Main expo Retrieved great success during Gdynia Design Days

Curator Izabela Bołoz created new focus on seas and oceans

Gdynia / Eindhoven, July 2016 – During the 9th edition of the Gdynia Design Days (Poland) the main exhibition Retrieved was an unfathomed success with professionals, press and the general public. More than 30.000 visitors enjoyed this event. Showcasing the works from 27 international designers, companies, architectural studios and organizations it focused on seas and oceans, a fitting theme for a relatively new harbor city in the north of Poland. Polish / Netherlands based designer and curator Izabela Bołoz curated Retrieved, presenting design concepts that contributed to cleaner oceans, used sea materials in new ways, innovative technological solutions to explore the oceans, as well as educated or increased awareness of the sea and its inhabitants. The event was complemented by workshops, panel discussions, lectures and field initiatives for various professionals, designers, students, inhabitants and tourists.

Why Retrieved?

Izabela Boloz, curator: “For designers and scientists the sea depths are still unfathomable, barely discovered and understood. The starting question is how to better get to know the sea to be able to wisely use its resources while keeping in mind the protection of the environment. Unfortunately, today one of the most plentiful resources in the sea is plastic. The exhibition has shown to be an inspiration for the creative and wise approach to the sea and water and will also arouse interest in innovative design solutions, not just now but in years to come. We hope Retrieved will travel, so others can experience this friendly to the environment exhibition.”

In this international exhibition, modern technologies allowed the exploration of depths and a more accurate than ever study and analysis of the underwater fauna and flora. Understanding the specifics of the marine environment gives the designer and the viewers the ability to translate observations into functional designs. The collection of works by international design studios, architectural firms, companies and organizations showed the diversity of possibilities for the treatment of the subject. Design is not the only solution as architecture also, thanks to its coexistence with the sea, allows for contact with water. In addition, projects on the basis of open-source software were part of the exhibition, thus enabling the viewers to independently create facilities for research and hence – to better understand the problems of the sea.

Full catalogue and list of designers

Ewa Janczukowicz-Cichosz, Deputy Director of the Pomeranian Science and Technology Park Gdynia: “As the main exhibition of the Gdynia Design Days festival, Retrieved presented an overview of smart and sustainable projects in which the sea plays a major role. It triggered discussions about the condition of shoals, sustainable fishing and the problem of plastic waste floating in the oceans. It showcased what the sea has to offer in the context of alternative materials and fabrics development. We believe that the sea is an interesting proving ground for research for technologists, designers, as well as for children and young people. We need to keep taking closer look at the sea and regain the awareness of its impact on our daily lives.”

Gdynia Design Days

Gdynia Design Days is a yearly festival organized by the Gdynia Design Center. It showcased prototypes and projects that are created specifically in response to the theme of the festival. The core assumption of the event is deeply rooted in themes of the city, urbanity and life of the inhabitants. The festival covered key locations in downtown Gdynia and the grounds of the Pomeranian Science and Technology Park. In 2016 the event was held for the 9th time on the 1-10th July 2016. http://gdyniadesigndays.eu/ | facebook.com/gdyniadesigndays | instagram: @gdyniadesigndays

Izabela Bołoz

Izabela Bołoz is a Polish curator and designer. She studied social science in Wroclaw and Zurich before moving on to study design at Kingston University and Design Academy Eindhoven. In 2011, she established her own studio in the Netherlands. Clients include cultural institutions, local governments and international brands. Her projects are as diverse as her background, ranging from installations in public space, to functional objects and curation of exhibitions. While curating Izabela focuses on telling stories through experience. She is currently a tutor at the Technical University Eindhoven and at the School of Form in Poznan. www.izabelaboloz.com