Creativity united

Basel – Design organisation Depot Basel is exploring the dynamics of the collaborative process with a new exhibition, The Collective Intention.

• The show features visual manifestos of nine contemporary collectives
• It coincides with Design Miami/ Basel and Art Basel fairs

The exhibition investigates the nature of collective work in the context of the increasingly multidisciplinary landscape of design. Co-curated by Matylda Krzykowski and Laura Pregger, it reveals the motivations behind the inception of nine contemporary collectives including Okay Studio, Yaay and Collective Disaster. ‘We wanted to show why they decided to work together in the first place,’ Krzykowski tells LS:N Global. ‘Most of them joined forces because they felt that with the request of criticality they want in the discipline, they are stronger as a collective than as individuals.’

The ethos of each studio is captured in graphic manifestos and accompanying critical texts that reflect the complex dynamics behind the functioning of each group. The Collective Intention also provides a wider context by presenting works of 19 historical collectives, including Studio Alchimia from Milan and Metabolism from Tokyo, and accompanying projects by Sebastian Zimmerhackl, Michal Szota, Theda Schoppe, Charlotte van de Velde and This Is Work.

The Big Picture: LS:N Global will be reporting live from Design Miami/ Basel, so keep an eye on our Seed and Shows sections.