DesignYatra 2009
Dutch design visited the Kyoorius Designyatra conference in Mumbai from September 4-7, where the Netherlands was partner country this year.
A multidisciplinary Dutch Design Delegation, led by BNO, was complemented by matchmaking sessions, Dutch speakers on architecture, advertising and visual communication, a presentation of the latest Dutch Design Awards, an intercultural workshop on Indian-Dutch cooperation in design processes, a special edition of Architecture + Design magazine edited by Ole Bouman, director of NAI, and Design Dialogues - Mumbai Edition: debates between key figures in Indian and Dutch design aimed at developing an agenda for further dialogue, research and collaborative projects in the coming years.
Design Dialogues – Mumbai Edition
Designyatra functioned as a platform for the start of a long-term dialogue and collaboration between the two design cultures. Urgent issues in Indian and Dutch society formed the starting point for the discussions, which at a later stage can develop into projects. The Design Dialogues were meant to help develop an agenda for future exchanges, collaboration and research in the field of architecture, and the areas of fashion and design.
Premiere Dutch Profiles
The opening day of Designyatra 2009 saw the premiere of the Dutch Profiles. This series of mini-documentaries about Dutch designers, architects and producers has been produced by Submarine and was commissioned by DutchDFA. Dutch Profiles focus on the conceptual, contextual and research-based design practices in the Netherlands. The series was launched with portraits by, among others, MVRDV, 2012 Architects, Jurgen Bey, Claudy Jongstra, Gerard Unger, Paul Mijksenaar, Philips, Carver, Marlies Dekkers, Alexander van Slobbe and G-Star. The films drew lots of attention among the Indian audience, which led to numerous request for DVDs. Visitors were pleasantly surprised to hear that all Dutch Profiles, which over time will turn into a series of 100 portraits, are generally available on-line.
Dutch Design Awards (DDA)
The Dutch Design Awards are given out annually to the best examples of Dutch design in all areas. The economic relevance forms in that respect an important factor. The awards generate national attention, but are also intended to raise curiosity in the international design world and among companies. The exhibition in Mumbai gave an overview of the 2008 winners in the disciplines of design, fashion and spatial design. In addition the presentation was aimed at further developing the relationship between Kyoorius Exchange and the DDA. All 2008 finalists of the DDA received an invite to come to Designyatra (at their own cost) and make their first moves in India. Several Dutch agencies (Lava, Edenspiekermann, npk and others) have in the meantime started alliances with Indian partners.
Intercultural Workshop Designyatra
Effective collaboration between Dutch and Indian designers is critical to how successfully Dutch design agencies can connect with the Indian market. The workshop highlighted commonalities and differences between designers in the two countries, both on a conceptual level as on the level of working practice. An insight in each other’s ways of working facilitates the future collaboration between Indian and Dutch designers. A video report of the workshop is in preparation.
Architecture + Design – The Netherlands
With a print run of over 57,000 copies Architecture + Design is one of the most well-read magazines in the field in India. The magazine invited NAi director Ole Bouman to be the guest editor in chief for an issue that focused specifically on Dutch design, fashion and architecture.
The issue offered articles that mainly focused on the portfolio of a specific agency but also outlined the historical context of Dutch architecture and made critical comments in relation to the most recent developments. Attention was also paid to Dutch design, including fashion. The magazine contained various interviews. The magazine was produced with support from DutchDFA. In addition to the NAi, contributions also came from Premsela, BNO and various Dutch authors.
- See some pictures here
You can read blogs on the complete Dutch activities in Mumbai here.
