Joint press release of the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative of the Federal Government

The first London Design Biennale will open on 7 September 2016. Exhibitions, installations and design concepts from more than thirty countries will explore the theme Utopia by Design.

Konstantin Grcic, one of the most influential contemporary designers worldwide, has curated Germany’s contribution, Utopia Means Elsewhere. The installation by the Munich-based designer invites visitors to dream of their own Utopias – in a sound-damped room on chairs of Grcic’s design.

The Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy are supporting Germany’s participation in this event, courtesy of funds made available by the German Bundestag for the creative sector. Germany’s contribution has been organised by the German Design Council and the Deutsches Design Museum Foundation at the behest of the two ministries.

The London Design Biennale demonstrates the significant role the creative sector plays in shaping the future by exploring relevant social issues and connecting people across borders. Germany is one of the world’s prime cultural and creative hubs. Supporting the creative industries is thus a key component of cultural relations policy under Foreign Minister Steinmeier.

With a turnover of just under 20 billion euros per year in Germany, the design industry also plays an important role in the economy. The number of exporting companies in the sector has been growing continuously for years. As part of the Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative of the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy therefore also helps the German design industry to participate in international events. These events provide an excellent forum for attracting new clients and learning about innovations. And, as in the case of the London Design Biennale, they present an opportunity to showcase German designs on the international stage.

The international contributions to the Design Biennale will be open to the public at Somerset House in London until 27 September 2016. More information about Germany’s contribution can be found at www.german-design-council.de.