Rethinking the interior design
Modern borders in their usual form are being erased more and more under the onslaught of technology. Realizing the full value of technology and innovation exchange, Tambov State University named after G.R. Derzhavin (TSU), Russia, and Birmingham City University, Great Britain, are implementing a joint project within the framework of the programErasmus+».The purpose of the project is to exchange experience, methods of teaching creative disciplines, as well as practical training of students.
From November 27 to December 1, 2017, the delegation of TSU visited Birmingham. Teachers of the Russian university took part in a symposium on the theme «Rethinking the interior design». The venue for the symposium was Vittoria Street Gallery, where a traveling exhibition of works was presented;modern designers. Among the exhibits were everyday household items, but in such an unusual form that their purpose had to be guessed. All these things were the result of the artists' rethinking of existing objects and the desire to fill them with new inner content.
The event brought together specialists in the field of jewelry, metalworking and ceramics, as well as representatives of the education system, leading the training of future jewelers. Rob anderson, Rosie Deegan, Kate Heywood and Abby Williams presented their current projects as the result of experiments with new materials and aesthetics that challenged the stereotypical thinking and perception of the consumer. So, Abby Williams demonstrated a collection of works made with the help of previously used objects and materials that have received a new life thanks to the processing by the designer.
The symposium ended with a performance by Nuala Clooney and Rachel Colley. Multidisciplinary artist-designer Nuala Clooneyconducted an experiment on the feelings and emotions of consumers. Cutlery and tableware were presented as exhibits. Household items were reoriented in a collection of unusual sculptures with a three-dimensional image of various parts of the human body:a glass in the shape of lips or a glass edged with casts of human teeth. The participants were invited to conduct a tasting of chocolate and drinks from unusual sculptures, which caused an ambiguous reaction of the participants.
Partner universities intend to further develop and expand academic ties, implement joint programs and projects.
Author: Tatiana Kozhevnikova
Photo by the author.
