Up Next: Dutch Design Week 2018

‘If not us, then who?’ asks the 2018 edition of Dutch Design Week (DDW). With this theme in mind, the upcoming design week, that will begin on October 20, promises to be challenging, imaginative, speculative and sometimes a little absurd. Director Martijn Paulen explains the choice of theme as related to the role of designers in the 21st century: “Designers think up solutions, create innovations, are pioneers, make things tangible and functional. They look at their surroundings and the world in a unique way. “How could it be different, better?” And to these questions, designers continually supply authentic and surprising answers. It is up to us all to embrace and stimulate these creative solutions, and that includes you. If not you, then who? Together we decide how the world will look.”

With a huge range of exhibitions, events, workshops, awards and talks on offer, TLmag picks out a few things to look out for around Eindhoven during Dutch Design Week:

ROBOT LOVE
Are robots capable of love? In this interactive exhibition, visitors can discover their emotions, anxieties and the possibilities technological advances in robotics are creating. Over 50 artists designers and scientist will present installations, short films, workshops, symposia, lectures and even a cyborg catwalk to delve into what it means to be a human in a world increasingly inhabited by robots.

Sat 20 Oct – Sun 28 Oct in Melkfabriek by ROBOT LOVE

28 GRAMS OF HAPPINESS
This sensorial food experience comprised of a food design experience by the Eatelier & Pippens, an exhibition curated by Justin Kontou and an art experience by KRL asks ‘can cultivate happiness through food.’ The dining experiences will translate scientific research into lunch and dinner experiences.

Weekday lunches: 8 – 10 course, 12.00 till 14.00 served daily, weekend lunches: 10 – 12 course, 12.00 till 14.30, all dinners – 16 course, 18.30 till 21.30 served daily, entrance with extra tickets only to all events

Sectie-C, Daalakkersweg 12, 5641 JA Eindhoven

LIMBO EMBASSY – MANON VAN HOECKEL
The social designer, Manon van Hoeckel presents a traveling embassy for refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants giving the role of ambassadors to refugees and therefore reframing them in a new light. Through empowering design solutions Hoeckel’s work aims to create systematic change and create conversations in public space.

Shown as part of the Dutch Design Awards exhibition. All week in Veem | Floor 3 by Dutch Design Foundation

ALTER EGO – KIKI AND JOOST
The Dutch designers Kiki van Eijk and Joost van Bleiswijk will play with all the roles a designer can take. In a performative exhibition in their new studio space, they will post as sculptors, poets, treasure hunters, composers, social activists, parents, mad professors, painters, bakers, gardeners and more.

Sat 20 Oct – Sun 28 Oct in Plan-B by Kiki van Eijk & Joost van Bleiswijk

TEXTILE MATTER
The students of the Swedish school of Textiles present a host of speculative projects that push the boundaries of textile design. They use playfulness and interaction to reflect on the fundamental relationship between humans and textiles.

All week in Veem | Floor 2 by The Swedish School of Textiles

TAKE AWAY
The design collective Dutch Invertuals investigate what it means to take away and to reduce in a time where mankind is reaching its outer limits of physical expansion. In “Take Away”, 10 designers explore the complications caused by our contemporary lifestyle and present their vision on viable futures through radical approaches to making and thinking.

All week in NS Loods / Studio Edhv by Dutch Invertuals

G18
For the first time in nearly two decades, the DAE Graduation Show leaves the DAE campus and will be showcased in the historic Campina Milk Factory. The 208 projects by 185 graduates will explore a variety of themes but ultimately are tied together in their re-design of what design is and does.

Sat 20 Oct – Sun 28 Oct in Hallen by Design Academy Eindhoven

DAILY TRACTOR
A little bit of play, a little bit of making, a little bit of perseverance and a little bit of color. This exhibition presents the charmingly simple ritual of designer Floris Hovers who make a tractor every day as an ode to a machine he thinks is one of the most important in history.

All week in Plan-B by Floris Hovers Ontwerpen

DDW MUSIC FESTIVAL
The music festival that will run alongside the exhibitions brings more than 90 national and international artists to venues across the city so visitors can relax after a day of design.

All week at various locations

PRINT PAKT LIVE
For those who’d like to continue discovering design after DDW ends, Print Pakt live is the place for you. In an exhibition that was designed by Dutch graphic designer, illustrator and architect Joost Swarte, they showcase the 33 best Dutch Design books of 2017.

All week in Yksi by KVGO | Print Pakt at YKSI, Torenallee 22-04, 5617 BD

DDW will run from October 20 – 28 throughout Eindhoven

Cover image: In4nite II – Low & Bonar exhibition work by designer Mieke van den Hout