12 March 2019

Design products with focus on nature and water at upcoming exhibitions at Designforum Vienna and Salone del Mobile during Milan Design Week

From 20 March until 28 April, Designforum Wien will exhibit in collaboration with the Hungarian Design Council selected products, projects, and design strategies from furniture over backpacks to shoes which won during the last five years at the Hungarian Design Awards. Part of the show 'Innovation by Design. Hungarian Design-Highlights' are designs of footwear made of upcycled waste under the title 'Layers'. The footwear concept is to produce wearable, manufacturable products with the appeal of art-sculpture-shoes with reminiscences to unique pieces of haute couture. The jury pointed out that the nature preserving and inspired product - from the upcycled material to the appeal "as if we were looking at natural formations, minerals or topographic elements" convinced the decision to hand out an award to 'Layers'.

fig.: Sandals from the 'Layers' footwear collection; won Hungarian Design Award 2018 in the 'Student' category one of the special prizes of the State Secretariat for Education Of The Ministry Of Human Capacities. Designer: Gabriella Veszprémi; Manufacturer: Cango&Rinaldi. Photo: Dávid Ajkai.

The nature inspired 'Laundrylight Karin Binder by Bakalowits' is one of the latest designs by Karin Binder, founder and designer of Vienna-based label 'ka.ma interior design'. The forest leaves-like glass elements can be reassembled for an individual play with light. The name 'Laundrylight' refers not only the fresh appeal of the lamp. It's a symbol for cleaning up the past and the color-shade composer's impact on the brilliance of the future. 'Laundrylight' is one of the products by Karin Binder selected by Aussenwirtschaft Austria for the Austrian design exhibition from 9 to 14 April at Salone del Mobile during Milan Design Week (details).

fig.: 'Laundrylight Karin Binder by Bakalowits' with green glass in the front and clothespin accessory. © Karin Binder by Bakalowits. Design by Karin Binder, B.A. Production: Bakalowits Licht Design Gmbh; bakalowits.com.

Designers (furniture, jewelry) from South Tyrol will also team up and present together at Salone del Mobile where this year the special exhibition 'Aqua. Leonardo's Vision' references the innovative work of artist, scientist Leonardo da Vinci (died 500 years ago in 1519). It's announced that 'Sky Spa' by Hotel Therme Meran with focus on the power of water on body and mind is part of the South Tyrol team in Milan.

fig.: Outdoor sauna of Therme Meran. Photo ©IDM Südtirol / Therme Meran / Helmut Riehr.

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