LISBON DESIGN WEEK is taking place from 22nd to 26th May 2024. Lisbon will be the spot in more than 80 venues across different neighbourhoods for five days. It will welcome their doors for exhibitions, talks, and launches of new pieces and products.
LISBON DESIGN WEEK is an annual event focusing on contemporary design and craftsmanship. It also celebrates the talent of the local creative community. The event features an eclectic program revolving around new collections, talks, exclusive presentations, and more. Created in 2023, LISBON DESIGN WEEK promotes the quality of design, art, and crafts in Portugal, and more specifically Lisbon. In 2023, together with Julie de Halleux, Michèle Fajtmann decided to create a week dedicated to Design in Lisbon, similar to other European cities.
Michèle Fajtmann is well-connected in the art scene and is particularly interested in the importance of public spaces at the heart of urban communities and the use of art and culture for networking. Born in Belgium, she has lived in different cities such as New Yorker, Warsaw, Londo, and Lisbon. This year, the event’s founder and director has put together a Board of Advisors, combining national and international talents and personalities from Lisbon society, contributing to the sustainable growth of LISBON DESIGN WEEK.
Mission & Vision
Lisbon is Creative is this year’s claim of LISBON DESIGN WEEK which aspires to put a spotlight on Lisbon as an international epicenter for contemporary Portuguese design and craftsmanship. LISBON DESIGN WEEK plans to captivate not only residents but also visitors and promote the city as a creative and innovative center. Lisbon is Culture is the mission of the design week, aiming to create a unifying event that supports the cultural scene, reveals new local and emerging creative talent, and boosts the city’s drive and economy.
Program
During the five days of the LISBON DESIGN WEEK, visitors will be wandering around the 80 venues. Creative studios, shops, galleries, schools, architecture, and interior design studios will take part in this edition to showcase their work and ignite discussion between the different enthusiasts.
For this year’s edition, everyone was challenged to highlight Portuguese design pieces and materials of Portuguese origins and establish unique collaborations involving artists, designers, and brands. Each participant therefore is working on specific events such as unique collaborations for LDW, new solo and collective exhibitions, workshops, evening events, new showroom openings, and more.
The events will take place in various parts of Lisbon grouped as follows: Estrela, Lapa & Santos; Infante Santo & Alcântara; Campo de Ourique & Rato; Príncipe Real; Chiado & Bairro Alto; Alfama, Graça & Anjos; Saldanha & Arroios; Avenida da Liberdade; and Belém.
Highlights
De La Espada exhibition at OJO Gallery
Portuguese furniture brand De La Espada will be exhibiting at OJO Gallery, a space dedicated to contemporary art using ancient techniques. A new cabinet system by Atelier De La Espada fusing the skills of artists and artisans from various fields will be presented in a dialogue with a selection of artworks in different media.
Wesley Sacardi installation at Novobanco Gallery
Novobanco’s gallery houses one of the most important institutional collections of contemporary photography. It will also exhibit an installation from Wesley Sacardi’s “Bigorna Fases” series, a work that explores the creative freedom of using different types and states of raw material while following the same original design. Wesley Sacardi reuses discarded materials to produce unique pieces with a history. A photography exhibition by Andres Serrano will be shown at the same time.
‘Bucólica’, the collection created by Oficina Marques with Andringa Studio
Creative duo Gezo Marques and José Aparício Gonçalves are launching a new collection of decorative and utilitarian ceramic pieces for dining tables. The concept for this collection was born out of a dialogue between Oficina Marques and Andringa Studio, run by interior designer Rita Andringa. The gallery will be transformed into a sensory experience highlighting the intersection between product design and environmental design, providing visitors with a unique, immersive experience. The collection explores the idea of bucolic beauty in the realm of nature in all its essence, as in William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
Participants
LISBON DESIGN WEEK promises to be a diverse and vibrant event. It will feature a variety of participants exhibiting their creative ideas and endeavours. Visitors can explore the innovative works of Barros & Bernard, Cecile M*, and Galeria Reverso, among others. From established names in the industry such as Antoine Proulx to emerging talents, the event promises something to experience for every curious soul.
Photo credits: Armando Jorge Mota Ribeiro
