Design Shanghai will open its doors on 27th March allowing visitors to experience more than 300 companies, galleries and designers showing limited edition pieces, exclusive product launches and world firsts across its Contemporary, Classic and Collectible Design Halls.

Leading the design scene in China, Design Shanghai will be the place to see international design companies such as Fritz Hansen, Hay, Ibride, Moroso, Vitra and Seletti, as well as emerging Chinese design talent including Frank Chou, Zai Ye Design and MZGF Furniture. This year is also the launch of the Collectible Design Hall, the first time a platform has been created in China to explore the realm of limited edition design. David Gill presents Zaha Hadid for Citco; Marcel Wanders for Baccarat, Christofle and Personal Editions; Arik Levy, with the Louise Alexander Gallery; US-based Gallery All; Xin Dong Cheng Space for Contemporary Art; Carpenters Workshop Gallery and many others will be featured in this section.

In addition, the event will be enriched by an impressive selection of curatorial content from leading western and Chinese designers and brands. Some of the highlights include the unveiling of Chinese artist Wang Yuyang’s ‘Equip’ sculpture for Swiss luxury brand Bally’s Jean Prouvé 6×9 Demountable House installation, Design Shanghai & AD Emerging Chinese Designers Platform showcasing young Chinese designers, and Fredrikson Stallard’s new ‘Prologue’ installation for Swarovski, made of 8,000 blue-shade Swarovski crystal droplets.

Design Shanghai takes place at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre from 27th to 30th March 2015 and is expecting visitor numbers of over 60,000 across the four-day event. Jaguar Land Rover is the Headline Sponsor. 

FEATURES

Design Shanghai and AD Emerging Chinese Designers Platform

This year marks the launch of the Design Shanghai & AD Emerging Chinese Designers Platform at Design Shanghai, where ten designers have been selected by AD China and Ross Urwin, Design Shanghai’s Creative Director, to show their work at this year’s event. The selected emerging designers include Chen Furong, Gong Lingna, Huang Jiewen, Li Gongbiao, Ruan Hao, Wu Haoyu, Yu Haotian, Zhang Chao, Zhang Yuqian and Zhao Nan.

Alongside their original designs, the designers have been asked to create a 2D rendering that reflects the changing design scene in China. The designers’ original designs and 2D work will be displayed during the four-day event and will be judged by a panel including Xu Wang, Editorial Director of AD China; Ross Urwin, Creative Director of Design Shanghai; Jaime Hayon, Designer in association with Fritz Hansen; Rossana Hu, Co-founder of Neri and Hu; Mathieu Borysevicz, Curator of Studio Bank/ Mab Society and Kenneth Li, Founder of Creativo.

The judges’ role will be to select an overall winner and act as a mentor to the ten designers during Design Shanghai. In addition to the great exposure during Design Shanghai, and the mentoring support from a panel of international design experts, the winning designer will also be awarded a complimentary exhibitors stand by Media 10 to show at Design Shanghai 2016 as well as the opportunity to showcase their works at future exhibitions held in China later in the year. 

Swarovski creates new version of ‘Prologue’ for Design Shanghai

During Design Shanghai 2015, Swarovski will present a new version of ‘Prologue’, seen on mainland China for the first time. Designed by London-based Fredrikson Stallard, ‘Prologue’ is a monumental circular sculpture measuring 4m in diameter and holding over 8,000 blue-shade Swarovski crystal droplets within a galvanised steel frame. The circular shape of the sculpture represents a cycle of infinite potential and the crystals will transform the space and environment surrounding the sculpture throughout the day. This new version of ‘Prologue’ makes its debut at Design Shanghai in 2015 to coincide with the 15th Anniversary of the Swarovski Waterschool. The Swarovski Waterschool programme aims to inform young people about the importance of clean water and so far has educated 196,000 students in 2,600 schools, across four countries.

Bally presents Jean Prouvé 6X9 Demountable House

Among the highlights of Design Shanghai’s varied programme of events

and installations is Jean Prouvé’s newly restored 6X9 Demountable House. For its first ever showing in Asia the installation will include a site-specific

Wang Yuyang and the ‘Equip’ sculpture for
Swiss luxury brand Bally’s Jean Prouvé 6×9
Demountable House installation

intervention by Chinese artist, Wang Yuyang. Selected by internationally renowned contemporary art curator Jérôme Sans, Yuyang will present ‘Equip’, a sculpture that reflects the aesthetics and philosophy of Jean Prouvé’s House and its relevance in China’s contemporary society. The sculpture entails a 3D process that transforms the linear dimensions of the house through binary code, which then creates a 3D rendering. Craftsmen translated the renderings into a handmade sculptural form using various materials specified by Yuyang such as copper, wood, steel and plastic.

To visit the Bally exhibition, visitors must pre-book a time slot on http://functionandmodernity.com/category/ballydesignshanghai and also register for Design Shanghai on https://bj3.infosalons.com.cn/reg/dsh15/registeren/start.aspx.

