Show RCA, Royal College of Art‘s annual postgraduate exhibition, returns this year to showcase the next generation of artists, designers, writers and thinkers simultaneously for the first time since the 2007 Great Exhibition. Show RCA 2011 features a culmination of the studio work and research of 431 graduating art and design students in a range of disciplines.

SHOW RCA 2011, 24th June-3rd July 2011

ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU

Catherine Aitken – Textiles. Top: Louis Thompson – Ceramics & Glass

Jack Smith – Design Products

Makiko Nakamura – Ceramics & Glass with Marina Dragomirova – Design Products

Pia Wustenberg – Design Products

Sarah Wiberley – Ceramics & Glass

Lab Craft: Digital Adventures in Contemporary Craft is an exhibition exploring the use of digital technologies in craft practice. The exhibition, curated by LDG editor Max Fraser, is showing at Arts Depot gallery in London as part of its 18-month tour of the UK.

LAB CRAFT, 6th May-26th June 2011

ARTS DEPOT

5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, London N12 0GA (020 8369 5454)

Lab Craft features 26 makers who combine the hand, mind and eye, technical mastery of tools and materials and aesthetic sensibility, with digital technologies such as rapid prototyping, laser cutting, laser scanning and digital printing. It explores the use of technology as an extension to the capabilities of the human hand.

Lab Craft includes work by some of the most experimental names in craft and design including; Tord Boontje, Michael Eden, Gareth Neal, Timorous Beasties and Nina Tolstrup, with many showing new work.

It features textiles, ceramics, furniture, jewellery, glass, lighting and much more. Two commissioned films accompany the exhibition; one exploring process, showing footage of work being produced using a range of the new technologies and the other showing a series of interviews with the exhibited makers and key figures in the field of digital making.

Fraser says “Today we live in a Digital Age; a time when technological advancements are presenting craft practitioners with liberating opportunities. A new visual language is emerging. A language which involves manipulating, distorting and exploiting the parameters of digital software and fabrication tools. These tools enable the production of objects that move beyond the limitations of the hand.”

“Imagine objects three-dimensionally printed from a bed of nylon powder; shapes appearing to seamlessly morph and merge with each other; materials etched and cut by computer-controlled lasers and milling machines; movements and sound waves captured and translated into physical objects by sensors and scanners; and new forms randomly self-generated by computer software. Lab Craft presents the imagined as real objects.”

“As the human touch is considered a pivotal anchor in the definition of craft, is this made redundant amid the adoption of digital tools? Does digital perfection allow space for the great charm of mistakes? Far be it from spelling the end of craft as we know it, Lab Craft presents an exciting extension to the maker’s toolbox by showcasing a variety of items that utilise digital technologies, wholly or in part, in pursuit of pioneering new outcomes.”

The exhibition is curated by Max Fraser, in partnership with the Crafts Council, and designed by maker Tomoko Azumi.

Images, from top: ‘Information Ate My Table’ by Zachary Eastwood-Bloom; ‘Babel’ vessel by Michael Eden; ‘Shine’ candelabra by Geoffrey Mann; Chair upholstered with ‘White Moth All Over’ by Timorous Beasties; ‘Bubble’ neckpiece by Lynne MacLachlan; ‘Assa Table Loop Light’ by Assa Ashuach; ‘Matrix bracelet 2′ by Justin Marshall; ‘Digital Shibori’ by Melanie Bowles; ‘Woven Wood’ by Gary Allson and Ismini Samanidou.

Jewellery designer Hannah Martin has teamed up with tech-design genius Moritz Waldemeyer on a breathtaking installation at Dover Street Market, involving lasers, sensors, sound effects and augmented reality.

THE MAN WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING

18th-30th March 2011

DOVER STREET MARKET

17-18 Dover Street, London W1S 4LT (020 7518 0680)

To launch her latest jewellery collection, called The Man Who Knows Everything, Martin opted to collaborate with Waldemeyer to create an imposing display for a single ring, which doubles as security for the precious gems within.

Waldemeyer came up with the idea of an interactive obelisk to house Martin’s newest iconic ring. Sitting at three metres, produced in black Dupont Corian and surrounded by sound-making-laser-strings, the imposing structure takes jewellery displays to a new level.

Break the laser beams and the sound effects change, reminding you not to get too close!

If you’re compelled to try on the ring in question (Euphoria of Lights: The Comte’s Pyramid Ring), you can do so in cyberspace using a new app that has been specially developed by augmented reality experts, Holition. All you need is your computer, a printer and a web cam. Here’s a video showing how it works.

Some of the pieces in Hannah Martin’s new collection are shown below.

Above: Euphoria of Lights: The Comte’s Pyramid Ring (red gold with channel-set rubies, tourmaline and orange sapphires)

Above: Shaman’s Triangle Pave Cufflinks (red gold with rubies, tourmaline and orange sapphires)

Above: Shaman’s Triangle Simple Signet (yellow gold)

Above: Shaman’s Triangle Bangle (silver)

Above: Shaman’s Triangle Pendant (silver)

All pieces are available in gold and silver.

