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After a first successful edition in 2020, the city of Kortrijk will present the second edition of the creative city festival WONDER from October 15 to November 14, 2021. This edition takes place in the factory halls on the former site of Van Marcke, also known as the old De Coene site. Van Marcke has meanwhile built a sustainable logistics center on the outskirts of Kortrijk (Aalbeke). This special location - one of the most important urban renewal projects for the next ten years, where a new 15-hectare part of the city is being built - is being occupied in this way for the first time.
For the event, creative, cultural and socio-economic organizations and educational institutions in Kortrijk (such as Biennale Interieur, Design Region Kortrijk, City of Kortrijk, Howest, Wilde Westen, Leiedal, Hangar K, Library Kortrijk and LETTERZETTER Kortrijk) join forces for a unique event. around the chair. Both young design talent and established values will work with the theme 'PLEASE, HAVE A SEAT' through exhibitions, art installations, workshops, lectures, innovative projects and interesting presentations. From historical designs by the Danish designers Verner Panton and Arne Jacobsen to more modern objects by Dirk Wijnants, Nendo, Jasper Morrison and Barber Osgerby, among others. From classics from IKEA, House of Finn Juhl, Zeitraum to new designs from Arper, Atelier Vierkant, Vitra and Thonet to firsts from established values and young talents taking their first steps in the design world.
The chair here symbolizes sitting together, coming together, enjoying together, being together. With this theme, WONDER not only makes way for seating elements in all their form and function, but also wants to show the importance and impact of social interaction, coming together and social action. “We will have to wait until next year for the traditional Interieur biennale, but we will get a good foretaste at WONDER with the exhibition 'Please, have a Seat'. Our Kortrijk creative partners such as Designregio Kortrijk, Wilde Westen, Leiedal and Howest will once again amaze the public with their creations. The second edition of the festival moved from the city center to the old industrial site Van Marcke. There we are working on one of the most important urban renewal projects for the next ten years: a completely new 15-hectare district,” shares Ruth Vandenberghe, the Mayor of Kortrijk.
The result is a fascinating and diverse route along a huge presentation of more than 200 chairs by Biennale Interieur; a tribute to renowned Italian designer Enzo Mari by the students of Howest; a discovery by the new generation of young designers, swing constructions made of stainless metal, moving poems from the poetry collection 'Bezette Stad' by writer Paul Van Ostaijen and designer Oscar Jespers, sound art installations and a real bumper car installation.
We Are The Next Generation exhibition strives to create an opportunity to provide exposure to the next generation of designers and the themes that keep them awake, through the work of 38 young designers. From architecture for the future to AR in gaming and from innovative product design to stunning graphic design. Among the highlights is a unique sofa- DERME by Marit Doorenbos which takes inspiration from the cell-shaped human skin.
In addition to the chair gallery, during 'PLEASE, HAVE A SEAT' the oeuvre of the new 'Designer of the Year' 2021 will be revealed to the public.
WONDER
Kortrijk Creativity Festival
October 15 - November 14, 2021
Van Marcke site
Wegvoerenlaan 5, 8500 Kortrijk
Open from Thursday to Sunday, 11:00-19:00
What do you think?