BIO 25 Biennial of Design in Ljubljana Explores Decentralization and Post-Crisis Landscapes

The 25th edition of BIO – Biennial of Design Ljubljana, titled 'Faraway, So Close,' runs until October 29, 2017, across multiple locations in Slovenia. Curated by Angela Rui in collaboration with Maja Vardjan of the Museum of Architecture and Design Ljubljana, the biennial shifts from selecting existing projects to producing new works, functioning as a platform for research and experimentation. Seven guest designers—including Formafantasma, Matali Crasset, and Didier Fiuza Faustino—were paired with Slovenian personalities such as a philosopher, scientist, athlete, food researcher, science-fiction writer, and choreographer. The biennial is decentralized across seven locations beyond Ljubljana, including Trbovlje, a former mining town, and Kočevje, where Crasset installed a multifunctional stove in the forest. Episodes include 'Underground Release,' 'After Utopia,' and 'Occupying Woods.' The kiosk K67, designed in 1966 by Sasa Machtig, is manipulated by Faustino as a memory object. Rui notes the 'free land trend' of people moving from cities to rural areas post-2008 economic crisis, which the biennial addresses through local collaborations. The event aims to reimagine the future through shared individual experiences and community dialogue.