A continent of contemporary design
Making Africa
Shining a light on the state of contemporary African design, technology's role in the global design conversation, as well as the ways "design accompanies and fuels economic and political changes on the continent," the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein presents Making Africa: A Continent of Contemporary Design. This ambitious exhibition, which runs through September 2015, features the work of 120 African designers and artists across a variety of media, ranging from furniture by Gonçalo Mabunda of Mozambique and Cheick Diallo of Mali to eyewear sculptures by Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru, photography by Nigerian J.D. ’Okhai Ojeikere, and much, much more.
According to the museum: "When the 'African boom' comes up in the media, the reports tend to focus on the continent’s fast-paced economic growth or the rapidly expanding middle class— phenomena that will remain at the root of fundamental changes in coming decades. However, another development has already altered the everyday lives of all Africans and yields a significant influence upon the work of artists and designers. At present, there are already 650 million registered mobile phones in Africa, more than in Europe or the US. Many of these devices have access to the Internet and thus create a platform for communication and the exchange of information. This portal to the world has enabled the shift in perspective that lies at the centre of Making Africa. The exhibition focuses on a new generation of entrepreneurs, thinkers and designers from and within Africa, who—as 'digital natives'—address a global audience and provide the world with a new vantage point on their continent. They often work across several disciplines simultaneously and break with conventional definitions of design, art, photography, architecture and film."
Making Africa is on view now through September 13, 2015. The Vitra Design Museum is located at Charles-Eames-Straße 2, 79576 Weil am Rhein, Germany. For more information about visiting the museum, click here.
*All images courtesy of the Vitra Design Museum.
Designbegeisterte hier entlang
Naledi Beistelltisch mit Stickerei von Patricia Urquiola
Kalahari Schrank mit Vier Türen von Claesson Koivisto Rune
Kalahari Atlas Hocker von Claesson Koivisto Rune
Kalahari Tisch Round von Claesson Koivisto Rune
Pula Tisch von Luca Nichetto
Langer Sefefo Tisch von Patricia Urquiola für Mabeo
Sefefo Beistelltisch von Patricia Urquiola
Thuthu Tisch mit Bemalten Streifen von Patty Johnson für Mabeo
Kalahari Schreibtisch mit Sichtschutz von Claesson Koivisto Rune
Maun Windsor Stuhl in Farbe von Patty Johnson
Mittlerer Kalahari Kleiderschrank von Claesson Koivisto Rune
Sanka Behälter Groß von Garth Roberts
Saale Schreibtisch von Mabeo Studio
Sesana Tisch von Mabeo Studio
Supa Esszimmerstuhl von Mabeo Studio
Meradi Kleiderschrank von Garth Roberts
Sanka Ablage mit Einzelfach von Garth Roberts
Seri Kerzenständer für 1 Kerze von Garth Roberts
Seri Schale von Garth Roberts
Thusi Kammerdiener Klein von Studio Noi
Kota Tablett mit Lackiertem Rand von Garth Roberts
Tswana Klappstuhl von Patty Johnson
Kutu Log Bank von Claesson Koivisto Rune
Meradi Schrank mit Zwei Türen von Garth Roberts
Kleines Rothko Serviertablett von Claesson Koivisto Rune für Mabeo
Folete H Platform Kommode von Garth Roberts
Peo Bowl aus Panga Panga Holz von Patty Johnson für Mabeo
Thuthu Hocker mit gemalten Streifen von Patty Johnson
Large Rothko Serving Board by Claesson Koivisto Rune
Medium Rothko Serving Board by Claesson Koivisto Rune
Sefefo Color Series Hocker mit Lackiertem Rand von Patricia Urquiola für Mabeo
Nika Garderobenhaken mit Lackiertem Rand von Garth Roberts für Mabeo, 5er Set
Maun Windsor Side Chair in Matte Blue by Patty Johnson
Maun Windsor Beistellstuhl von Patty Johnson für Mabeo
Pula Bookshelf by Luca Nichetto für Mabeo
Maun Windsor Armlehnstuhl von Patty Johnson für Mabeo
Sefefo Color Series Esszimmertisch mit Lackiertem Rand von Patricia Urquiola für Mabeo
Sefefo Color Series Stool in Black and Green by Patricia Urquiola
Ipe Bank mit Lackiertem Rand von Luca Nichetto für Mabeo
Ipe Bench in Black by Luca Nichetto
Ipe Hocker mit Lackiertem Rand von Luca Nichetto für Mabeo
Ipe Stool in White by Luca Nichetto
Kika Hocker von Patricia Urquiola