Going from strength to strength since its inaugural event 11 years ago, the London Design Festival is now one of the most influential and well-attended design events anywhere in the world. And with theme Design is Everywhere this year’s LDF promises more of the same winning formula of unique public installations, ‘design destinations’ and a ever-growing ‘fringe’ featuring some of the coolest and most creative design events the city has to offer.
Once again, the Victoria and Albert Museum, which last year recorded 111,538 visitors during the festival period, will be the hub of the festival, hosting lectures, discussions and workshops as well as several installations created especially for LDF.
God is in the Details, a collaboration with crystal company Swarovski, will ask 20 influential designers and design figures to chose an object from the V&A’s galleries and use Swarovski lenses to magnify highlights or curiosities within its design.
Dutch design outfit Scholten & Baijings will transform a room at the museum into a lived-in space with a life-like (and recently deserted) laid dinner table in place. The installation is designed to challenge visitors to think differently about designed objects, which are more often displayed on plinths or behind glass.
There will also be an installation made entirely of cork designed by FAT Architecture, which took inspiration from the historical stone and mosaic floors at the V&A. Across town, Alex de Rijke, co-founder of dRMM Architects, will create surreal wooden sculpture in the grounds of St Paul’s Cathedral. The MC Escher-inspired installation, called Endless Stair, will be made of 20 interlocking staircases made of 44 cu m of tulipwood, supplied by the American Hardwood Export Council.
Central to LDF are the many design fairs that take place across the city, including 100% Design and Tent. One of the stand-out events of last year’s festival was Design Junction, making its debut. This will return to the gloriously industrial setting of the vast Old Sorting Office, in High Holborn.
