London Design Biennale 2018 Explores 'Emotional States' at Somerset House

The London Design Biennale 2018, held at Somerset House from September 2018, brought together 40 countries under the theme 'Emotional States,' curated by Christopher Turner. The event ran parallel to the London Design Festival. Egypt won the London Design Biennale 2018 Medal for 'Modernist Indignation,' curated by Mohamed Elshahed, which revisited the modernist architecture magazine Al Emara (1939–1959). Poland received the Medal of Honour for 'A Matter of Things,' curated by Małgorzata Wesołowska, tracing 100 years of Polish history through ten objects. The Netherlands presented a hydroponic vegetable-growing chamber by Marjan van Aubel, claiming 90% water savings and 40 times higher yield. Latvia's 'Matter to Matter' by Arthur Analts (Variant Studio) won the Best Design Medal, featuring a window where condensation allows writing. Greece's kinetic installation by Studio INI responded to footsteps, evoking disobedience. Lebanon's 'Silent Room' by Nathalie Harb with BÜF and 21dB offered silence against noise pollution. The UK used forensic architecture software for 'Maps of Defiance' to investigate ISIS destruction in Sinjar, Iraq. The Refugees' Pavilion showcased temporary shelter and objects designed by refugees. Italy presented 'L'Architettura degli Alberi' by La Triennale, a retrospective of Cesare Leonardi and Franca Stagi's tree morphology illustrations from their 1982 book.