Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby design installation for London Design Biennale 2016
The wind installation has been created with the V&A and will go on display at London’s Somerset House in September.
Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have worked alongside the V&A to create a wind-powered installation that is set to be displayed at the inaugural London Design Biennale this September.
Alongside installations from more than 35 other countries, Forecast – Barber and Osgerby’s entry on behalf of the UK – has been designed to coincide with the biennale’s theme of “Utopia by Design”. The concept celebrates the 500th anniversary of the publication of Thomas More’s famous work, Utopia, as part of Somerset House’s UTOPIA 2016 season.
Supported by British Land, the installation will be displayed in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court at Somerset House throughout the course of the event. It is made up of a group of wind masts and rotating elements, inspired by weather measuring instruments.
“functionality and beauty”
Based on a simple kinetic structure, the installation is designed to respond to the elements, moving when the wind picks up or changes direction. “Forecast responds to the theme of Utopia by linking our seafaring past to a future of truly sustainable power,” say Barber and Osgerby.
“As an island nation, Britain has historically been reliant on harnessing the power of the wind and the waves for transportation, migration, trade and exploration. Today, the UK is a world leader in offshore wind energy. Forecast is intended to reference this and highlight the opportunity for a more sustainable future.”
Victoria Broackes, V&A curator, adds: “Striking a delicate balance between functionality and beauty, Forecast will be an expression of what might be possible: much like Thomas More’s vision of Utopia itself.”
The inaugural London Design Biennale – an independent production from the founders of the London Design Festival – will present newly commissioned contemporary design, design-led innovation, creativity and research by designers from countries across the world.
It will run from 7-27 September at Somerset House, London. Tickets are available here.
Read this next
-
Post a comment
