In its inaugural edition, RAD DESIGN marks a significant moment this month being the first contemporary collectible design fair to open in Eastern Europe.
Waves by Antwerp-based designer Yoon Shun will be on display at the inaugural RAD DESIGN showcase taking place in Bucharest this month. Photography: Yoon Shun
Words by Roddy Clarke
Bringing a renewed visibility and accessibility to the Romanian design world, RAD DESIGN is a new venture led by the team behind RAD ART FAIR which hosted its inaugural edition last year. Extending the four-day event with the addition of RAD DESIGN, this new showcase for 2024 is titled “With or without poetry, with or without function” and seeks to explore the interplay of form and function while taking visitors through a curated exhibition of collectible works.
Forester Glasses by Elis Monsport, the Prague-based studio founded by glass artist Eliška Monsportová will be on display within RAD DESIGN. Photography @Elis Monsport
Co-directed by gallery owners Catinca Tabacaru and Daniela Palimariu, RAD is seeking to become a central hub for the regional art and design scene by bringing local and international creatives together at this annual event. With the design segment headed up by Romanian architect Adela Maria Marius, it adds a further dimension to the exhibition while presenting an opportunity for artists and designers to explore cross-sector collaborations. “It’s time to radically reconsider the conventional roles we assign to the things surrounding us, and our fair inspires just that by redefining the boundaries of design,” comments Marius as she discusses the vision for the show.
Romanian architect and Director of RAD DESIGN, Adela Maria Marius. Photography @Raluca Margescu
“Functionality has evolved throughout human history in the realm of objects, influenced by society’s needs and cultural shifts,” Marius continues. “While utility remains crucial, there’s a growing emphasis on symbolic and communicative aspects and objects have become a form of personal and collective expression, reflecting taste and identity. In strengthening the core of the Romanian art and design scene, we hope this offers visibility to those involved while expanding community and building a base for the growth of a healthy Romanian contemporary art and design culture over the next decade.”
The Pressure Bench by Dutch designer Tim Teven, another highlight at this year’s upcoming RAD DESIGN Fair. Photography @Tim Teven
Opening its doors on May 16th in the country’s capital, Bucharest, set within Hotel Caro, RAD ART FAIR will be hosting 26 exhibiting galleries while RAD DESIGN will be placed within one cohesive scenography with an international line-up of more than 30 designers and studios. Alongside the showcase, a talks programme will take place as well as a design shop which will be open to visitors and is curated in partnership with leading design platform Adorno. “It has always been our goal to support design communities which are often overlooked,” says Martin Clausen, Co-founder & Creative Director of Adorno. “Partnering with RAD is an important milestone on this mission, and we are very excited to see it grow in the years to come. And, with RAD being the first fair of it’s kind in Eastern Europe, it creates an important stage for culture to thrive in times of geopolitical uncertainty.”
Lilith Vases by Brazilian ceramic artist Lucia Mondadori will be on display in the fair’s design shop, co-curated by design platform Adorno. Photography @Lucia Mondadori
With the global design calendar in need of a shake up, due to industry events becoming predictable, unsustainable, and driven by large corporate sponsors which can often overshadow the ingenuity of local artisanal craft, it is exciting to see regional events such as this stepping into the spotlight bringing an honest, diverse, and curated approach to the industry. For those seeking to unearth hidden talents, visiting events such as this could be the answer you’re looking for. And, with it already expanding across art and design, as well as hosting an array of international talent, the proposition of cross-cultural and cross-sector narratives proposes to being a refreshing and exciting alternative to the more commercial design shows we have become accustomed to.
To find out more, tickets for RAD ART FAIR and RAD DESIGN can be accessed here.
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