London Design Festival today announces details of its 21st edition, taking place from 16 – 24 September 2023. With a vibrant and thought-provoking programme of events, exhibitions, and installations, the Festival will once again provide a vital platform for designers and creative businesses to showcase their work. This year’s edition will continue to foster growth and excellence in the sector, building on a two-decade-long legacy and commitment to promoting and supporting the UK’s design community.
The creative industries are a British success story, and a powerhouse of the UK economy, growing 1.5 times faster than the wider economy over the past decade and contributing £108 billion in gross value added (GVA) annually. Employment in the sector has grown five times faster than the rest of the economy since 2011. Against this backdrop, London Design Festival continues to play a pivotal role in promoting the design sector and positioning London as a global design capital. The Festival provides an unrivalled platform that showcases designers to domestic and international audiences. Last year there were 1.5 million visits by 360,000 visitors.
The Festival’s programme also encourages the next generation to pursue a creative career. Young and emerging talent are a vital part of the creative ecosystem and key to maximising the economic potential of the sector. However, the sector faces long-term challenges as design subjects continue to experience a decline at GCSE and A levels. The Festival remains predominantly free, allowing diverse audiences to discover and encounter inspiring design stories. By providing accessible and inclusive experiences, it aims to inspire young audiences, encouraging them to consider a creative career.
The 2023 Festival programme will take over the city presenting groundbreaking ideas and creative concepts that underscore the vital role of design. The programme will feature major installations, museum exhibits, Design Districts that highlight creative clusters across London, Design Fairs and the Global Design Forum, a thought leadership programme that brings together creative leaders to explore and propose solutions for pressing global issues. Additionally, the annual London Design Medals will recognise the contribution made by leading design figures and emerging talent to London and the industry, with four London Design Medals awarded each year. The Festival is delighted to continue its long-standing partnership with Fortnum & Mason as the Supporting Partner of the London Design Medals 2023. Further details of this year’s winners will be announced in September.
London Design Fair// Design Alumni Pavilion //Ian Burnell
Bloomberg Connects, a free digital guide to cultural organisations around the world that makes it easy to access and engage with arts and culture from mobile devices, will feature a free mobile guide to the Festival. The guide will include expert commentary, video highlights, behind the scenes footage and exhibition maps.
In line with its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, the Festival introduces Launch Pad, a new initiative for 2023, which aims to elevate designers who typically face barriers to accessing the Festival’s partnership scheme. Launch Pad invites emerging designers, recent graduates, charities, not-for-profit organisations and small businesses to apply, ensuring that a broad range of talent have an opportunity to showcase their work and connect with new audiences.
London Design Fair// Design Alumni Pavilion //Ian Burnell – Robinson House
The 2023 Festival programme will take over the city presenting groundbreaking ideas and creative concepts that underscore the vital role of design. The programme will feature major installations, museum exhibits, Design Districts that highlight creative clusters across London, Design Fairs and the Global Design Forum, a thought leadership programme that brings together creative leaders to explore and propose solutions for pressing global issues.
Ben Evans, London Design Festival Director, said: “The London Design Festival continues to provide an invaluable platform for the UK’s design community. Over the past two decades, the Festival has cemented London’s reputation as a global creative capital while supporting designers at every level of their careers. This year’s programme promises fresh perspectives and boundary-pushing ideas that will inspire audiences. But just as importantly, the Festival provides opportunities for emerging talent and promotes inclusivity in the sector. We are incredibly proud of the vital role the Festival plays in helping designers and creative businesses to reach new audiences and championing design’s significance in shaping our world.”
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, London, said: “The London Design Festival is a highlight in the cultural calendar, which the Mayor and I are delighted to support. It celebrates the design excellence and talent of our creative community and showcases London’s position as a global design capital. The creative industries are playing a pivotal role in our economic recovery, bringing together people from all backgrounds and supporting young and emerging creative talent as we build a better London for everyone”
Jemma Read, Global Head, Bloomberg Corporate Philanthropy, said: “At Bloomberg, we believe that public art can spur important collaborations and improve the quality of life in our cities. We are delighted to support the London Design Festival’s ambitious 2023 programme, bolstering London’s reputation as a creative and cultural leader.”
LANDMARK PROJECTS
WREN 300
2023 marks the 300th anniversary of Sir Christopher Wren’s death. London Design Festival supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies takes the opportunity to delve into the legacy of the extraordinary architect and polymath through a modern lens. By collaborating with contemporary designers, the Festival aims to provide fresh insights into Wren and his collection of architectural masterpieces. The two Landmark Projects which will form part of the Wren 300 celebrations will serve as a means of engaging with his architectural and scientific heritage, as well as exploring how his works remain relevant and inspiring in the present day. Through innovative responses and creative interventions, the Festival seeks to infuse these spaces with contemporary perspectives, celebrating Wren’s enduring influence and showcasing his significance in the 21st century.
At St Paul’s Cathedral, London Design Festival in association with Artichoke will present Aura by Spanish artist Pablo Valbuena. The installation approaches what a temple means in today’s world and examines the potential of time, sound and light to create contemporary rituals. Aura is a live installation that transforms the sounds present in the cathedral into a pulsating line of light projected at an architectural scale. The piece is deeply intertwined with the context and fabric of Wren’s masterpiece. It introduces new ideas while seamlessly integrating into the building and its daily life as if it had been part of the original design. Aura listens to the sound, voices and music generated in St Paul’s and materialises them into a spectral, three-dimensional aura that enhances the ritual aspects of this space.
Photo credit: Sound spectrum of St Paul’s choir singing Evensong. Aura. Pablo Valbuena, 2023.
Studio Waldemeyer will present Halo a transcendent light installation within St. Stephen Walbrook Church. The conical pendulum traces a celestial path around Henry Moore’s famed altar, evoking planetary motions and creating an ethereal Halo. Slow colour transitions on the grand dome, inspired by natural phenomena like the aurora borealis, amplify the meditative aura. ‘Halo’ transcends religious affiliations, inviting viewers from all walks of life to immerse themselves in a unified appreciation of history, art, and spirituality. It is a captivating journey into the past and an evocative exploration of the celestial, encouraging the modern viewer to find spiritual resonance within the timeless and the ethereal.
Halo by Studio Waldemeyer
The Festival is proud to announce the Mayor of London and Bloomberg Philanthropies as Principal Supporters for 2023.
16-24 SEPTEMBER 2023
londondesignfestival.com
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