jaime hayon: the tournament at london design festival 2009

jaime hayon: the tournament at london design festival 2009all images courtesy of hayon studio & LDF

as part of the 2009 london design festival (september 19–27) spanish designer jamie hayon will present ‘the tournament’. the giant porcelain chess set will be situated between the two fountains and faces the staircase of the national portrait gallery in trafalgar square. the installation reflects the battle of trafalgar between the british royal navy and the combined fleets of the spanish & french navy, which the british won thanks to the tactics used by lord nelson.

model of ‘the tournament’ in london’s trafalgar square

‘with ‘the tournament’, hayon offers his personal view of this historic event and a reflection on symbols of british culture, including the queen and monarchy as icons of english tradition and the towers as a representation of architectural history. a world of symbols and shapes are brought to life within ‘the tournament’ where hayon shares his vision and cosmography, asking the city to ‘come out and play’.

‘the 32 hand painted designs demonstrate the finishes, scale and techniques that can be achieved in porcelain. the figures will be up to 180 cm high and mounted on wheels so they can be moved around as the game is played. there will also be an area where the figurines will be displayed and housed overnight. contestants will be able to sit on elevated platforms overlooking the game and their moves will be relayed by the judge, to the team on the board who will move the pieces into position.’

‘visitors to trafalgar square will be able to experience the work throughout the day, while games are taking place and once the sun goes down dramatic lighting will illuminate the board giving the opportunity to view the pieces throughout the evening.’