Based on the theme “Better By Design”, this year’s Singapore Design Week challenges preconceived notions of the possibilities and impact that design can generate, and creates conversation on how design can address the issues we face today, through works by homegrown designers set up across the design districts at Bras Basah.Bugis, Marina Bay and Orchard. Here are the four main events you can still make it to.
School of Tomorrow
Designed based on the motto “For Earth, For Humans, For All”, this school-themed exhibition is curated by Pann Lim of the creative agency Kinetic Singapore, and discusses today’s environmental issues through a traditional school structure. Biology class explores the impact of plastic pollution on humans and wildlife; home economics class instructs visitors on naturally sourced materials that could replace the synthetics we rely on; recess is a showcase of alternative sources of nutrients that humans may need to add to their diets before long; and even the sick bay is a particularly poignant reminder of the worrying state of the world: recuperating and trying to sweat off a fever in the cot is a globe.
Until 1 October, at Selegie Arts Centre (Bras Basah.Bugis Design District)
FI&LD
Curated by Ong-Ker Shing and Joshua Comaroff of Lekker Architects, FI&LD challenges the limitations that rules in sports impose, and explores inclusive design expressed through emotions, fun, the senses, care, and social life and interaction. The experiential showcase is laid out like a playground with various stations, except the rules of the games are continually modified depending on the diversity of the participants and there are no winners and losers in the conventional sense. Some core principles of the exhibit are that anything the body can do is sport, and if anyone can’t play or play well, the game must be changed.
Until 1 October, at LASALLE College of the Arts (Bras Basah.Bugis Design District)
Playground of Possibilities
Curated by Jackson Tan of the creative agency Black, this commissioned exhibition brings together 12 design projects from Singapore that turn problems into opportunities. Divided among four landscapes—Explore, Empathise, Imagine and Adapt—the experiential installations explore ambiently cooled building facades, housing towns conceived to support people with dementia, touch-responsive ceramic tableware, and more.
Until 31 December, at National Design Centre (Bras Basah.Bugis Design District)
Future Impact: Homecoming Showcase
After being exhibited at Milan Design Week this April, the works of six designers of Singapore—Forest & Whale, Gabriel Tan, Nathan Yong, Studio Juju, Tiffany Loy and Viewport Studio—will be on display at the National Design Centre. Curated by Tony Chambers and Maria Cristina Didero, the presentation underscores on the need for sustainability in the design and production of furniture and decor objects, the evolution of craft, how technology augments design, and more.
Until 31 December, at National Design Centre (Bras Basah.Bugis Design District)