It actually happened! DesignMarch 2020 took place from 24th – 28th of June!
The theme of this year’s festival was New World – New Ways. Little did festival organizers know what challenges they would face.
“In the beginning of March, when it became apparent that the festival would have to be postponed, we called everyone involved to get their feedback. We believe that the conversations we had about how we could proceed collectively, and bring light and positivity during these challenging times, enabled all of us to work together and organize a more local, yet very successful festival. Even though Iceland has been successful in tackling the challenges associated with Covid-19, we had to adapt to a new format,” Þórey Einarsdottir, festival director.
To do so, festival organizers decided to put additional emphasis on creating digital content and documenting the festival. The team experimented with a new concept called STUDIO 2020, a platform for varied forms of interviews,giving insights into the Icelandic design scene and current local conversations.
Festival events were spread all over the greater Reykjavik capital area, and large events, such as DesignTalks, opening and closing ceremonies, and Design Diplomacy, were postponed until 2021. At the same time, there was a more local focus and it was inspiring to see how many local people
attended DesignMarch in June.
Despite the unusual circumstances, there was no lack of creativity. A common thread throughout the festival was emphasis on sustainability, and the reuse and repurposing of materials.
Björn Steinar Blumenstein created a limited edition Covid-19 sanitizer made from 250 kg of leftover fruit from local food importers, highlighting the material’s potential use-value. The sanitizer was offered to guests at all DesignMarch venues.
“This year, we surely missed our big events, as well as our international guests. We are excited to bring back DesignTalks and our big official events next year and look forward to welcoming international guests to DesignMarch 2021” Þórey Einarsdóttir, festival director
Click here to view the DesignMarch in June Thank you video.
Make sure to follow @designmarch for insights on Iceland creatives and local designers and their take on New World, New Ways during times where creative thinking is ever so important!
News and photos from DesignMarch 2020
Studio–2020
For this year’s edition of DesignMarch, the team experimented with a concept called STUDIO 2020. During the festival the studio served as a platform for varied forms of interviews, LIVE talk shows, performative design interventions, thematic conversations and podcasts.
This is was the right time to be experimental with new ways of communicating a design festival, content beyond and below appearances alone.
The creators and curators of the Studio 2020 are Hlín Helga Guðlaugsdóttir, curator of DesignTalks, Garðar Eyjólfsson, programme Director of MA Design at Iceland University of Arts, María Kristín Jónsdóttir, editor in chief of HA magazine, Steinn Einar Jónsson, designer and Einar Egilsson, filmmaker, with the support from Promote Iceland.
Make sure to follow DesignMarch on Instagram for an insight to the Icelandic design scene and inspirational conversations about design and architecture. @designmarch
Frame is collaborated with DesignMarch this year and hosted a LIVE conversation where Robert Thiemann, founder and editor-in-chief conversed with local creative thinkers on how design can facilitate degrowth, yet improve health and prosperity of people and planet as part of their #FrameLive series.
