APRIL DESIGN DIARY
It’s shaping up to be an exciting month in the Design World, and we’re here to keep you up to date with the latest trends and concepts with our April Design Diary. From major exhibitions by design icons to insightful talks, there’s something to captivate and inspire design enthusiasts across every discipline. Get ready to discover the latest and greatest in design innovation, here are our top picks of events and exhibitions this April.
AI WEIWEI: MAKING SENSE
DESIGN MUSEUM, 7 APRIL – 30 JULY
The much-anticipated exhibition by Ai Weiwei, one today’s most prominent artists, opens this month at the Design Museum. The first design-focused exhibition by the artist combines recent works and commissions, inviting us to reflect on value and humanity, art and activism. By delving into material culture and drawing on Ai’s fascination with historical Chinese artefacts, the exhibition examines the conflicting aspects of past and present, hand and machine, precious and worthless, and construction and deconstruction.
ANDY WARHOL: THE TEXTILES
FASHION + TEXTILE MUSEUM, 31 MARCH – 10 SEPTEMBER
Despite being a prominent part of his career, the textile designs by influential pop artist Andy Warhol are largely unknown and unrecorded. Dating back to his formative years as a commercial designer and illustrator during the 50s and 60s, Warhol’s textiles have now become an integral part of his artistic legacy. These designs enhanced his artistic prowess, which at the time was largely focused on fulfilling the requirements and timelines of his clients, leaving little room for fantasy and vision. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to see these pieces for yourself at the Fashion + Textile Museum from 31 March.
RAMADAN PAVILION
V&A, 29 MARCH – 1 MAY
Designed by Shahed Saleem, the 2023 Ramadan Pavilion is based upon an abstracted mosque, drawing inspiration from the Prints and Drawings collection at the V&A to represent the history of the mosque and Muslims in Britain. This architectural structure and showpiece of creative art and design will host a series of public events and two Open Iftars to mark the annual Ramadan Festival, curated by Ramadan Tent Project.
HOMEGROWN: BUILDING A POST-CARBON FUTURE
BUILDING CENTRE, UNTIL 15 APRIL
The exhibition ‘Homegrown: Building a Post-carbon Future’ argues that to address the current social and environmental crises, we must adopt a fresh approach towards building which prioritises geography, ecology, people and place. Developed in partnership with Material Cultures, the exhibition prompts us to reflect on how we can re-evaluate our relationship with the built environment by taking a comprehensive approach to the surroundings and materials we use.
KUMIHIMO: JAPANESE SILK BRAIDING BY DOMYO
JAPAN HOUSE LONDON, UNTIL 11 JUNE
Experience the past, present and potential futures of kumihimo, an intricate, decorative braided cord from Japan, through the first major exhibition of its kind in the UK.
The exhibition brings the rich history of Japanese silk braiding to life by featuring floor-to-ceiling installations, captivating videos, displays of tools and equipment, and over 50 diverse examples of the braids themselves, presented throughout the gallery in a manner which brings out the vibrant patterns, colours and exceptional craft of these magnificent pieces.
BLOOMBERG DESIGN + MAKE
BLOOMBERG LP, 25 APRIL
Bloomberg are bringing together some of the world’s most creative minds to discuss how their industries are responding to the current changes in the world, exploring the challenges they face and what opportunities may arise. Figures at the forefront of design, manufacturing and entertainment will speak out on the innovative solutions they are finding to make the world better, smarter and more sustainable. You can attend this event in person at 3 Queen Victoria Street, London, or register to attend online.
STYLED BY DESIGN, GRAY M.C.A
CROMWELL PLACE, 18 – 30 APRIL
In this remarkable exhibition of framed 20th Century Modernist Textiles, experience a collection of rare and limited edition works by iconic artists Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Elizabeth Frink, Patrick Heron and more. The showcase aims to shed light on the Modernist view that ‘a good textile was the equal of a good painting’, celebrating the history and potential of this diverse and technical medium.
MILAN DESIGN WEEK
17 – 23 APRIL
The world’s biggest annual design event returns in Milan this April with today’s most prominent brands presenting a host of showcases, exhibitions and talks to celebrate the international design scene, from furniture to fashion to VR. See a full guide of the programme of this year’s event below.
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