The international design community has a not-to-be-missed appointment from October 16th to 20th in Turkey: Istanbul Design Week 2008 aims to be one of the most important events in the Euro-Asiatic area.
During the previous edition more than 50,000 visitors from all over the world came on the Golden Horn on this important occasion: in 2008 Istanbul Design Week promises to be an even greater success thanks to its new formula.
For the first time Istanbul Design Week will be organized and managed by Design in Turkey, a joint venture between Dream Design Factory (dDf) and DesignPartners bringing together the vibrant energy of Turkish culture and Italian experience.
The joint venture intends to create a format that opens new frontiers, expands, reaches out of the territory, in the wake of "ZonaTortona Design": Istanbul Design Week 2008 will be a local event with an international perspective.
An opportunity for companies to present their products and activities to an international audience, in a contemporary country with a fast growing economy. Istanbul, meeting point of different traditions, will be the European Capital of Culture in 2010.
The 2008 edition will see exhibitions, workshops, conferences and night & day events taking place in the extraordinary setting of the Golden Horn. The art direction of Istanbul Design Week is by the Italian architecture and design studio Cibic & Partners, one of the most important and active of the international design world.
Cibic & Partners' project will emphasize the deep spirit of Turkey in every location involved. The primary point and main exhibition area is the Old Galata Bridge, where the event is held since 2005: it embodies the union between East and West, past and future, tradition and innovation. The bridge will be covered by a tent system evoking the old oriental markets atmosphere, with the merchant activities, full of sounds and perfumes. In front of it a tower structure will mark the entrance to the exhibition area.
The other prestigious venues included in the overall exhibition area of 15,000 sqm are the stunning Basilica Cistern; the Kadir Has University, where workshops and conferences will be held; the Old Hat Factory area, a small 'village' in the open air with a creative atmosphere.
"Istanbul combines historical heritage with a strong industrial and architectonic development," explains Maurizio Ribotti, co-CEO of Design in Turkey with Arhan Kayar. "The city is living a moment of experimentation and creativity, thanks also to it's central position geographically speaking. Many international design companies have understood this and want to be here. We believe that Istanbul will become one of the most innovative design destination in the near future".