The Taipei Design & City Exhibition opened yesterday at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.
Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Liu Wei-gong (劉維公) said his department has organized numerous events aimed at promoting design culture leading up to the city’s designation as World Design Capital in 2016.
“We hope to encourage more people to participate in the World Design Capital project... It is important that city residents understand that design encompasses many serious social questions,” he said, adding that the department seeks to educate residents about the connection between design and everyday life.
The focus of this year’s exhibit is the social impact of design, particularly ways in which design can contribute to society.
Exhibits of interest include a hand-cranked washing machine bucket, kites that measure air pollution, syringes that change color after use and small stoves designed to reduce firewood use in developing countries, Liu said.
The exhibit seeks to encourage domestic design by bringing in famous international designs and providing opportunities for designers to interact.
Compared to previous years’ exhibits — which focused mainly on design concepts and local creations — this year’s show features many pieces that have won international awards, he said.
The Taipei Design & City Exhibition started yesterday and runs through Oct. 26 at Warehouse 4 and 5 of the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. Admission is free.
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