Konstantin Grcic: Panorama

Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) and Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) (Lee Wai Lee) present “Konstantin Grcic: Panorama” at HKDI Gallery. In collaboration with the Vitra Design Museum (Germany) and Z33 Hasselt (Belgium), this Asian debut is the largest show of the German industrial designer’s work to date. This meticulously curated exhibition illustrates how the designer’s perception of the world shapes new objects, and how these objects in turn inspire new view of the world. It unites the big picture with the daily work of the designer where he intelligently fuses a personal narrative with scientific research and thinking about the future.

Konstantin Grcic is considered one of the most influential designers of our time, notably for his talent to develop solutions and designs that involve radical aesthetics, materials, and technologies – design concepts that break free from conventional blueprints where his own distinctive stylistic idiom is being portrayed in reality. His works are inherently avant-garde and forward looking, uniting industrial aesthetics with experimental and artistic elements to create objects that are serious and functional, sometimes even humorous and provocative; for example, “Chair_One” (2004) and the “Mayday lamp” (1999) are design classics which will be on show at the exhibition at HKDI.

“Konstantin Grcic: Panorama” is divided into four sections that render Grcic’s personal vision for life in the future: a home interior “Life Space”, a design studio “Work Space”, an urban environment “Public Space” and finally, the “Object Space”. The first three spaces demonstrate how Grcic situates his work in the present day, while also shedding light on questions that occupy him and revealing how he envisions the future of design. In the fourth space, visitors see objects, prototypes and drawings by Grcic, which have been supplemented by pieces from other designers, everyday items and found objects that have enthused him. These objects provide valuable insight into Grcic’s sources of inspiration, making the connections between individual projects visible and illuminating the evolutionary development of each new product. Viewers are encouraged to view this exhibition with the question in mind: “What will our future look like?”

Additionally, a highlight installation – “Jungle_One” – designed by Konstantin Grcic and supported by Magis, a Main Partner of the exhibition, will be on display at Design Boulevard, HKDI, from now until 2 April 2017. Here, you will also find eight “Chair_One” outdoor chairs for your enjoyment.