October 11–15, 2017
Taking place from October 11–15, the 9th edition of Design Week Mexico will present a range of activities, from exhibitions and temporary installations to interventions and talks, turning the capital into an international platform for innovation.
Last year, Mexico and Switzerland celebrated their 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Building on that relationship, Design Week Mexico will host Switzerland as its Guest Country. Meanwhile, the East-Central state of Puebla—known for its rich tradition of handcraft and folk art, such as the mayolica style pottery, glass and indigenous textiles—will be this edition’s Guest State, enabling bilateral collaboration between contemporary designers and traditional craftsmen.
The aftermath of the devastating earthquakes, which hit central and south Mexico on September 7 and 19, have generated overwhelming levels of solidarity and self-organization. In this changing context, and as the city gears up to become World Design Capital Mexico City 2018—responding to the theme of Socially Responsible Design—Design Week Mexico will continue to explore the role of design and architecture within the urban environment.
Design Week Mexico 2017 highlights include:
100 Years of Swiss Design
October 11, 2017–March 1, 2018
Design exhibition at Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City
This significant exhibition, at the Museo de Arte Moderno, looks at Switzerland’s design legacy and its international influence in the field. Initially mounted in 2014 at the Museum für Gestaltung (Zürich), this new iteration will also explore the shared histories of both countries, through the work of practioners who lived in both Mexico and Switzerland during different periods.
DWM Tamayo Project
October 11, 2017–March 21, 2018
Temporary architectural pavilion by Materia at Museo Tamayo, Mexico City
The gardens of Museo Tamayo will play host to DWM Tamayo Project, an architectural pavilion designed by the acclaimed Mexico City-based studio Materia. The temporary structure will become a central element of the contemporary art museum and its surrounding park, Bosque de Chapultepec, until the Spring.
Inédito
October 10–15
Design exhibition at Museo Tamayo, Mexico City
This exhibition at Museo Tamayo presents new design pieces by Mexican studios, including AD HOC; Comité de Proyectos; Déjate Querer and Estudio Juskani Alonso.
Visión & Tradición
October 10–15
Design residency & exhibition at Museo Tamayo, Mexico City
A group of emerging designers from Switzerland and Mexico took part in a residency program to work collaboratively with craftsmen in the region of Puebla, enabling a cultural dialogue between international creative communities while exploring the significance of traditional crafts in contemporary design. The pieces produced as part of this residency will be exhibited at Museo Tamayo.
Design House
October 12–27
Design intervention & Display at Luis G. Urbina 84, Polanco
A group of Mexican designers and architects intervene on a neocolonial-style house at the heart of the district of Polanco. Participants include C Cúbica; Esencial; Esrawe Studio; Ezequiel Farca + Cristina Grappin; MOB and Sinestesia.
EXPO Design Week
October 13–15
Design fair at Expo Reforma, Mexico City
The second edition of the design fair brings together over 100 brands to promote and showcase their most recent creations at Expo Reforma, in the Juarez district.
Coleccionable DWM 2017
A limited edition of 500 by the internationally-acclaimed Mexican artist Edgar Orlaineta will be launched this year. The design piece made of ceramics pays homage to the city and its residents, exploring the urban landscape and the design narratives it inhabits. It will be available at DWM events and Blend Concept Store, and parts of the proceeds will go to earthquake-relief organizations.
“Creativity & Change”
October 13
Symposium at Museo Tamayo, Mexico City
This one-day symposium at Museo Tamayo offers a platform for dialogue and debate, looking at the dynamic relationship between design, education, innovation and sustainability while exploring their possible social impact, particularly within the urban context. Guest speakers include Alexis Georgacopoulos, Director of the Swiss school ECAL, and more to be announced soon.
Design Content
20 containers installed on Julio Verne in Parque Lincoln, Polanco, offer temporary showcase for design studios in one of the most important commercial areas of the city. In addition, architecture and design students present interventions around the water fountains of the park.
