I started my explorations of Superstudio just outside the first venue by climbing to the top of the Designblok Cube by Czech architecture practice H3T – and what a view! “We were inspired by, among other things, the Rubik’s Cube, the structure made of cubes in a cube, where individual parts can change positions. Visitors to our pavilion represent the mobile component,” said the designers.
Superstudio was in two parts – Superstudio Europe in the stunning Art Nouveau Grand Hotel Europe and Superstudio Hra (meaning ‘game’) in a former primary school, slated for development into workshops for the local University, and focused specifically on the festival’s overarching theme of childhood and play.
Originally known as The Grand Hotel Sroubeck and designed by architects Bedrich Bendelmayer and Alois Dryak, the Grand Hotel Europe has been closed for decades, so it was really exciting to see all the original features inside.
I loved the contract between the hand-blown glass and hand-crafted wood in these vessels by Semiramis.
Kavalier traditionally make glassware for laboratories – these stunningly simple pendants are their first foray into homewares.
More glassware, this time from Bomma: in June 2012, founder Jiri Trtik decided to build his factory, providing jobs for the skilled craftsmen and engineers suddenly left unemployed when Svetla’s local glass factory closed its doors after more than a century.
Over at Superstudio Hra, I loved this little clock by Polish design brand Poor…
…which cracks nuts as you wind it!
Julia Landsiedt’s installation Bygone Bonbons brought some of her more uncomfortable childhood memories to life through the medium of sweets!
Czech surface pattern design brand Lavmi were showcasing some of their geometrically-inspired products including tea-towels, notebooks and lampshades. And finally, embroidery and knitting supplier Rucni Prace created a colourful site-specific installation for the occasion.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- out and about :: 100{ff546b69e23b1524d799f96c6ba7a638e1f677053b0a2a1568b05315fd5f8fc7} norway, LDF14
- out and about :: home london, LDF14
- out and about :: tent london, LDF14
- out and about :: guide to the london design festival 2014
