The London Design Festival celebrates creativity, innovation and the power of design to shape our world. The event showcases the diversity and dynamism of the artistic community whilst highlighting London’s pivotal role as a hub of creativity. Now in its 22^nd edition, the Festival showcases emerging and established talent alike and the designs on show highlight the pioneering artists driving forward the industry in the modern era. Here, we bring you five breathtaking installations on show this year. Each one honours the traditional design, craftsmanship and techniques that have emerged throughout the history of art and design whilst simultaneously looking forward to consider how these methods and ideas can be carried forward into a more sustainable and equitable future. They are certainly not to be missed.  

An immersive experience at Somerset House aims to synchronise visitors’ hearts with solar rhythms, expanding awareness of our relationship with celestial bodies. Marjan Van Aubel’s constellation of 77 lights mimics the sun’s daily cycle, from the gentle hues of sunrise to the glow of sunset. The installation is accompanied by a soundscape based on NASA’s solar recordings, intended to trigger the brain’s theta waves, produced during deep relaxation. The culmination of the two aspects is a profound rethinking of our relationship with the sun. The artist takes a topic which has traditionally been technical and economic and makes room for meaningful discussions of what it would mean to turn to solar energy.

The art of glassmaking requires an ability to balance the delicate with the robust. Liquid Light features an array of glass-blown droplets suspended in mid-air, collectively symbolizing the evolution of the art form over time. Slowly moving light passes through the pieces, projecting elegant undulations onto surrounding white walls. The installation dives into the craftsmanship that goes into the medium and builds upon Marshmallow Laser Feast’s aim to reframe common experiences. Barnaby Steel, Creative Director of the collective, said: “We wanted to create an experience that celebrates the balance between strength and fragility, and fully immerses audiences in a rich history of design: a story written in glass.”

Community is at the heart of POoR Collective’s design at Battersea Power Station. Inspired by the ideas and designs of local Wandsworth residents under the age of 18, the space is themed around the question “what does Battersea mean to you?” Those involved were invited to take part in a series of workshops hosted at the Power Station in August 2024 to help define how the installation would take shape. One hundred flags are suspended from the Grade II-listed building’s ceiling, depicting the journey from sunrise to sunset with bright colour, bold designs and a solar motif. The cascading flags are a visual representation of how the young people of the community perceive their community, lives and home. 

Nina Tolstrup celebrates the instantly recognizable midcentury modern architecture that has become synonymous with Palm Springs. The installation invites visitors to step inside the playful world of Barbie, which has been, in part, inspired by the distinctive architecture of the region. Since the launch of the first DreamHouse, the iconic playhouse has captured the evolution of architecture, design and interiors, encapsulating the spirit of various eras and illustrating how we relate to space. Now, Tolstrup brings these to vivid life for the London Design Festival. Each of these pavilions promises a unique, immersive experience, challenging perceptions and celebrating the enduring influence of these design icons. 

Zena Holloway is a bio-designer and material innovator and grows sustainable sculpture and fashion from grass root. She takes an intuitive leap into the future to imaging a material world that is grown, not made. She presents Column Light Collective as part of Material Matters, an annual art fair which brings together more than 50 world-leading brands, designers, makers and manufacturers to celebrate the importance of materials and their ability to shape our lives. Materials included in the works include aluminium, wood, seaweed, mud, plant root, waste, orange peel, paper, bio-plastic and collagen. The work showcases how a sustainable future can be driven forward by innovators in the design industry.

---

London Design Festival Runs from 14-22 September 2024: londondesignfestival.com

Words: Emma Jacob

---