Installation images by Mark Cocksedge. Product images courtesy of Hannah Martin Ltd.

The Temporium is a new pop-up store that makes use of empty shop spaces, providing online retailers and small independent brands with a temporary high street presence. The first one is just in time for Christmas…

THE TEMPORIUM, 9th-19th December 2010

221 Brompton Road, London SW3 2EJ (07887 502 457)

Conceived as a temporary emporium (get it?!), expect to find watches, glassware, ceramics, lighting, furniture, books, jewellery and home wares from a variety of design-led brands.

Located in the prestigious shopping district between Knightsbridge and South Kensington (Brompton to be precise), this store undoubtedly provides an alternative and more down-to-earth shopping experience to the predictable offerings of many of its neighbours.

Participating designers and brands include Dezeen Watch Store, Studio Toogood, Cristian Zuzunaga, Another Country, People Will Always Need Plates, Undergrowth Design, Lee Broom, Foundry Lighting…

… and Theo, Shan Valla, Plumen, Fiona Paxton, Tracey Neuls, Gestalten, Philippe Malouin, Charlene Mullen, Bocci, Jacqueline Rabun, Miranda Watkins, RVW, Paperself, and Jason Bruges. Gasp…

Oh yes, and signed copies of LONDON DESIGN GUIDE are also being sold there.

The Temporium is likely to pop-up again in different locations throughout the year. It is organised as a collaboration between Alice Breed, Marcus Fairs and Deborah Spencer.

Images, from top: 14 Series light by Bocci; 200 Series watch by Uniform Wares; Haijk cups by RVW; Martini set by Miranda Watkins; ‘Bin’ bags by Studio Toogood; Giant Flow scarf by Cristian Zuzunaga; Day bed by Another Country.

Leading auction house, Phillips de Pury & Company, has got in on the ‘pop-up’ act with Projectory, its second such installment of contemporary design at its top-floor space at The Saatchi Gallery.

PROJECTORY

PHILLIPS DE PURY & COMPANY at The Saatchi Gallery

Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4SQ (020 7318 4066)

The programme launched in May as Connectors, a selling exhibition of contemporary design “with a manifesto predicated on forging bonds with contemporary artists through a greater understanding of process, medium and ethos.”

The programme has transitioned from selling exhibition to ‘proper shop,’ including product and furniture design while incorporating artist’s multiples, prints, photography, artist’s books, and independently published journals.

Many of the works are one-offs, prototypes, or limited editions exclusive to Phillips de Pury.

Projectory includes talents such as Bertjan Pot, Max Lamb, Massimiliano Adami, Nendo, Peter Marigold, Raw Edges, Seongyong Lee, Mark Braun, and Michel Charlot.

No end date has been announced for Projectory, but we have been promised that it will remain open until after Christmas.

Images, from top: the Projectory exhibition; Plytube bench by Seongyung Lee; Lift Tables by Mark Braun; Genevieve Tartrat cabinet by Peter Marigold; ECAL mold lamp by Michel Charlot; Plytube rectangular table by Seongyung Lee.

This year sees the 4th edition of the Pavilion of Art and Design London, a key event as part of the Frieze Art Fair week. Fifty international dealers are gathering on Berkeley Square to present an historical panorama of covetable and iconic pieces from 1860 to the present day in the fields of Modern Art, Design, Decorative Arts, Photography and Tribal Art.

PAVILION OF ART AND DESIGN LONDON

13th-17th October 2010

Berkeley Square, London W1

PAD London covers a large spectrum of design and art and is considered one of the most exclusive rendez-vous during Frieze week. The event is conceived with meticulous care to meet the lofty expectations of a wealthy collecting audience.

Highlights include a strong first appearance from contemporary glass specialist Clara Scremini with a solo show of Czech glass master Frantisek Vizner, dramatic woodwork furniture by American artists Michael Coffey and Jack Rodgers, and the latest in interactive design form Carpenters Workshop Gallery.

Also showing at  PAD  London  is  a  new  project  conceived  by  curators  Janice  Blackburn  and  Nigel  Coates,  aimed  at  supporting  young  design  talents.  Drawing  from  the  departments  of  Architecture,  Ceramics,  Glass  and  Design  Products  at  the  Royal  College  of  Art,  the  curators  have  selected  some  twenty  pieces  from  this  year’s Graduate  Show  to  be  exhibited  at  the  fair . Fifteen percent of the profits generated from the sale of these works will go towards the RCA Student Fine Art Award Fund.

Images, from top: Faceted Console by Paul Evans; Untitled by Anish Kapoor (1998); Onyx Cabinet by Christophe Come (2002); Italian Walnut Console by Ico Parisi.

Tent London is regarded as the must-see event of the London Design Festival with over 200 emerging and established designers and companies presenting the very latest in furniture, lighting, digital and interior products.

