Tonight marks the start of Brussels Design September (BDS) 2023, a festival that brings together over 300 international designers, makers and creatives in 100 venues. It includes exhibitions, lectures, markets and workshops across the capital.
This year's festival highlights the iconic Art Nouveau style with a particular emphasis on the use of glass. BDS 2023 kicks off on Tuesday night with a presentation of the month's programme followed by a cocktail dinner during which the work of two innovative art duos will be showcased.
Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts
The focus on Art Nouveau celebrates 130 years of the movement, first mentioned in a Belgian journal in 1884. BDS 2023 pays tribute to the transformative style that greatly impacted decorative arts by featuring striking installations and colours by Spanish designer Jaime Hayon at the MAD Brussels design institute.
BDS will also highlight the Arts & Crafts tradition, derived from Art Nouveau with an emphasis on artisanal creations and local manufacturing methods. Particular attention is paid to crafters who incorporate sustainable methods and BDS will present collaborations between contemporary designers and artisans in workshops and open-house tours.
Jaime Hayon and his artwork. Credit: portrait of Jaime Hayon by Salva Lopez
Brussels artists
On the occasion of BDS 2023 and The Contemporary Design Market's 5th anniversary, the market venue has turned into a self-prescribed "design exchange platform" called FOR THE NOW to showcase the work of a host of handpicked professionals from the design industry.
Over the weekend of 23 and 24 September, the design platform will highlight the work of two artist duos, Naomi Waku & Marijke Jans and An Gills & Nabil Aniss. Both duos were brought together through the BINÔME project to promote diversity by kickstarting dialogue between Belgian designers and designers with different cultural backgrounds.
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Waku and Jan's exhibit will focus on how individuals experience depression whilst Gills and Aniss' art brings together Belgian wool and Berber tradition.
BDS lectures will also highlight women in the design industry with the "Celles qui font le design - Maak & Transmettre" lecture on 19 September. On 20 September, "Subjects/Objects on the move: What defines mobility today" will address the challenge of sustainable solutions for urban mobility.
Reuse, reduce, recycle
By putting the Belgian capital at the forefront of the international design industry, BDS promotes discussion on pertinent questions of sustainability. In particular, the RENEWAL exhibition highlights sustainable production processes, the transformative use of water, the use of offcuts, organic materials and recycled objects.
The Brussels Design Market puts renewal front and centre with 150 exhibitors presenting high-end vintage furniture, lighting and interior accessories in the Tour & Taxis Maritime Station from 23 to 24 September. Visitors can browse signature collection items that pay tribute to the Belgian architect and designer Christophe Gevers, best known for using raw materials that age over time.
Meanwhile the BDS urban itinerary guides participants through a curated selection of vintage retailers in Brussels.
Transforming Royal Belge headquarters
Since June, the former Royale Belge headquarters has been transformed by MIX Brussels – a hotel design masterpiece experience. For BDS 2023 the hotel will put the spotlight on aesthetics and functionality in its interior. This will include works from 50 artists and artisans in the exceptional space that provides an unrivalled 360-degree view of the Sonian Forest.
BDS will culminate with the presentation of the Designer of the Year award on 23 September, awarded to exceptional Belgian talent within the local design community.
Interior of MIX Brussels. Credit: Brussels Design September