Journey of Light by Elle Decoration China

Journey of Light consists of two spaces. One is a light installation entitled

Carpenters Workshop Gallery Haygarth,
Optical Chandelier Tinted (Large) can be
found in the Collectible Design Hall

‘Spark’ and the other is a space where visitors can experience lighting designs by 10 local designers who were discovered by Elle Decoration in China.

‘Spark’ examines the culture of light, the ambivalent promethean medium: a symbol of innovation and change as well as the archetype for safety and warmth. 

Anomaly creates immersive installation

Showing for the first time at Design Shanghai 2015, international communications agency Anomaly will present ‘The Unreasonable’, a multi-media installation combining video, sound and words in an engaging way that celebrates those who are innovating across a range of industries and countries.

‘Virtual is Real”

CIRCA invites famous Chinese design director of Yang Design, Jamy Yang to present an art installation called “Virtual is Real”. Jamy Yang will work with CIRCA to create a virtual space with real points of contact; tangible exhibits will be integrated into this virtual space through the use of special liquid like solids. 

DESIGN HALLS

Across the Contemporary Design, Classic Design and Collectible Design Halls, international designers will be exhibiting new collections, one-off pieces and designs never before exhibited in Asia.

Ross Urwin and Darrel Best, Creative Directors of Design Shanghai, said: “Design Shanghai aims to explore how eastern and western design philosophies can work together synergistically across the three halls: Contemporary Design, Classic Design and Collectible Design. We are proud to be involved in the creation of a platform to exhibit both established and emerging Chinese and international brands.”

Collectible Design Hall 

The Collectible Design Hall at Design Shanghai is curated and directed by

Zaha Hadid’s ‘Liquid Glacial’ table, represented by
the David Gill Gallery, showing in the Collectible
Design Hall

Morgan Morris, Director of Perfect Crossovers, and will explore the realm of limited edition design and its crossovers with the art and design worlds in China and the West. The hall will showcase top designers and galleries that represent the best of collectible design from Europe, the US and the Asia Pacific region with a special focus on China.

Internationally known designers and galleries will present collectible designs including Marcel Wanders; Zaha Hadid; Arik Levy; David Gill Gallery representing Humberto & Fernando Campana, Francis Sultana and Mattia Bonetti; Stuart Haygarth, Studio Drift, Humberto & Fernando Campana, and others represented by Carpenters Workshop Gallery.

A new wave of Chinese talent will also be on display. The work of Song Tao, Jing Jing (Naihan Li) and Liu Feng will be featured, as well as three generations of Chinese designers, from Shao Fan to Shi Jianmin and Guo Bin, presented by the Xin Dong Cheng Space for Contemporary Art.

UK-based designers will also make a debut. Visitors will be able to see John

Moroso will be showing a wide collection of
designers in the Contemporary Hall. Pictured:
KUB table by Nendo for Moroso

C. Taylor’s Dragon Chronophage clock, Method Studio will present JOHN WALKER & SONS™ Master Blender’s Trunks for Johnnie Walker House, and Bertram Whitford, a trained cabinetmaker, will be launching the Steam Desk and Steam mirrors, made out of English elm using a steam bending technique.

Morgan Morris said: “We are excited to present the new wave of Chinese designers working in limited edition collectible design in a rigorous and creative manner. They are part of a brand new but fast-growing trend in China and the show will be instrumental in bringing this arena to the forefront.” 

Contemporary Design Hall

DomusTiandi, a sponsor of Design Shanghai, will be bringing a selection of its latest products from world-class designers and manufacturers to the Contemporary Design Hall including Minotti, Promemoria, Ceccotti, Tom Dixon and Ingo Maurer. In addition, some of the world’s leading international designers and manufacturers, such as Fritz Hansen, Bo Concept, HAY and Vitra, will exhibit alongside exciting new studios and designers whose work in the contemporary design field sets them apart from their competitors.

‘The Designer’s Residence’, a conceptual installation by Georg Jensen, will

Frank Chou, an emerging Chinese designer,
presents his new collection including the
Kuan Chair, Ring Lamp, Nov Sofa and Ping
Screen for Frank Chou Design Studio

present the brand’s latest products arranged across five distinct ‘living spaces’. Making its Design Shanghai debut in 2015, Italian design brand Moroso will present designs by Nendo, Patricia Urquiola, Ron Arad, Tord Boontje, Front and many more.

Patrizia Moroso, Art Director at Moroso said: “We decided to attend Design Shanghai because we believe that this is a new and significant emerging market and that there is major interest in China for Italian design companies like Moroso. I think this is related to our history, our craftsmanship and a strong international affinity for the brand. This fair represents a unique chance to promote Moroso in this region of the world, an ideal platform to show our products and a strong brand-building environment as a result of the major media exposure.”

