V&A design weekend kicks off

Multidisciplinary design group Troika will kick off the Designerama weekend this evening, using text messages sent in by the public to make a giant projection that attempts to explain ‘why design matters’.

Also tonight, D-fuse will present a specially commissioned, live audio-visual performance using Web, film, print and mobile media.

Later this evening, fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, artist Richard Wentworth, architecture critic Jonathan Glancey, comedian Arabella Weir, poet John Hegley and composer Michael Nyman will present objects that they consider the best exponents of modern design.

Throughout the weekend, and under the instruction of craft workshop The Make Lounge and jeweller Dorothy Hogg, visitors will be able join designers to create a giant charm bracelet that will wind through the Sackler Centre and the V&A.

The V&A will also launch a ‘design group’ on photo website Flickr, where museum visitors will be able to upload their photographs of exhibits and discuss them with other users.

On Sunday, Lauren Child, author and illustrator of children’s series Charlie and Lola, will talk about her work and her favourite V&A objects.

The weekend also offers a programme of short films curated by resident digital media artist Jo Lawrence. Along with fellow artist in residence Hogg, Lawrence will open her studio to visitors all weekend.