0‘ v.“ 02 n:-
n :ay‘n I :fi : itv «3:19 .I .94»;
0'18 vé am:
I? d 'a‘
20TH CENTURY DESIGN CLASSICS FUNKFAIR
Classics meet contemporary at Edinburgh’s new design fair
Great news for fans of retro design classics. Billed as Scotland’s first 20th—21 st century design fair, FunkFair is being launched in Edinburgh this fortnight. Time was, in the late 805, that you could still hope to find an Arne Jacobsen, Charles Eames or Harry Bertoia chair in a skip. Today, original examples are rare and highly collectable. Alongside this, there’s a growing interest in Scotland for contemporary design, and the new fair offers a chance to check out a selection of the best, under one roof. Highlights include contemporary fashion from Godiva, fantastic plastic creations by much-lauded designers Blue Marmalade, and furniture classics from Bachelor Pad such as a beautiful leather Swan chair by Jacobsen for the great Danish furniture manufacturer Fritz Hansen. The recently opened Glasgow emporium 182ero8 will also be represented. The fair is being held on the impressive dance floor of Ego, a design classic in its own right, but one that’s normally only seen by young Edinburgh clubbers. And with DJs spinning a selection of Old Skool tunes it should be a great place for a trip back to your youth. (Nick Barley)
I Funkfair is at Ego. 74 Picardy Place, Edinburgh, on Sat 3 8 Sun 4 Apr between 70am and 5pm.
DESIGN THE SCOTTISH SHOW
The Scots take on Milan
hGraeme Finlay
In 2003. Scotland's artists made their debut at the Venice Biennale. This year. it's the turn of the designers as they take part in the first ever Scottish design showcase at the Milan International Furniture Fair. London-based designersblock. set up in 1998. has teamed up with the Lighthouse in Glasgow to produce what is set to be one of the highlights of the event.
Rather than presenting the work of each designer individually, the Scottish Show takes a more Curatorial approach. NORD architects are designing a bar which will form the centrepiece of the show while Glasgow-based Graphical House will create the show's graphic identity. Lighting comes from the resource-friendly Blue Marmalade. known for its designs in plastic. One Foot Taller. the company behind the chasm chair. will unveil a new range of modular public seating and Timorous Beasties will be ‘fly wallpapering’ during the show.
“We wanted to show a diverse collection of design.‘ says Leonie Bell, exhibitions director at the Lighthouse. ‘All the designers have had an input in the display so it shows how people work rather than the final product.‘
The Scottish Show also features a range of evening purses by Laura Murray. animation from Donna Leisham of 6amhoover.com and furniture and household products by Graeme Findlay. including his Makalos range for Ikea.
Around 260,000 visitors are expected to attend the fair over the four days in Milan. and there are plans to bring the works home to the Lighthouse in 2005. Watch this space. (Helen Monaghan)
I The Scottish Show is unveiled as part of Milan 's designersb/ock, Wed 74—Mon 79 Apr. then during London Design Week in September.
Ht
Spend, spend, spend. ..
I BRIDGET RILEY. you've got a lot to answer for. Having defined the Spirit of an artistic epoch with her unsettling Op Art creations, the celebrated English artist’s ideas have now
found their way into the realms of kitchen crockery with this new range of mugs from Portmeirion. The Staffordshire pottery has embarked on collaborations with designers including the hip-as-hell Ella Doran. The Op Art mugs are the result of such a collaboration, this time with Jo Gorman. a freelance designer who is fast becoming a Portmeirion regular. Even more of a coup is a partnership with Oueensberry Hunt, Britain's most successful tableware designers. Their new range. using OH's trademark simplicity of form and colour. is named Soho. Both Soho and the Op Art mugs will be available from John Lewis in Glasgow and Edinburgh. and other good department stores.
I WHAT’S ALL THE shenanigans down at the sleepy old Glasgow Chamber of Commerce? Aren’t they the men in grey suits who sit round a large table muttering about the demise of good old-fashioned business values? Well, it seems at least one part of this myth can now be buried, because the GCC has appointed (sharp intake of breath) a woman as its chief executive, and what’s more, she’s only 45. Dr Lesley Sawers takes up the post in May. In the meantime, the GCC is setting out to prove that it’s got
Shopping
its finger very much on the pulse, by placing that haven for style junkies, Cruise, on its shortlist for Glasgow’s Favourite Business.
I SPALDING IS A US sports goods company and it's coming over here. In the States. it’s the second best- recognised sports brand. a favourite on urban street corners as well as on basketball courts. Spalding clothing is as hip as it gets in the States: a staple of the hip hop hardcore in the 19808 was Spalding shades without the lenses. Rapper Pharaohe Monch namechecked the brand in his 1999 track ‘Official'. and US spOrts stars such as Kobe Bryant are Spalding regulars. but until now. the company hasn't made its clothing available to British buyers. Happily the situation is about to change. with two casual collections including tanks, hoodies. T-shirts. shorts and more being made available fOr spring/summer in selected outlets.
I IT’S NOT EASY making independent record shops commercially viable, but a new one is setting out to do just that in the West End of Glasgow. Craig Mclachlan has opened Upbeat Records on Byres Road with the aim of specialising in hip hop, drum 8- bass and reggae; and he aims to bring in CDs that no other record shop in Glasgow has. In addition, the shop plans to display and sell work by local artists: first up is Tom Brown. Telephone 0141 357 5661 for details.
1- if) Apt 200-: THE LIST 113