I’d heard of Maggie’s before I met Max, but it was his passion for the way that they use design to make people’s lives better that really got me hooked. Last year he created an event called Joy of Living, named for something Maggie Keswick Jencks once said: “It is important not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying.” This year he’s asked designers to create one-off products inspired by ‘the joy of living’ that will be sold at designjunction in aid of Maggie’s. I’m not sure how (I suspect Max is London’s busiest man at the moment!), but somehow he found time to talk to me about the project.
Max, we’ve talked many times about how awesome Maggie’s are, but in one sentence, why do you support them?
Maggie’s create a support structure for cancer patients and their families that places mental wellbeing and humanity at the core, employing carefully considered architecture and design to instill people with hope.
How on earth do you still find time for this sort of thing now you’re involved with LDF as well as your own projects?
Well, truthfully, I don’t really find the time! Since I started working on the London Design Festival, my attention has been entirely focussed on that. Thankfully, JOY OF LIVING: Part Two has been able to happen with the generous support of the designjunction team who are hosting the exhibition, as well as Maggie’s team and designer Anthony Dickens who has generously designed the exhibition. They should take all the credit for making it happen this time round!
Tell me a bit about how the idea Joy of Living Part 2 at designjunction came about.
designjunction organiser, Deborah Spencer, expressed interest in supporting Maggie’s at this year’s show, so she spoke to me about it and we formulated the idea that designers would customise a piece of domestic design for an auction and selling exhibition at designjunction during the London Design Festival. The designers have responded to the title – JOY OF LIVING – when customising their one-off pieces. All money raised will go to Maggie’s.
What’s been the best part and the hardest part about getting it off the ground?
The best part is the seeing the incredible generosity of time from all involved. Sadly, cancer touches all of our lives in one way or another, so the cause has struck home for many. Also, Maggie’s dedication to strong design and architecture makes it a clear match for the design industry.
The hardest part of getting it off the ground has been my lack of availability to work through the details. I’ve really delegated this responsibility to a great team of people and I have full faith that this event will come off to best effect.
Besides raising funds, what do you hope it will achieve?
Beyond the finance for Maggie’s, the exhibition will continue to raise awareness of the charity to the design industry. I’ve always said to Maggie’s that they should be THE charity of the design industry and I hope I can use my influence to make that happen, bit by bit.
What’s your favourite product that’s been donated so far, and which do you think will fetch the most at auction? [Five items will be auctioned off to the highest bidder on the opening night – the rest are for sale at a fixed price throughout the exhibition.]
I love the look of the Rainbow Net Chair by Sam Johnson. The wire frame seat has been powder-coated in different bright rainbow colours – a very joyous response to the brief. As for the auction, I genuinely have no idea which will raise most money!
Why should people buy one of these products?
Every product featured in the exhibition is a one-off and has been donated by leading UK designers, including Terence Conran, Barber Osgerby, Tord Boontje and Tomoko Azumi. It is very rare to be able to buy such pieces and they will surely accumulate value over the years. Beyond that, every penny goes to Maggie’s, helping them to sustain and build more of their crucial centres across the UK.
Why did you choose to partner with designjunction to make this happen?
With charity projects, people are donating their time. They must be passionate about the cause for it to work properly – designjunction demonstrated that passion, for which I am very grateful.
What are you most looking forward to about the auction itself?
Seeing the bidding prices mounting rapidly, knowing that every penny goes to Maggie’s. Oh, and smiles on faces.
The action is at designjunction this evening, and the sale continues throughout the exhibition. There will also be a ‘pop-up Maggie’s’ where you can find out more about the charity.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- maggie’s :: gartnavel
- creative spaces :: maggie’s
- creative spaces :: designjunction
- interview :: canteen / vg&p
Images from top: Brodie Neill’s Clover light customised in yellow, MARK furniture Net Chair customised with rainbow stripes by Sam Johnson, Brogue table customised in green by Bethan Gray, A Bucket Full of Hope from Hive, Voon Wong + Benson Saw Ribbon Coatstand customised in shocking pink.
Declaration of Interest: I am very privileged to work part time as a writer for Maggie’s, an incredible charity who provide emotional, practical and social support for people with cancer and their families and friends from stunning buildings set within the grounds of specialist cancer hospitals. These are my opinions; not those of Maggie’s.
