The BELEF 07 called HERE AND THERE IS OVER HERE is dedicated to the problem how to  look around us and find our own HERE.  A team gathered around the project tries to offer a solution or at least hope that even here it is possible to see, to express oneself, to learn, to connect, to take part and to change at least our own surroundings in different fields MUSIC, THEATRE,VISUAL ARTS, NEW INITIATIVES and EDUCATION. The decision for all the events to interweave during 23 days in the Belgrade Fortress, to engage several hundreds of authors and to “mix” natives and foreigners on the same project, fulfil a goal of choosing HERE.

Mid-May saw Belgrade turned design capital, with Belgrade Design Week’s “change2” conference-event, which was actually more like a creative rock’n’roll show next to the more “serious” conferences most of us are used to. The event managed to gather some of the most prominent contemporary makers and thinkers in design; outside the lectures, however, everyone talked and partied passionately together. Among the glitterati were Rem Koolhaas, Patricia Urquiola, Matali Crasset, Winka Dubbeldam, Renny Ramakers (Droog Design), Robert Thiemann, (Frame) and many others, all of whom talked about branding, architecture and design.

(more…)

In 2004, Zavod Big introduced the collection Timeless Slovenian Design, which is aimed at presenting the most notable products by authors who have promoted design in practice at home and abroad. This year will see the announcement of a new member at the opening ceremony of Month of Design.

Previous years have seen the following names added to the collection as a result of their eye-catching designs: COCKTA (Sergej Pavlin, 1953), REX CHAIR (Niko Kralj, 1954), MICROPHONES (Marko Turk, 1963), KIOSK K-67 (Saša Mächtig, 1967), TOMOS ATX 50 MOTORCYCLE (Igor Rosa, 1983), ISKRA ETA 85 TELEPHONE (Davorin Savnik, 1985). As the last was last year added GONDOLA RECLINING CHAIRS (Oskar Kogoj, 1969). Which product will be added this year, will be known on the opening ceremony of Month of Design.

(more…)

The region of ex-Yugoslavia boasts many prospective talented designers, and Ata Omerbasic of Bosnia-Herzegovina is inarguably one of them. She has formal training as a product designer, is a member of , but is actually more into fashion. (more…)

Istanbul’s Çiragan Palace played host mid-May to Gorenje’s launch of its new Gorenje Ora-Ïto Collection. The event, attended by guests from some 30 countries, including Miss Slovenia, Iris Mulej – herself a fashion stylist and designer – also celebrated the recent opening of Gorenje’s Turkish subsidiary Gorenje Istanbul, Ltd., founded last year.
The collection comprises a series of refrigerators/freezers, multifunctional ovens, glass-ceramic and induction hobs, hoods, and decorative panels for microwaves and dishwashers, distinctive for their uniform appearance of front panels which are entirely covered in black glass, and handles made of brushed aluminium, either natural or black. (more…)

Last year’s impressions of Month of Design: expect even bigger, better and more creative Month of Design 2007. Theme: Mediterranean identities. More info

Marina Dorcol, primarily a residential project with over 140,000 m2, includes apartments, commercial and office space, hotel, large green areas, parks, walking lanes, parking space, and garages. Marina Dorcol is a unique project located around old Dorcol Marina on the right
river bank of Danube, just a ten minute walk from the city centre. The idea was not only to create space for living, but in particular, space for life. (more…)

Kaopaoshu is originally a Bosnian fashion design brand, but since Naida Begeta moved to Milan, the brand has functioned as two separate sections. She designs under the name Kao Pao Shu by Naida Begeta; the other, in Sarajevo, goes by Kao Pao Shu by Vanja Ciraj and Irma Saje. STRIPE UP YOURSELF by Naida Begeta for the Kao Pao Shu label, is a collection realized only with different kinds of stripes – and stripes only.

(more…)

The portal is the official website of Month of Design and an information platform of Slovenian design. It connects different publics – design experts, industry, media, R&D institutions and the broader interested public.
The web site will present Months of Design from 2003 to 2007, all award winners and recipients of honorary mentions, guest lecturers, organisers, current events of Month of Design 2007, announcements of coming events and summaries of past events, and provide people with the opportunity to vote for Stars awards, which will be conferred at the opening ceremony.

NEW: This year the web site will also feature a Designers’ registry, previously only available in the Design Catalogue, of Slovenian product, interior and fashion designers.

The Design Catalogue is an official publication of Month of Design providing the expert and general public with essential information on product, interior and fashion design.

In 2007 the catalogue will be bound together with and linked to Kontrast magazine, connecting design stars and stories, brains, brands and signs, the promising and the timeless with creative power, passion and exotica of SE Europe through the underlying theme of Mediterranean identities. The catalogue will be available at all Month of Design events.

When & where: June – December 2007; Migetalkar (Ciliate), platform outside Figovec restaurant (centre of Ljubljana)

Migetalkar (Ciliate) is an urban exhibition space, an impressive architectural “display” for promoting creative achievements in architecture and design. This year it will host design exhibitions connected to Month of Design. Zavod Big has constructed Migetalkar according to the idea and plans by Dr Dominika Batista.

We are planning to stage four exhibitions connected to Month of Design:
- June – September 2007: Exhibition of nominees for Stars of Month of Design 2007
- September – October 2007: Exhibition of promising young designers
- October – November 2007: Exhibition Stars and Stories 2007 – award winners of Month of Design 2007
- November – December 2007: Exhibition of the Timeless Slovenian Design collection

Photo:  Matevž Paternoster

When & where: 18 October – 18 November 2007, courtyard of Ljubljana Castle

This year Month of Design is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The exhibition presenting all award winners and recipients of Stars and Stories awards and commendations in the past five years will open at Ljubljana Castle on the first day and close on the last day of Month of Design. Accompanying events will include presentations by designers and topical discussions.

Photo: Matevž Paternoster