Milan Review 2008

Repeatedly I have been asked to report about my first visit of the Milan Fair in April of this year.
So, quite cheeky, but I opted to direct the attention of this topic to the review Ben, our course director have written.

Apart from being a clever storyteller he is also a good writer. Some of the stuff he writes are about pretty much everything. But then in relation to Design. I enjoy reading his savvy articles about things I didn't suspect to have much connection with the contemporary design practice. The nice part is how this unexpected connection is illustrated or sometimes even shaped.

As his students, reading his articles is not officially part of our curriculum, but it is highly valuable. The articles are a rich source of down to earth discourse of the design practice. The topics deal with the current issues industrial design is subjected to. They are straight forward and fun to read too! I find them somehow motivating. Anyway, find out for yourself!
Above are a few pics during our delightful 'workshop' at Naba.

AVL

Starting from the 08/08/08 I will be staying in Rotterdam for seven weeks, were I will be hanging around AVL (Atelier Van Lieshout), building stuff of all kinds.
If you happen to be around, drop me a note or give me a call, I will be delighted to receive you, especially those international people:). In other words, read this as a welcoming invitation to visit the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, have a nice summer!

AA School

If you happen to be around and haven't been at the Architectural Association's Projects Review 2008 already, I think you might want to. For all kinds of reasons, it is really worth it! The exhibition is not very big so it won't take much of your valuable summer break time. It is not often that I get impressed by architecture, but this sure does it. Maybe that's partially because the projects deal with same issues as we are looking at within product and industrial design; but then on a much bigger and static scale, naturally.

One love.

Burn Up

Yet another dazzling propaganda about sustainability:). No, this ain't nothing new. Looks like drama too openly jumped on the band wagon and play, as usual, with the society's doubts and fears...? Or is there any rich and mighty personality trying to send some message through;)? I am talking about this brand new two episodes series recently aired on BBC2: Burn Up. Surely it is corny and is full with clichés, but the whole idea is quite actual and highly evocative. See for yourself.
Cheers!

Minerva

This weblog is a terrible one due to my lack of frequency. But still, I admittedly managed to make myself a few enemies through writing in Dutch... So from now on, I will try to write in English.
This weekend I am in Groningen, NL. Yesterday was held the private view of the graduation show of Minerva, where Loes has to show her final year projects. She graduated working on two separate projects, one dealing with contemporary tales and the other one being a music clip. These two projects proved to be joyful, accessible and yet engaging. And she was fairly committed, which provided her with the Minerva Prize! Yeah! A very welcome encouragement and a wonderful way to round up four years of academical training, I thought.
Her whole peer group graduated with loads of interesting projects.
Generally, the exhibition is quite well executed. This all makes it worth to check out if you happen to be around.
Peace.

Tour

Afgelopen weekend gingen mijn huisgenote samen met haar bezoek uit het zuiden een weekend rond reizen op het platteland. Uiteindelijk zijn ze via Whitsable bij Canterbury beland. Ik kwam ze joinen in Dover, drie uur rijden vanaf London Victoria. Je rijdt dan langs Blue Water, het tweede na grootste winkelcentrum van de UK. Je rijdt ook langs de bekende Kent University. In Dover zelf zijn er de bekende white cliffs te bewonderen, een imposant kasteel, de haven, de zee en Frankrijk in de verte. Het deed ons goed beseffen dat we eigenlijk inderdaad op een eiland zitten.
Engeland is best wel mooi, iets dat je vaak neigt te vergeten als je alleen maar in Londen bent. Londen lijkt dan een land aan zich, met alle wijken als een soort steden.
We hebben ons voorgenomen om vaker buiten de stad de toeristen uit te hangen.
Peace.