Design Diplomacy returns!
It’s not everyday that you are invited to visit an Ambassador’s house for a glass of wine. It’s even less common for there to be designers playing a game of cards, which is actually a talk event at the same time. Well, here’s your chance.
Design Diplomacy returns. For the fourth time at DesignMarch, local ambassadors are inviting designers from their home countries to pair with Icelandic creatives over a common theme. They will be opening the doors of their residences to host a series of intimate discussions in “living room” settings, offering you a unique opportunity to meet the designers and get inspired.
Design Diplomacy is powered by Helsinki Design Week, the concept owner. Question cards are used in a tailored game to power a design-centric discussion. With an unusual set of questions, the events are set to explore designers’ inspirations, daily routines and work processes.
Please not that this event requires registration and only registered guests will be admitted. Registration link for each even can be found below.
Ambassador Ann-Sofie Stude has invited Laura Pehkonen (FI) and Hanna Dís Whitehead (IS) to her residence Thursday 5th May from 12 PM to 2 PM.
Laura Pehkonen (FI) is a ceramic and visual artist based in Helsinki, Finland. At the heart of Pehkonen’s work is the creation of abstract unique works using and combining arts and crafts techniques. The main material of her work is ceramics, but she also works with wood and mixed media paintings. In recent years, Pehkonen has implemented several public ceramic murals of various sizes.
Hanna Dís Whitehead (IS) focuses on a hands-on approach, working in a very personal way, interweaving story, shape, materials and color.She works on the borders of art, design and craft often going between diverse materials within the same subject. Hanna is very interested in the dialog between objects and the viewer.
The residence is located on Hagamelur 4, 101 Reykjavík. Register HERE.
Ambassador, Aud Lise Norheim, has invited designers Elisabeth Stray Pedersen (NO) and Magnea Einarsdóttir (IS) to her residence Friday 6th May from 4PM to 6PM
Elisabeth Stray Pedersen (NO) has experience from Norwegian and international fashion- and textile industry. Her interest in sustainable products and local production was fundamental for choosing to take over a renowned production facility. In edition to developing the studio factory and original brand Lillunn that followed, she started the brand ESP in 2015 with the aim to target a younger costumer. In 2019 Stray Pedersen received the prestigious design award by Design and Architecture Norway (DogA), Jacobsprisen. The brand have been featured in Japanese Vogue, American Vogue, Monocle, Italian Vogue and DANSK Magazine amongst others. ESP aims to transcend trends and design locally produced high end clothes.
Magnea Einarsdóttir (IS) runs her namesake brand MAGNEA in Reykjavík. Innovative textiles, knitwear and beyond, are carefully designed by Magnea who is a Central Saint Martins graduate. The collections are built on the designers ideology of a fresh and sustainable take on knitwear, including locally made outerwear of 100% Icelandic wool, recently nominated for the 2021 Iceland Design Award.
The Norwegian Embassy in Iceland is located on Fjólugata 17, 101 Reykjavík. Register HERE.
Michelle Yerkin, Chargé d'Affaires, has invited designers Sallyann Corn (USA) and Theodóra Alfreðsdóttir (IS) to the embassy of the United States in Iceland, Friday 6th May from 4PM to 6PM
Sallyann Corn (US) is a Seattle-based designer, educator, curator and small business advocate. Since co-founding fruitsuper in 2008 Sallyann has ranged from designing everyday products, curating exhibitions, providing opportunities for small studios and opening 3 retail locations. She has a tireless passion for the independent creative community and has been a Managing Member of JOIN Design since 2009. Sallyann has lectured and taught on a variety of subjects ranging from Product Design to Wholesale Sourcing. You will often find her behind a teetering stack of books.
Theodóra Alfreðsdóttir (IS) is an Icelandic product designer based in London. She holds a bachelor’s degree in product design from the Iceland University of the Arts (2012) and a master’s degree in Design Products from the Royal College of Art in London (2015). Theodora’s work centers upon storytelling through objects. It revolves around the narrative an object can inhabit, and exploring ways of objectifying that narrative. She’s interested in the way an object can act as documentation of its manufacturing process; a record of what went on between the machine, tools, craftsman and material, as well as communicating its origin and former life. This approach often leads to the discovery of unexpected qualities, as well as giving the user a subtle opportunity to reconsider our material world and explore value in a different way.
U.S. Embassy in Iceland is located on Engjateigur 7, 105 Reykjavík. Register HERE.
Ambassador Kirsten Geelan has invited Kent Martinussen (DK) and Halla Helgadóttir (IS) to her residence and is hosting an afternoon of design centred conversations, Tuesday May 3rd from 4PM to 6PM.
Kent Marinussen (DK) is a Danish architect and the CEO of the Danish Architect Center. Martinussen has been running his own architectural practice, while lecturing and researching at universities and architecture academies both in Denmark and abroad. He has been in charge of producing several independent architectural projects, all exhibited abroad, including the International Architecture Biennale in Venice and architectural triennials in Japan and the Middle East.
Halla Helgadóttir (IS), managing director of Iceland Design and Architecture, has extensive experience as a designer and manager. Halla is a graphic designer and an honorary member of FÍT (Association of Icelandic Graphic Designers). She has worked for her own company for 20 years. Halla has participated in many examploratory and innovative projects, both in Iceland and internationally. She has gained valuable experience and knowledge of working interdisciplinary within the field of design and architecture in collaboration with companies, the government and within the field of the creative industry.
The Danish Embassy in Iceland is located on Hverfisgata 26, 101 Reykjavík. Register HERE.