BDW 2013 IS OPEN
BDW DizajnPark, the Belgrade Design Week exclusive exhibitions, was opened at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Usce) with Dragana Ognjenovic fashion show. Presenting a dozen exhibitions from Greece, USA, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland and Serbian designers, the visitors had a rare opportunity to see a nearly forgotten space of an important Belgrade cultural institution of national importance, which has been closed down for reconstruction for the past six years. It temporarily opened its doors only for the five days of the DesignPark event. Jovan Jelovac, founder and curator of Belgrade Design Week opened the festival with the representatives of the government and cultural institutions, members of diplomatic corps and exhibitors.
The famous exhibition “The Greek Monsters” created based on original illustrations by the Greek studio Beetroot for the book “The Misunderstood Monsters of Greek Mythology” was very well received, and appealed especilally to the youngest visitors. Our exibitors from Greece gave helium baloons symbolizing their design. Dusan Reljin, the acclaimed Serbian photographer residing in New York who photographs the world’s biggest stars, displayed his latest work titled 10/10, and Austrian designer Thomas Feichtner allowed the Serbian public a rare and precious behind-the-scenes glimpse into his design process.
German ambassador Heinz Wilhelm expressed his satisfaction for the opportunity to open the festival which the German Embassy has been supporting for the past five years. The festival is also supported by the Ministry of Finance.
– Our economy needs creative individuals. They need to be in contact with important creatives from all over the world in order to be able to thrive in their creativity. I thank BDW for making that possible. It feels good to be in this inspiring and creative environment, said Goran Petkovic, state secretary for tourism.
Belgrade Design Week is the first major event to take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art since the building reconstruction started in 2008. Slobdan Nakarada, executive director of the museum, said he was very pleased with the huge reception, because it reminded him of the Museum’s glory days.
Beside Dusan Reljin, Thomas Feichtner and members of Greek studio Beetroot, at the opening of the event the audience also had the opportunity to see one of the world’s most influential modern illustrators, Ukrainian-Danish artist Sergei Sviatchenko. The highlight of the evening was the collection of Serbia’s prominent fashion designer Dragana Ognjenovic.
Entry is free during the exhibitions until Sunday from 10 h to 20 h. Aside from the exhibitions, business, educational and creative BDW conference will also take place from 06 to 08 June and during which global stars from a variety of creative industries – branding, design, architecture, publishing, advertising, fashion, new media, film, business and culture, will give their presentations.
