Together with Qreator by IQOS, we were going to launch a new events category during this year's edition of Romanian Design Week. It is called DESIGN FLAGS, a series of seven exhibitions that document the evolution of design from international cultural perspectives, which would have been hosted by Qreator by IQOS space.
Because, at the moment, the safest thing for all of us is to #stayhome, but also because we thought of sharing with you the content of these exhibitions, we decided to exhibit these international projects online.
Presented with the help of the Spanish Embassy in Bucharest, the Hungarian Institute in Bucharest, the Czech Centre, Designmuseum Danmark, CHART, NextNature and KWY.studio, the seven exhibitions investigate new approaches and concerns in design and present innovative ideas and products that manage to redefine the sphere of which they are part.
The next exhibition we’re presenting is Portugal Normal, curated by Ricardo Gomes alongside Luise Marter, from KWY.studio and organized by AICEP Portugal Global – Trade & Investment Agency, in collaboration with the Embassy of Portugal in Copenhagen.
Portugal Normal is a selection of normal historical objects, continuously produced in various materials, of Portuguese origin or manufacture, in parallel with a careful selection of objects designed by contemporary Portuguese designers, which demonstrate common characteristics and a similar potential: that of being able to become a part of the Portuguese culture and collective memory. The experimental organization of these objects in groups by material, colour, typology or form, aims to create relations of proximity that reveal the unique characteristics of each selected object, presenting relatively undiscovered Portuguese designers, producers and manufacturers to a critical and attentive audience.
Photo credits: Portugal Normal -Exhibition catalogue by KWY.studio, 2019. Photo by Manuel Amaral Netto
The concept of Portugal Normal is based on a certain idea of normality and departs from a survey of useful, functional, accessible and timeless design objects of national industrial production and which, although ubiquitous in Portugal, have little visibility across borders.
Photo credits: Portugal Normal -Exhibition catalogue by KWY.studio, 2019. Photo by Manuel Amaral Netto
This specific way of looking at design originated with Das gewöhnliche Design, an exhibition which took place in Darmstadt, Germany in 1976, and was developed further through the Super Normal exhibitions and publications organized by Jasper Morrison and Naoto Fukasawa since 2006.
Recently the idea of elevating normality to an object of desire has also motivated a number of designers and brands who seek to curate or produce well-designed and well-manufactured objects.
Photo credits: Portugal Normal -Exhibition catalogue by KWY.studio, 2019. Photo by Manuel Amaral Netto
The designers involved in the project are: Álvaro Siza, Adico, Big-Game, Carvalho Araújo, Digitalab, From Industrial Design, Geckeler Michels, Gonçalo Prudêncio, Hugo Dias Coelho, James Irvine, Manuel Amaral Netto, Marco Sousa Santos, Mário Freire, Miguel Vieira Baptista, Miguel Rodrigues, Miguel Flores Soeiro, Nendo, O João e a Maria, Pedro Sottomayor, Rita de Almeida Martins, Studio JAV and The Home Project.
The producers part of this exhibition are: & Blanc; Adico; Albino Vieira, Filhos; Branca-Lisboa; Carvalho, Batista &Cª; Faplana; Ghome; Gradirripas; Iduna; Inpput; Mardouro; Materia | Cork by Amorim; Mishmash; Spalporcelanas; Util and Vicara.
Design Flags is supported by Qreator by IQOS.
Qreator by IQOS - Home of Creativity is one of the most active promoters and facilitators of creativity in the cultural area of Bucharest. Through the events it organizes or hosts, Qreator by IQOS connects the creative communities of Bucharest with all those passionate about creativity, in all its forms. Qreator by IQOS provides a space where they can express themselves and collaborate, but also the technological resources needed to put their ideas and projects into practice. More information on http://www.qreator.ro and http://www.facebook.com/qreator.
The exhibition is presented with the support of KWY.studio.
KWY.studio is a multidisciplinary platform investigating the nature of collaboration within the context of specific projects. Founded in 2009 by architects Ben Allen and Ricardo Gomes in Berlin, and curator and editor James Bae in Los Angeles, KWY’s projects are collaborations between the principals and invited specialists. Recent collaborators include artists, writers, curators, educators, designers and other architects. With few initial preconceptions, each project begins with dialogue and analysis between the collaborators. This process-oriented methodology often leads to diverse thoughts that are otherwise unexpected and unimaginable.
Where to find them:
https://www.facebook.com/wearekwy
https://www.instagram.com/kwy.studio/
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We also recommend you this interview with Luise Marter, the co-curator of the Portugal Normal exhibition.