miami/ will also be extended by one day, to run from December 3-6, 2008 with the Vernissage taking place on December 2.
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