Biennale INTERIEUR 2012
20 – 28 October Kortrijk, Belgium
Interieur took place for the first time in 1968 and will celebrate its 23th Biennale from 20 to 28 October 2012. Unlike other furniture shows, which offered a mixture of old, new, kitsch and design, when the Interieur Foundation was born, it was aimed at promoting the latest contemporary forms and creativity in interior design. Moreover, the initiators had much more in mind than pure aesthetics or commercial considerations.
The uniqueness of the concept and the increase in international outreach, turnover, number of visitors, number of exhibitors and world-renowned design brands, press articles etc., show that there was a true need for an innovative model for design as a cultural as well as a commercial entity, and which is why, in 2012, the Interieur is stronger than ever.
The Biennale Interieur, coming up in Kortrijk, Belgium from the 20th to the 28th of October, is now in its 23rd edition. Recognised as the only event of its kind to balance a convivial cultural happening with the biggest names in European design, Interieur has become an important overview of trends, tastes and cultural movements that define design now. Interieur 2012 will be bigger and better than ever with new city locations and an extensive programme with an exciting mix of culture and commerce.
This year will bring change and at the same time reinforce its connections with the avant-garde spirit of its creative roots. This year the Biennale breaks through the walls of the Xpo fairground and expands into the city centre of Kortrijk, offering a selection of 300 carefully picked international exhibitors and an inspired cultural programme with exhibitions, ‘Future Primitives’ installations, custom-designed bars and a pop-up restaurant to name a few. The halls of the Xpo fairground as well as the new city locations will merge into one DesignCity with a continuum of lanes, diagonals, piazzas and unexpected places where installations, actions and encounters unfold. As curator Lowie Vermeersch explains: “A Biennale in the city, a city in the Biennale”.
Future Primitives project rooms
With a fresh curatorial direction, instead of having one guest of honour, Interieur now has seven specially commissioned Future Primitives project rooms by the following ground-breaking designers, artists and architects: Nendo, Troika, Makkink & Bey, David Bowen, Ross Lovegrove, Greg Lynn and Muller Van Severen. These design installations are linked by the theme ‘Future Primitives’ and will offer different investigations of which essential elements will play a role in our future living environment. The 60 m2 installations will be placed at piazzas created at various locations within the Biennale and together they function as places for inspiration and confrontation, for meeting people, to eat and drink.
New locations
This year Interieur will break through the walls of the Xpo fairground and be present on the Buda Island, the cultural heart of the city of Kortrijk. On the Buda Island the main focus will be on the Buda Tower and the newly remodelled Buda Factory. The Buda Tower will house pop-up presentations by top brands such as Established and Sons, Hay and Piet Hein Eek and an exhibition by Alessi called (UN)forbidden City.
Ventura Interieur
Interieur is also proud to be present Ventura Interieur. This is a partnership with Organisation in Design, the team behind the successful Ventura Lambrate design district in Milan, which is dedicated to emerging talent, interesting design happenings and events during the annual Salone furniture fair. Interieur and Ventura Interieur at Interieur 2012 will be an international platform that showcases a selection of young designers, new brands, academies and institutions.
See more Ventura Projects.
Date:
Oct 20, 2012 – Oct 28, 2012
Address:
Kortrijk Xpo
Kortrijk
Belgium
More Information:
http://www.interieur.be/
