The theme of the 2010 Designpreis Halle is and was "travel"
For us travelling to Halle has a special meaning as in a previous life we used to regularly travel to Halle, experience all sorts of perverse inhumane horrors and then travel back to Leipzig glad - once again - to have escaped from the banks of the Saale with our lives.
That was then.
But since then not only has our life changed but we now see and understand Halle in a completely different light.
Thanks largely to another tour; this one along the River Saale on a tourist boat.
But also due to the fact that our new life that has seen us travel away from destructive genius and onto creative talent.
A couple of years ago we would have laughed out loud at Designpreis Halle President Prof Dr Peter Heimann's opening speech
But not now. With Burg Giebichenstein Halle has one of the continually best design colleges in Germany, with the Design Haus Halle one of the most targeted attempts to keep young talent near their former college while supporting and helping them as they establish their careers.
And with the Designpreis Halle an international design prize that attracts entries from across the creative disciplines: We're not saying all finalists appeal to all tastes - but there is something for everyone.
166 entries from 13 nations were submitted for the Designpreis Halle 2010 from which the jury, including Nils Holger Moormann and Axel Kufus, selected 19 for the final exhibition. And just as importantly 4 prize winners.
Fifteen students from the Fachhochschule Dortmund were awarded a special award fro their Cardboard suitcase, and two of their number, Daniel Behn and Clemens Müller, were also awarded a Special Recognition for their RESI "The suitcase that ensures safe travelling for Germans abroad".
Second place was awarded to Utrecht based designer Erik De Nijs for his "Suited Case" concept. Resembling Polder Sofa by Hella Jongerius for Vitra, "Suited Case" is a range of suitcases that can double up as seating. We're fairly certain no airline could get the individual elements from A to B without damaging them; however, decisive was not the product but the concept. For all the attempt to bring a little privacy and domesticity to the stress of travel as well as the interaction between the different elements of a normal travellers luggage impressed the judges
First prize went to Eindhoven based designer Guy Königstein for his animated film "Die Rückreise" in which through his relatives memories he, literally, threads together the story of his family and as such also his own past.
For us a further entry that is more than worthy of a mention is Nomad's Wardrobe by Matthias Baumecker, a travel wardrobe concept we can well imagine combining with Vitra's Chairless chair concept.
Set in old tram wagons, under UV light in a historic tram depot, the Designpreis Halle exhibition is one of the more creative and imaginative exhibitions of recent time; and a convincing argument for the talent in Halle.
And as the next logical step Halle must ensure that Designers Open moves from Leipzig to Halle.
We remain unconvinced if on its own Halle really can establish itself as a creative center. For us such is only really possible in collaboration with Dessau/Roßlau/Bitterfeld/Wolfen; ignoring Bauhaus just seems wrong somehow.
Aside from the unnecessary competition created by having two design centres a short bike ride from one another. Or, as the Designpreis Halle 2010 competently shows; others forms of travel are available.
Full details on the finalists and the exhibition can be found at Designpreis Halle 2010.
