by Dani Alcantara
NYCxDESIGN New York City’s official citywide celebration of design completed its 4th edition featuring over 500 events across the 5 Boroughs of New York. Visitors could appreciate all the spectrums of design, such as graphic, product, interiors, fashion, technology, design thinking and more. Events like this one are always inspirational and promote valuable cultural and commercial opportunities.
Among the events that I attended to is the WantedDesign, which is “a platform dedicated to promoting design and fostering the international creative community at large throughout the year.” Its main events happen during the NYCxDESIGN in Manhattan and Brooklyn. It provides a fresh feeling with new ideas, concepts and products that are unique and you probably haven’t seen anywhere else. Here are some of them:
Another great and consolidated platform that promoted global design is ICFF, International Contemporary Furniture Fair, which is on its 30th edition. It takes place at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, therefore you could imagine how extensively amazing that is. However this fair is for traders only and features more commercial products. It’s a great opportunity to take a pick on the latest trends and colors.
Since I tried to get a taste of the design applied in different scenarios, I have also visited some art galleries. Colony Art Gallery showcased a co-operative exhibit, titled Lightness: The Full Spectrum, with new works by 15 designers in New York.
“The installation represents each designer’s meditation on the meaning of “light” from both a philosophical and aesthetic perspective, with a focus on how the recent tumultuous political phase for the United States – marked by the election and inauguration of Donald Trump – has influenced design”.
Espasso Art Gallery, which specializes in modern and contemporary Brazilian furniture, kicked off the NY Design Week with a special exhibit celebrating the 60th anniversary of a Brazilian design icon – “Mole” Armchair (meaning “soft” in Portuguese). It was designed in 1961 and it’s Sergio Rodrigues’ most iconic piece.
“Robust and extremely comfortable, the “Mole” sparked an international design trend that favored comfort, and a new attention to scale. It was awarded first prize at the IV Furniture Bienal in Italy. This chair invites relaxation and coziness, offering a comfort reminiscent of a hammock. The chair is comprised of a solid rounded wood frame, adjustable leather support straps and a floppy, over-sized luxurious leather cushion”.
