Words by Adriana Hanna
Photography by various
Another Melbourne Design Week (MDW) has come to a close, and yet again I experienced that overwhelming feeling of needing to capture and experience as much as possible. With 400 events in this 10th design week iteration, I think we all need to take stock, calm the hell down, and process the things that are relevant to our practice.
MDW brought its A-game this year, and what really resonated with me was that designers were collectively challenging themselves to bring something unseen and reaching beyond the usual experience.
I was enamoured by the sheer abundance of talent in our community and particularly how each event was distinctly local. The camaraderie, support and generosity of this vibrant community was enriching. Every evening was energising, filled with long conversations, shared knowledge and mutual appreciation.
Here are the most memorable events and exhibitions of the week.
1. 100 Chairs by Friends and Associates
Friends and Associates, headed up by Dale Hardiman and Tom Skeehan, has been an enduring voice for both emerging and revered designers. Year after year they tirelessly back themselves and raise the bar. This year, in their 10th year of their creative partnership, Friends and Associates delivered 100 Chairs, MDW’s most remarkable and highly talked about exhibition to date. Located within Abbotsford Convent, the exhibition site was left raw with the installation of chairs presented in a gridded layout. It conjured images of Martino’s Gamper’s iconic exhibition, 100 Chairs In 100 Days.
100 Chairs‘ restraint, rigour and scale kept me engaged for longer than my short attention span typically allowed. In fact, I had to return a second time to completely absorb the eccentric variety of chairs. Too many to mention!
2. Table Manners by Object Massive and Streifen
Set inside homewares store Florian Home, Striefen created a Bauhaus-like scenography to display historical and contemporary pieces of cutlery, elegantly curated by Georgia Smedley of Object Massive.
Comprising one-off cutlery sets from 12 contemporary designers, I was drawn to this exhibition for its unique focus on a utilitarian object that we are most intimate with – especially how it can be translated and transformed into almost complete sculptural works. I may have nabbed a couple for myself … particularly memorable were the works by Ryan Mueller, Soie Lait and Studio Yeodong Yun.
3. Arum by Tom Fereday
Exploring luminosity across sand cast glass and onyx, each piece was elegantly refined and resolved. I’ve always had an appreciation for Tom Fereday’s purist approach, and these pieces had a strong emphasis on less is more.
4. Lost Hide by Emma Elizabeth
A wonderful preface for an exhibition utilising reclaimed hides with 12 different translations, the responses were diverse – some practical and some pure experimentations of texture and tactility. Each designer cleverly embraced the perfect imperfect nature of the material. Richards Stanisich’s Leather Lamella chair with its armadillo-like upholstery will stay with me.
5. Tactile Dialogues: Fragments of Matter by Ryan Fernandes and Made by Morgen
This exhibition explored material transformation and the relationship between materials and craft. We see the translation of Jessie French’s years of research and development of bioplastics realised as pieces of furniture and practical surfaces. We also begin to see the evolution of ceramicist Sarah Nedovic and her exploration of texture and form in creating some of her largest pieces to date. More here.
6. APART by Lost Profile Gallery
A highly memorable and immersive exhibition with an unlikely cast of designers mixing both vintage and contemporary pieces, this was one I wished I returned to. Most striking was Nicole Lawrence’s Dot Lamp bringing together three geometries – circle square and triangle, elegantly draped. It was perhaps one of my favourite pieces of the week. And, of course, Simone Top’s exploration of enamelled steel realised in vibrant colour.
7. A Sense of Occasion by Thomas Maxam
More than an object, the champagne bucket is a vessel for shared occasions and memories. Participants spanned a broad range of practices including glass makers, architects, industrial designers and artists. Having contributed to this exhibition myself, I found it to be a unique basis for an exhibition. Cleverly sponsored by Pol Roger via NHO, it was a memorable party with peers.
8. Ben Mazey by C Gallery
Refreshingly ungracious Ben’s playfulness brought a primitive clarity to a week of exhibition hopping.
Showcasing pieces from his Milan residency Ben has stretched his material capability beyond ceramics, venturing into bronze and blown glass. A cohesive and colourful iteration of works that continues to bring joy. More here.
9. Synthesis by Studio Shields
The immersive setting of Bishop’s Parlour at Abbotsford Convent by Ruby Shields was a lesson on layering. Working with 47 Australian makers and artists there was an intense warmth to the decorative resolution of the expansive collection of furniture, tapestry, ceramics, lighting and objects. It was as though you were transported into the most ornate living room, feeling more flamboyant and livelier than its previous life.
10. Conversations by Jon Goulder
Set inside Alpha60’s enchanting Chapter House, Jon exhibited a structural feat with his cross laminated 10 metre-long table in White Gum, created with Henry Williams. Jon also exhibited his new leather lighting and seating collection developed with Andrew Carvolth, the craftsmanship and transformation of materials deeply rooted in research and years of experimentation.
11. Muji Made by Marsha Golemac
Simplicity and elegant restraint – both in concept and in expert curation. The brief for this exhibition by Marsha Golemac asked participants to repurpose or reimagine Muji domestic products.
The responses varied, some with intense rigour and clarity – like Kim Bridgland’s chair and Andrew Walter’s resin coated duvet covers stacked into a side table. All were wonderfully complemented by the wit of OKO OLO’s totem ensemble, Olivia Bossy’s polishing cloth ravioli, and Charlie White’s shoe horn lamp.
12. Adam Cornish's Domestic Experiments at Oigall Projects
Adam’s practice experiments not only with material and graphics, but dynamic forms and ergonomics. What stood out for me was the juxtaposition of the curvy OOO Chair in felted wool, set against the geometric and structured Trellis and Diverge. It demonstrates a breadth of experience and knowledge across mediums and typologies.
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Adriana Hanna is principal and founder of Adriana Hanna Office, an architecture, interior design and curation practice based in Melbourne.
