With exhibitions, talks, films, tours and workshops across Melbourne’s metropolitan and Victoria’s regional centres, the wide-ranging program offers many experiences for design enthusiasts and locals alike. Such activities include the exhibition ‘HARD’ by Calum Hurley – a showcase of queer creatives from around Australia. Alongside is Monash Architecture, which presents ‘Design, Unbuild: Autumn Room’, a temporary installation at Collingwood Yards that uses the courtyard’s large Plane trees and presents them in varying states of autumn defoliation. Additionally, a collaboration between Tait, Agency and Numbulwar Numburindi Arts sees the Numbulwar pop-up studio, an exhibition in which Tait’s Tidal chair is reimagined with fishing nets that have washed up along the shores of the Numbulwar community.
To accompany the exhibitions, the design week also incorporates thought-provoking presentations that aim to highlight the diversity of Australian talent. Symphonic Skateboarding, a distinctive display designed by Kirby Clark, captures the uniqueness of skateboarding through an installation and creates music for the audience when skated over. Moreover, ‘The Silo Project’ is a site-responsive exhibition created by Josee Vesely and is housed in an old grain silo in Richmond. The exhibitions and presentations will be joined by showcases from local and international designers, including Coco Flip, Cult Design, Flack Studio, Mud Australia, Modern Times, pépite and many more. Being held throughout part of the week, and presented by NGV, is the Melbourne Design Fair, taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 18 – 21, with tickets currently on sale. There will also be the Melbourne Art Book Fair, which brings together publishers, artists and designers to showcase publications and ideas from around the world.