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TAGASINew York design festival NYXxDESIGN was held on 16-22 May in 2024 with 45 Estonian designers presenting their inventive and environmental-friendly products at the exhibition “UPMADE IN EE” in Soho Lafayette Gallery.
The exposition was divided into for main themes: durable handmade products, recycling and reprocessing materials as well as cutting-edge use of biomaterials. There were furnishings made from mycelium and consumer products made from cigarette butts. Sustainable fashion examples included outerwear made from recycled materials and seaweed as well as denim lace gowns. Service design was represented by e-residency and for the first time, Reet Aus presented the digital passport for products. Conversations with the Estonian designers were moderated by the President of the Industrial Designers Society of America, Surya Vanka.
The exhibition featured young experimental artists such as Siim Karro, Sandra Luks, Eva-Karlotta Tatar, Juhan Soomets, Urmas Lüüs alongside experienced designers such as Tarmo Luisk, Leonardo Meigas and Piret Loog, Mare Kelpman and Kärt Summatavet. Similarly, several major manufacturers were present.
Annika Kaldoja’s folding wooden table was placed in the extensive gallery space. We also commissioned folding cardboard furniture from Tarmo Luisk (chairs, shelves, desks and torsos). The walls were covered by carpets by Johanna Ulfsak, with one of the corners filled with Estonian culture posters.
As a result, several cooperation offers were received, including in education, as well as three distributors.
Text by: Ilona Gurjanova
