News about design in China
After dominating the scenery of Victoria Harbour just over a week ago, Hong Kong’s resident yellow rubber duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman - which originally made its debut in 2007 by travelling around the world - took a turn for the worst as it completely deflated overnight. Measuring just under six storeys, the inflatable sculpture was planned to be on display until early June 2013. Continue reading.
“A rapidly developing area along the Yangtze River called for a community center for…the burgeoning city of Yangzhou, China. The structure [makes use of a] streamlined form and a rich architectonic palette to balance the likes of the nearby 2500-year old Beijing-Hangzhou grand canal and the sleek glass office blocks. Zhang Lei of Chinese firm AZL Architects used the cluster of three buildings to assert a statement about the potential for architecture to unify a shifting landscape”. Via designboom.
This year’s CAFA graduate exhibitions are currently underway. Taking place throughout the school campus, from now until the end of May 2013.
Wang Sijia is an illustrator based in Beijing. EightSix caught up with the artist to ask him some questions about practicing as an illustrator in China.
Beijing-based furniture designer Li Naihan is concocting some interesting, new collaborative works. Here are some fun snapshots from the designer herself.
Beijing-based NLGX have just sent in these images of their newly-renovated store. The brand also released new tee designs last month, including a much needed ‘I ♥ Beijing’ set. More images under the cut.
“The shocking pink and blue velour drapes that bifurcate Arrow Factory’s front window are the daytime manifestations of Zhuang Hui’s new work ‘No Title’. Each day at dusk strobe lighting behind the curtains comes to life, transforming these static colours into a mysterious yet silent disco lightshow, causing fleeting shadows to dance sporadically upon the windows. An experiment in pure visual abstraction, ‘No Title’ distills the colours and materials of vernacular culture to tap into a reaction that is purely physical and visceral”. Continue reading.
Beijing Design Week 2013 opened their call for applications this week. Completed materials are due 10 June 2013. Find out more.
Shanghai-based Neri&Hu, whom we interviewed for Icon magazine last month, have been incredibly busy of late with new architectural projects and product launches, including a recent renovation of a 1930s townhouse in Shanghai and a new range of wooden furniture for De La Espada in New York.
Born and raised in the US, David Hu (Hu Yuwen) has lived and worked in Shanghai, Beijing, Taiwan and New York City. With degrees in both mechanical engineering and industrial design, David brings together strategic design, technical expertise and highly conceptual work to every project he undertakes, including those for multinational corporations such as Johnson & Johnson, Unilever and Diageo. EightSix recently caught up with the industrial designer to talk about his life, his influences and “Chinese design”.