Classic Design Hall

Amongst the new designs on show at Design Shanghai, leading London-based designer Richard Brendon, best known for his elegant ceramics, will premiere the new Richard Brendon Bespoke service in the Classic Design Hall and allowing discerning clients to create a customised Richard Brendon collection. Elizabeth Ashard Ltd will present a collection of bespoke handmade rugs made out of Tibetan Wool with silk accents and that draw inspiration from sources as diverse as Moghul wall paintings, Georgian wallpaper, Venetian graffiti and rock formations. Many other leading names, including WallVision, Angus Ross and Miele will be joining these designers. 

AD CHINA DESIGN FORUM | TRANSITION AND TRANSFORMATION

At Design Shanghai 2015, the world’s leading designers, architects, curators and inventors will share their experiences and influences during an international series of talks and debates.

The AD China Design Forum, curated by Aidan Walker, focuses on Transition and Transformation, this year’s seminar theme. The programme is designed to explore the specific transitional and transformational activity in a maturing Chinese design industry, touching on topics such as the politics of design, craft, materiality, urbanism, technology and art.

To create well-rounded, informative conversations and debates, the programme includes key opinion formers from the global architecture and design community, including Marcel Wanders, Jaime Hayon in association with Fritz Hansen, Arik Levy, Lee Broom, Aric Chen, Jérôme Sans, Lyndon Neri & Rossana Hu, and WGSN’s Lisa White. For the full AD China Design Forum programme, please see the ‘Notes to Editors’.

Aidan Walker, AD China Design Forum Curator, said: “’We are absolutely delighted by the quality and range of speakers at the AD China Forum at Design Shanghai 2015. This programme demonstrates not only the overwhelming enthusiasm of top western designers to engage with the emerging design industry in the world’s most populous country, but also the eagerness of their distinguished Chinese counterparts to share ideas and inspirations, working towards a new and meaningful definition of modern Chinese design. The Design Shanghai team is privileged to be in a position to support and promote this process.”

HOSPITALITY & EVENTS

As well as exhibitions and installations, visitors can enjoy a range of events, restaurants, cafes, bars and a VIP lounge.

To mark Design Shanghai’s opening, an official ceremony will take place on Friday 27 March at 10am at the main entrance of the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. Visitors will be welcomed with a ribbon cutting by Media 10, Design Shanghai’s show organisers.

Visitors will start their design journey in the Shanghai Exhibition Centre’s beautiful domed entrance hall. Here they can enjoy a glass of champagne at the Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Champagne Reception Bar while they take in the sights of Design Shanghai around them.

For refreshments, visitors will have various options. Leading design store brand The House of Heddy will host a cafe space with a unique and artistic design concept. Additionally, Mr. Choi Patisserie Café will be located in the Classic Design Hall, on level two, serving sandwiches, salads and pastries.

Additionally, Henkes, located in the Contemporary Hall, will be hosting an exciting pop up cafe bringing their much loved soups, pastas and other delights to the event. The Beast will be creating its innovative installation and cafe in the partners lounge in the Collectible Design Hall. For something a little different, EQ foods, located in the Classic Design Hall, will present a fun twist on the growing mobile cafe trend with its coffee bike concept, serving up their famous Danish treats.

Visitors will also have the chance to participate in an interactive cooking experience with Fisher & Paykel. The Social Kitchen is a unique exploration of people, food and design and an attempt to rethink the role of the kitchen.

The Martell VIP Lounge, sponsored by Martell Noblige, will be located in the Collectible Design Hall and will celebrate the creative fusion of art and design. Martell Noblige will bring its truly unique and exclusive Dang Dai Ming Shi (Elite) Lifestyle Lab experience to all guests with lifestyle demonstrations of DDMS KOLs, which are inspired by the limited edition creation and manifested in expressions of Visual art, Fashion, Music and Mixology.

Those wanting to take home a piece of Design Shanghai can explore the Design Store, a dedicated retail space showcasing a selection of designs and interiors accessories from a range of disciplines.

Visitors will also be able to take part in a live auction that will be hosted on Sunday 29th March. The live auction will be organised by iPai, an American auction house in China, and feature carefully selected collectible design pieces from among the exhibitors in the Collectible Design Hall.

Mike Dynan, Show Director for Design Shanghai said:

“We are incredibly excited about Design Shanghai 2015. The design and creative industries in China have exploded and are growing at a pace that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Design Shanghai will reflect this phenomenon by bringing together the largest collection of leading design companies and creative experts ever gathered in one place in mainland China.

“As well as featuring exclusive product launches and one-off limited edition pieces designed specifically for a Chinese audience, the show will highlight new local contemporary design talent and showcase fantastic traditional Chinese designs. Design Shanghai 2015 promises to be an event of global significance and will highlight the burgeoning creative industry in China.”

Design Shanghai

27 – 30 March 2015

Shanghai Exhibition Centre

Jingan District, Shanghai, China

Website: www.designshowshanghai.com