Tan Yi Hui, Straits Times 21 Nov 07
BIGGER and greener - that's what the organisers of the second Design Festival promise this year.
Ecological concerns underline the biennial event which will take place from Nov 28 to Dec 8. It covers 140 events spanning a broad range of disciplines from industrial design to architecture to visual graphics.
A highlight is Utterubbish: A Collection Of Useless Ideas, which will explore ideas of recycling and sustainability through design.
Comprising an exhibition, a conference and parties, it showcases a collection of works by international names such as Belgian fashion house Maison Martin Margiela, American Web designer Jonathan Harris and Spanish designer Marti Guixe, all centred on the idea that 'less is more'.
'It's an exciting period for Singapore because we are still a blank canvas, so we can create anything we want,' said Mr Jackson Tan of Black Design, curator of Utterubbish, at a press conference held yesterday at the Arts House.
Another name to look out for is famed Dutchman Marcel Wanders, who designed the Knotted Chair and Boutique Sofa. He will be here to launch Dutch design label Moooi, of which he is part-owner and director.
The first festival - organised by DesignSingapore Council, which is part of the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts - was launched two years ago.
It had about 100 events and brought together big names like Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and British streetwear guru Hardy Blechman.
Dr Milton Tan, director of DesignSingapore Council said: 'We're very tempted to do this every year, I must admit. But we resisted it because it takes at least a year to prepare.'
He wants the festival to celebrate the process and interactivity of design, rather than just to exhibit end-product works.
'We do not want it to be a glorified shopping experience,' he added.
To find out more, visit www.singaporedesignfestival.com
