Hosted at Somerset House in London, the 2018 edition of the London Design Biennale will see countries presenting newly commissioned works under the theme “Emotional States” – referring to how design, in addition to affecting every aspect of people’s lives, influences our emotions and experiences.
Visitors can expect to interact with work by architects, designers, scientists, writers and artists, covering artificial intelligence and robotics, virtual reality, large-scale sculpture, immersive digital installations, performances and renderings of the future. Projects will address issues such as sustainability, pollution, civic responsibility, water and migration.
(Related: 5 off-the-beaten-track museums in London)
A first round of participating countries – among more than 40 countries and territories in total – was revealed this week and includes Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UK and the USA.
Among project plans revealed so far, Latvia will use condensation to create a technological glass surface in which visitors will be able to leave their mark, albeit temporarily; Lebanon will present the “absurdities of Beirut” – its contrasts and contradictions – using digital projections on a 360-degree surrounding structure by designer Fouad Elkoury; and Norway will invite visitors to interact with a robot in a gaming platform that brings together AI and humans in a live classroom-style environment.
The event will run from September 4-23, 2018, with more details to follow in the new year.
(Related: Gucci tries its hand at furniture and home design)