Behind the biennale

London Design Biennale 2016 – As the London Design Biennale opened for the first time, LS:N Global headed over to chat with its director Christopher Turner and some of the participating curators.

• The event is modelled on Venice’s renowned art and architecture biennales, which offer an immersive experience curated by contributing countries
• The 37 participating nations have responded to the theme of Utopia by Design with works that tackle universal issues rather than focusing on design processes

All of the designers are ‘looking at ways in which design might contribute in some small way to making the world a better place’, Turner tells LS:N Global. ‘This is looking at design as engaging with some fundamental issues of humanity – big issues, big themes.’

Turner explains that the issues are approached in a playful manner, with installations such as Beirut’s streetscape immersing visitors into city life by offering them a wet shave and a taste of pomegranate juice.

While at the biennale, LS:N Global caught up with Rain Wu, co-curator of Taiwan’s Eatopia, Annabel Karim Kassar, curator of Mezzing in Lebanon, and Giorgio Camuffo, co-curator of Italy’s White Flag, who delve into the thought processes behind their respective countries’ work.