Iceland Design March was launched in 2009 when the country was in the throes of an economic recession.
Iceland Design March was launched in 2009 when the country was in the throes of an economic recession. The nation established the Iceland Design Centre and the festival to promote well-thought-out design and architecture as a vital aspect to its social and cultural development, and economic success en route to its recovery.
If an economic crisis couldn’t stop the Icelanders then, neither could a cold snap and incessant rain dampen the lively buzz at Design March’s ninth edition. It was the biggest yet, with over 100 design events and exhibitions covering every aspect, from fashion and food to architecture and graphic design across the capital city of Reykjavik.
Dominating conversations was this year’s theme of “Brut Nature”, with exchanges on how humanity can play its part in creating and consuming sustainable design. Making their debut were Design Diplomacy talks at embassies such as those of the US and France, where industry experts shared thoughts on topics ranging from urban to product design.
From an evocative exhibition on textiles and ceramics, by the Icelandic Textile Guild and Finnish ceramist Laura Pehkonen, in an arts venue overlooking the broodingly breathtaking Faxa Bay, to a curation of works by designers from eight countries along the Baltic Sea and various product lines that traverse geographical boundaries and art disciplines, Home & Decor susses out the sustainable yet trendy ways you can make your home look so much more with less.
