This coming Sunday sees the awarding of the 2010 Designpreis Halle.
We know.
Designpreis.
Halle.
And no its not for the most passé tag scrawled with an Edding on the side of a deserted tenement.
For despite all stereotypes and preconceptions about "Chemie Halle", scratch below the centuries of industrial pollution on the buildings you will find some true talent on the Saale.
One reason is Burg Giebichenstein, an art and design college that regularly produces high quality graduates.
In an attempt to both help the graduates establish themselves professionally as well as to try to ensure they remain in the region, Burg Giebichenstein has recently opened the Design Haus Halle. Evolved from the Transfer Centre the Design Haus is akin to a "traditional" business start up centre and provides atelier and office space for creative types of all genres.
At the opening of the Design Haus Halle in April, (smow)blog spoke to the Director Doris Sossenheimer about the house and its aims.
(smow)blog: What are the principle functions of the Design Haus Halle?
Doris Sossenheimer: We offer assistance such as career service, mediation of projects or specialist training. The majority of "creatives" work freelance and so it is important that we support them in the early stages. In addition we offer events that aim to carry an understanding of "design" to both the wider public and industry. Sachsen Anhalt as a region is dependent to a great extent on capital goods and less so on consumer goods and in particular the intellectual good "design" is not as popular as , for example, in Baden Württemburg, Bayern or Nordrheinwestfalen. We hope to change that. (smow)blog: Now that the Design Haus Halle is open, what is for you the first priority?
Doris Sossenheimer: First of all we need a little bit normality [Laughs] We are developing an events programme and where we also need to place an emphasis is on the development of an industry focused further training programme. In addition we are organising general events about design, what is design, how do I deal with designers or how can I explain to designers what I want?
(smow)blog: Are there already plans for an extension of the field of activity of the Design Haus?
Doris Sossenheimer: No. At the moment we are at the very beginning and are focusing on successfully fulfilling our goals.
(smow)blog: One goal of Design Haus Halle is to establish Halle as a "Design Centre", are you confident you can achieve that?
Doris Sossenheimer: Halle is already a Design Centre! In Halle we already have several design companies who regularly work for large firms. The Design Haus is an important institution in both strengthening Halle's role in addition to providing a focal point for the creative industries.
(smow)blog: Is the Design Haus Halle fully rented or is there still space available?
Doris Sossenheimer: We are always open for applications and requests.