TENT LONDON

23rd – 26th September 2010

Truman Brewery, Brick Lane London E1 6QL (020 7739 5561)

On display are a large collection of contract exhibitors, including Ercol, Bolon, iGuzzini, Mathmos and Inflate among many others. Furthermore, new domestic products are offered from companies such as Areaware and Miller Goodman.

There are many sections to be explored at Tent. One of them is SHOWHOW which introduces the latest trends in Danish design with a particular focus on sustainability.

In the venue’s outdoor courtyard space is a celebration of gardens by The Modern Garden Company, featuring an urban garden installation with the latest outdoor designs. In addition to the industrial outdoors, there’s also a chance to drop by design agency Vonsung‘s pop up Café-Bar, a structural pavilion that is open for the duration of the event.

For a glimpse of the future, head to the Tent Digital section of the show, which covers over 800 square metres of digital installations, supported by UK Trade & Investment.

A particular highlight of Tent this year is the ‘Lab Craft‘ exhibition, curated by LDG editor Max Fraser (OK, we’re a bit biased!). The exhibition looks at the growing influence of digital technologies on the craft sector and celebrates work in this field, with displays of some of the UK’s finest examples.

The exhibition is part of the Crafts Council‘s touring exhibition programme and will debut at Tent before traveling across the UK for 18 months.

New Designers exhibition is the leading showcase of graduate design talent as they emerge from the UK’s design courses, presenting everything from architecture to animation, furniture to fashion, graphics to glass. Hosted under one roof at Islington’s Business Design Centre (BDC), visitors can access over 3,500 new talents across the two-part event.

NEW DESIGNERS 2010

PART 1: 1st-4th July 2010 >>> Textiles; Fashion & Accessories; contemporary Applied Arts; Ceramics & Glass; Jewellery & Precious Metalwork.

PART 2: 8th-11th July 2010 >>> Product Design; Furniture; Visual Communications (including Graphic Design & Illustration); Spatial Design.

BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE

52 Upper Street, London N1 0QH (08448 480 139)

Due to the sheer volume of work being exhibited, New Designers is split across two shows with each show focussing on the creative disciplines listed above.

2010 is a landmark for New Designers, which will have been running for 25 successful years. To mark this anniversary, ‘Where are you now’ celebrates the success of a number of New Designer’s alumni with work displayed (and for sale) near the upper café.

Alongside the graduates’ exhibits is a special showcase of design entrepreneurs entitled ‘One Year On.’ As the name suggests, it presents a selected showcase of designers whose work has matured and progressed in their first year in business. Thorsten van Elten curates the 40 contributors.

An extensive talks and seminars programme adds further interest with sessions offering advice for professional development and insights into some of the key issues of the day.

We will be selling copies of LONDON DESIGN GUIDE at New Designers Part Two.

Morphing basket weave, a self-contained laundry and an over-sized charm bracelet are just some of the works that have been selected for the third and final Jerwood Contemporary Makers at the Jerwood Space.

JERWOOD CONTEMPORARY MAKERS, 16th June-25th July 2010

JERWOOD SPACE

171 Union Street, London SE1 0LN (020 7654 0171)

This year’s exhibition will explore the notion of making from a variety of creative perspectives. Selectors Hans Stofer, Richard Slee and Freddie Robins – three of the most inventive names in the visual arts – have chosen 29 makers to take part, each of whom will exhibit one work and receive an equal share of a £30,000 prize fund.

Jerwood Contemporary Makers was launched by the Jerwood Charitable Foundation in 2008 as a three-year exhibition series supporting and showcasing emerging creative talent. Each year, a different panel of selectors has curated the exhibition, inviting a group of makers to respond to a different guiding concept.

The exhibition is designed by Michael Marriott.

The Crafts Council‘s annual art fair for contemporary objects – COLLECT – is taking place at the Saatchi Gallery. Over 300 artists are exhibiting works with representative galleries from around the world.

COLLECT 2010, 14th-17th May 2010

SAATCHI GALLERY

Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4SQ

COLLECT 2010 presents both established artists and new talent, covering all disciplines: ceramics, glass, jewellery, silver and fine metalwork, textiles, and wood and furniture.

Participating London galleries include Contemporary Applied Arts, Electrum Gallery, Adrian Sassoon, Cockpit Arts, and Flow.

Furthermore, Seven emerging artists have created an installation in the windows of six local retailers, each working with the retail brand in mind. Called COLLECT TRAIL, retailers include Designers Guild, Cath Kidston, David Mellor, Osborne & Little, and TASCHEN.

Also worth checking out is satellite show – The Great Glass Exhibition – at Thomas Goode & Co in Mayfair.

Images, from top: Ghost series by Gareth Neal (CAA); Maelstrom by Michael Eden (Adrian Sassoon); Kuu-5 by Niyoko Ikuta (Yufuku Gallery); Untitled by Gareth Neal (CAA).