Vienna Design Week 2009

VIENNA DESIGN WEEK 2009 presents installations and products by international designers in Austria for the first time

Including Arik Levy with Swarovski Crystal Palace and new products by Michael Young alongside numerous other highlights from October 1st to 11th in Vienna

The VIENNA DESIGN WEEK (October 1-11, 2009) is an annual eleven-day design festival in October showcasing a whole range of product, furniture, industrial, graphic and experimental design events in collaboration with local partners and institutions as well as upcoming international designers.

Arik Levy at Liechtenstein Museum and at Sotheby’s

Tel Aviv-born designer Arik Levy, who currently resides in Paris, will arrange the installation “Chaton Superstructures” (Oct. 1^st - 11^th) comprising of huge 3D sculptures, in front of the Liechtenstein Museum (Fürstengasse 1, 1090 Vienna). This piece explores the relationship between architecture, space and object. His second project, “TableScape Jewellery”, will be shown at Sotheby’s (Herrengasse 5, 1010 Vienna) from October 1^st to 11^th. Here, marble objects and wire structures deal with the relation between opaqueness and transparency.

Both installations were developed for Swarovski Crystal Palace, and will be displayed in Austria for the first time. They toy with the structure of the crystal cut that is typical of Swarovski. Nadja Swarovski, Vice President International Communications, Swarovski, illustrates why Levy’s design reflects the objective of the Crystal Palace projects so well: “Arik has added a new dimension to Swarovski by using crystal as a sculptural ingredient and by highlighting both the notion and concept of crystal. He skillfully explores the connotation of this unique medium by experimenting with interactive shapes, techniques and materials. Arik’s interpretation of crystal creatively reflects Swarovski’s constant aspiration to go beyond that of the imagination.”

Michael Young with „Works in China“ at designfunktion

Some of Michael Young’s products that will be shown at “designfunktion” (Bauernmarkt 12, 1010 Wien) from
October 1^st - 11^th, have a very special link to VIENNA DESIGN WEEK’s approach: „Zipte Link“ is not only an intelligent hightech product, but as an artful installation also represents the connection of modern design and technical abilities of the local industry, in this case Chinese. Vienna is the first stop outside of Asia, where Michael Young’s design pieces will be displayed.

Special categories broaden programme spectrum

Economy, education and graphic design broaden this year’s spectrum of the VIENNA DESIGN WEEK programme. Events on design for senior citizens offer astonishing insights into the constantly changing challenges that designers have to face. In addition, popular classics such as the PASSIONSWEGE, VIENNA DESIGN WEEK’s centrepiece, as well as the communication of design to children, and a curated movie programme, are again part of the festival.

Festival website: www.viennadesignweek.at

Press Information: www.viennadesignweek.at/press