"Design Week has two objectives: to celebrate design and present cultural delicacies through spectacular events, as well as to explore the economic potentials of design," head of Design Terminal Nonprofit Mihály Pohárnok said. He added that Design Week organisers wanted to convince people that designer objects are not only attractive and valuable but also have the potential to generate big profits.
The motto for this year's Design Week, the sixth, is "creative energies" and so it focuses on artists' creativity, knowledge-based objects, services and technologies, curator of the event Mária Rita Halasi said. Despite featuring a number of foreign guests and travelling exhibitions, the programme series gives priority to the work of Hungarian designers, she added.
In an effort to make the Hungarian public more conscious of Hungarian designers' work, several studios will open their doors to the public during Design Week. Under the Open Studios initiative, 16 Hungarian design workshops will offer access to visitors and present their activities, including the creative process and the technology they use.
As an official part of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009, another highlighted programme within Design Week is an exhibition entitled In Competition, which shows Hungarian design objects that have gained international success. Pohárnok said that this exhibition proves that Hungarian designers' work competes well internationally.
The Hungarian Design award will be granted as part of the event, and an exhibition of work by award-winners over the past 30 years will be shown.
Winners of the Index Award, an important Danish design prize, will be on display in the city centre, and a show called Swiss Design in Hollywood will profile the achievements of Swiss designers working in Hollywood film studios, including those responsible for images in Alien, The Lord of the Rings, Hellboy and Ratatouille.
Design Week 2009 also places emphasis on Finnish design. One of Finland's most renowned designers, Harri Koskinen will be a special guest.
Visitors can be introduced to Turkish design at a programme entitled Turkish Tasting. In addition to the design, visitors can sample culinary specialties.
Design Week also includes children's events, creative workshops and fairs.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
