Following on from "Modernes Japanisches Design" in Cologne - contemporary Korean Design in Berlin.
Organised by the Korean Trade Ministry and the Korean Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP), Korea Design is a touring showcase presenting projects from 15 Korean designers / design studios. Following its premier in London during the 2013 London Design Festival, Korea Design is currently showing in Berlin.
Amongst an entertaining collection of lighting, furniture, accessories and more conceptual projects, the stand out works for us were/are the Petrous Zipper Chair by IN R&D Center and the table 2nd Floor by artiZAC.
The latter simply because it is a delightful formed, intelligently constructed dining table - with an unobtrusive small drawer for storing all those small things one needs for dining; the former because of the enticing functionality.
Now we've not seen it in action, and the nature of Korea Design is not that one can actively test the objects on show, but.... Essentially a modern canvas camping chair the idea is that through the inbuilt zip you can alter the style of chair: with the zip open you have a wide, low back chair for slouching and relaxing, close the zip and the material tightens, the chair narrows and you have a more upright chair for, for example, eating. In effect two camping chairs in one. As we say, we've not seen it in action, but lovin' the idea.
Elsewhere we were very taken with the maize based "original green cup" from the ecojun company, the magnetic kitchen utensil system "Kitchen Icicle" by Quantumby Inc and the Peaked Hat Lighting Shade from YdesignY, a delightfully simply, aesthetic and familiar feeling approach to lamp shade construction - and perfect for all those moments when one is in need of a quick, uncomplicated, temporary light shade.
Although unquestionably a trade presentation aimed at helping Korean designers access foreign markets, as an exhibition Korea Design is accessible for all with an interest in contemporary product design - and is unquestionably currently one of the better exhibitions to be found around Berlin's Potsdamer Platz.
Korea Design can be viewed at the Koreanisches Kulturzentrum, Leipziger Platz 3, 10117 Berlin until Thursday February 6th 2014.
Full details can be found at: www.kulturkorea.org
