Philippine designs featured in Helsinki

Philippine design participated in the signature event “Everyday Discoveries” held for the 2012 Helsinki World Design Capital celebrations in September 2012.

Every year he International Council of Societies of Industrial Design develops six WDC signature events in addition to the events implemented by the local organisers.

The International Design House Exhibition (IDHE), “Everyday Discoveries,” is a comprehensive presentation of international design ideas and concepts by 20 participating countries from all over the world.

The exhibition opened on September 5 and lasted for two weeks, drawing in a total of about 15,000 visitors.

The exhibition, which was held in Helsinki’s industrial Suvilahti District, featured a Core Exhibition built around a joint display in the main hall where all the participating countries came together under the different themes: “Icon,” “Innovation,”  “Imagination,” “Tradition Reinterpreted,”  “Invisible” and “Gathering.”

The original Spindle II Bamboo Arm Chair by Budji Layug was featured as the national design icon entry for the Core Exhibition while the Philippine “bayong” (a traditional woven bag) was showcased for the theme “Invisible” which highlights everyday objects made by unknown designers.

Also featured under the theme “Gathering,” which dealt with table settings and the communal table, were various types of Philippine Capiz dinnerware and a stool inspired by the banana trunk made from traditional t’nalak fabric.

The Litre of Light Project (sunlight-powered bulbs made from old plastic bottles),by Illac Diaz and the My Shelter Foundation were featured under the theme “Innovation” on design and projects related to the environment and making the world a better place.

In addition to the Core Exhibition, each participating country also staged a Satellite Exhibition built around the suggested themes of “Activism,” “Play,” “Story” and “Memory.”

Philippine participation in the IDHE is a testimony to the immense pool of design talent and the vibrant creative community which thrives in the Philippines.  Featured Philippine designers for exhibition included Daniel Latorre-Cruz, Stanley Ruiz, Jinggoy Buensuceso, Martha Cech, Wataru Sakuma and Olivia D’Aboville.

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