The pineapple bench

Several hundred innovative items from around the world were on display at the just-ended Taipei World Design Expo. Renowned artists showed their innovation in combining functionality and state-of-the-art design within the theme “Crossover – The Symbiosis of Craft and Environment”.

Inside the TWTC Exhibition Hall the avant-garde designs bridged cultural divides, representing a transition from the ancient world to the modern and the convergence of oriental culture with Western civilisation.

The exposition sprawled across Songshan Culture and Creative Park, the Nangang Exhibition Hall and the TWTC hall. In the last there were displays like “In Bliss”, featuring aesthetic designs using eco-friendly materials. The hall was a tobacco warehouse during the Japanese occupation and was thus itself “recycled”.

Thailand’s Suwan Kongkhunthien presented a bench made of pineapple fibre, a rough paper in orange and brown.

Linber Huang of the Taiwan Design Centre said the exposition highlighted four types of design – interiors, graphics, handicrafts and industrial design.

Through its theme, he said, the exhibition was meant to trace the evolution of human intelligence and creativity. The items on display demonstrated how people have integrated aesthetic and philosophical ideas.

The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century brought dramatic changes in design and production to better serve human needs. But with today’s limited resources – and our growing concern for the environment – designers have to use innovation and recycled materials.

A hanging lamp made of sea salt impressed visitors at the entrance of the TWTC hall. It was the perfect blend of natural materials and modern design. The appliance firm Electrolux displayed a vacuum cleaner made from colourful gravel. Used pull-up caps became trendy purses.

There were several Thai designers besides Suwan. Korakot Aromdee showed a bamboo-and-coconut floor lamp that utilised traditional kite-making techniques. It too was well received by the international crowd at the exposition.

Thitiporn Channawangsa offered a collection of “Bloom Baskets” inspired by Zen philosophy and light reflecting in water. Made with jute and water hyacinth, they demonstrated how spiritual and cultural expression converges with functionality and beauty.

Elsewhere there was a magnificent array of Chinese calligraphy, including one quoting Confucius, underscoring the journey from ancient to modern.

Huang pointed out that the exposition coincided with Taiwan’s centennial celebrations. The International Design Alliance selected its bid to host the World Design Expo from among 13 countries and 19 cities.