Side Gallery

Poème Brut was an exhibition that explored designers’ renewed interest in crafts, local techniques and materials. In recent years, focus has shifted to manufacturing processes and materiality as a counterpoint to dematerialization and globalization. Underpinning the exhibition was the outcome of the research into materials and techniques. Some designs use old, forgotten materials and new techniques or technology to process them, while others are the result of an old craft but created with a new material. 

The design museum of Ghent presented the exhibition “Van eyck’s colours in design”. The contemporary show was based on the flemish master Jan Van Eyck’s skilful use of color. The curators Siegrid Demyttenaere and Sofie Lachaert brought together a selection of flemish designers and international names, including Nendo, Sabine Marcelis, Muller van Severen and Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec among others. The exhibition was due to open in March but was delayed till post quarantine. The exhibition was thus extended to February 2021.

CASAVELLS is a unique almost hidden space in the Catalonian region of L’Empordà, set in an antique masía (farmhouse) from XVIII century that brings together a harmonic coexistence be- tween art, craft and design. Committed to innovation and tradition, the gallery collects, preserves, and promotes modern and contemporary art and design, whilst exploring ideas across cultures through dynamic curatorial initiatives and collaborations. Casavells 2020 combined a younger generation of designers born after 1980, exploring new techniques, materials and sensations of the design world. Alongside the display of cutting edge colorful organic forms, the 2020 edit dedicated a room to a collective exhibition of craft including works by contemporary basket makers from around the world, promoting and preserving ancient techniques, as well as experimenting with new and innovative weaves.

Turn me on…NOW was an exhibition presented by Side Gallery in Barcelona. The spring/summer show was dedicated to unveiling the diversity of contemporary lighting. Being the only design gallery in the city the exciting show brought together a selection of young artists and designers born after the year 1980 displaying a wide variety of material techniques and conceptual ideas. The group show boasted works by Sabine Marcelis, Guillermo Santomà, James Shaw and Martin Rusak among others.