slow hand design: thai products

‘slow hand design’ exhibition view image © designboom

southeast asia continues to step up its presence on the international design scene and thailand is seeking to become a point of reference for top-quality production. known for the country’s millenary culture abounding with colour, fragrance, crafts and tradition, thailand — in terms of production — is  as a source of fine raw materials and excellent crafts.

the department of export promotion (DEP) is making its debut with a curatorial project at the milan design week 2011. the exhibition ‘slow hand design – the heart value of thai contemporary products’ intends to reflect the value of thai product exports that still retain their ancestral DNA inherited through many generations.

exhibition design by B.U.G. design studio image © designboomthe modern furniture products that are displayed in this exhibition, trace their roots via thailand’s cultural infusion. curated by by eggarat wongcharit, a businessman, researcher and designer. it is his intention to reflect how a warm thai design spirit and tradition is infused into various forms, textures, technologies and expressions. in close harmony with the local craft tradition, new thai design is a meeting between expert age-old local art and the ingredients of contemporary design. companies such as deesawat, crafactor, ayodhya and yothaka manifest familiar thai elements in their use of natural materials. products that have won the DEmark award, the country’s most prestigious research and development prize are also on show. exhibition design by B.U.G. design studio.

‘soda chair’ by trimode image © designboom

the exhibition is is a detailed inventory of what is happening today in the thai world of mass production. the pop-culture scenography perfectly expresses the vibrant kaleidoscope of typical local features such as food and conviviality, among other  distinctive aesthetics. the exhibition is comprised of 4 sections: 1. the glory suvarnabhumi (southeast asia) and its cultural evolution through trade, religions and beliefs. 2. cultural evolution in relationship with modern thai design. 3. maximalism vs minimalism that explains how the movements of thai crafts are conformed in the global furniture design business. 4. the future of thai design that reflects the potential of design development.

natural materials are the ingredients of contemporary design

‘slow hand design’ explains how the evolution of local, small- and medium-sized companies and the combination of modern technology with superb craftsmanship has given rise to a new production of contemporary high quality design.

‘i-kon diamond cut’ by stone & steel image © designboom

a view into the exhibition image © designboom

traditional thai packaging image © designboom

various exotic materials with vivid colors and rustic textures are weaved by the hands of villagers from regional thailand

natural materials and craftmanship

flower ornaments and traditional kites image © designboom

water hyacinth bag image © designboom

rice in elevated wooden bowls on woven tray image © designboom

‘wave’ by deesawat  (see also deesawat at TIFF furniture fair 2011 in bangkok) image © designboom

abalone for planet 2001 image © designboom

reborn for rapee leela image © designboom

reborn for rapee leela image © designboom

‘grow’ by dots design studio image © designboom

a view into the exhibition image © designboom

‘ma-lee’ paper curtain by saran youkongdee design studio image © designboom

exhibition view image © designboom

‘cell collection’ by anon pairot image © designboom

— the exhibition ‘slow hand design’ was supported by: office product value promotion, department of export promotion,

royal thai government of the kingdom of thailand in collaboration with thailand trade office, milan, italy

in conjunction with demark and thailand’s brand.

exhibition curator: eggarat wongcharit

exhibition design: B.U.G. design studio