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Modern design reveals glimpses of future
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THE setting itself says something. In the former Hangzhou Boiler Factory, an exhibition of modern design themed “Before/After” was staged. The message: China’s smokestack past is being transformed into an industrial future based on technology and creative thinking.
The 2015 Asian Design Forum, which ended last week, was part of Hangzhou’s annual West Lake International Expo. It attracted 50,000 visitors and 7,000 professionals.
The forum featured brands such as Lenovo and Wanda, creative apps like Uber and design firms serving business and fashion. The accent was on practical design ideas and products.
“Some people misunderstand and think that design is only to make things prettier, but today, design actually strengthens business competitiveness by solving very practical problems,” said Yao Yingjia, vice president of Lenovo, which recently unveiled a 9-millimeter-thick laptop, thinnest in the world so far.
The exhibition offered glimpses of the way we will live our daily lives in the future.
A paint company showcased fragrant walls, with paints scented in lavender and mint. A vase designer exhibited vessels that were half celadon and half a bare earth material. Another designer showed incense holders that control smoke levels.
A “smart” suitcase invented by 20-year-old Zheng Yimin can automatically follow its owner.
Its surface plays music and videos, and gives the temperature and pollution readings of outside air.
Also on display was a sensor, which acts as a remote babysitter, sending messages to parents’ phones about the condition and location of a baby. It also acts as a GPS.
The admission fee for visitors was 1,000 yuan (US$156).
Such professional-oriented events are becoming more frequent during the West Lake International Expo, which also hosted the likes of the China International Asset Management Conference, the Computing Conference and the Culture of Waste Resources Forum.
Indeed, more than half of the 35 programs held under the auspices of expo were neither sponsored nor organized by the Hangzhou government. The Computing Conference was hosted by Alibaba, and the Chinese Annual Forum 2015 was organized by the Financial Times.
Still, expo is a platform for selling ideas and products. Organizers said the 17-day event generated more than 1 billion yuan of business and attracted foreign investment of about US$100 million.
A five-day car exhibition sold over 4,000 vehicles, and even a three-day food festival chalked up revenue of 3 million yuan.
The annual expo grows in stature by the year. The 2015 event drew 8 million people from China and overseas. The Computing Conference alone attracted 20,000 tech professionals and 3,000 companies.
Cultural exchange is also an important element. Hangzhou International Day sponsored exhibitions of French and Italian photography.
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