The Designer of the Year Award traditionally celebrates an internationally acclaimed designer or studio whose assembly of work illustrates unprecedented quality, innovation, and significance, while challenging design boundaries. Previous winners include Zaha Hadid, Marc Newson, Tokujin Yoshioka, the Campana Brothers, and Maarten Baas.
Grcic founded his company, Konstantin Grcic
Industrial Design, in 1991 and has garnered worldwide esteem from his
work in the fields of furniture and product design to exhibition
undertakings and architecturally-oriented work. Not only is Grcic
considered one of the most influential designers, but he also has been
recognized for his methodical and boundless approach to industrial
design. Both his 360 degree stool and 360 degree chair have a home in
the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art. Earlier
this year, Grcic won Wallpaper's Furniture Designer of the Year Award.
As Acting Director of Design Miami, Wava Carpenter
was part of a selection committee that chose Grcic. Commenting on his
win: "Once nominated, our jury unanimously voted for Grcic -- a clear
testament to the strength of his work both throughout his career and
over the last twelve months. Konstantin's work in the last year has
demonstrated his incredible range and prolific talent."
The installation will be exhibited in the courtyard of Design Miami's
outdoor area with a temporary tent created by design studio Moorhead & Moorhead.
Grcic's work is considered functional and interactive; the artist
created a six-point, star-shaped structure from which 24 netted seats
will hang.
According to Grcic, the installation has a story behind it:
"I knew that I wanted to create something special for the
fair--something functional, but also something that incorporated my
ideas of what a place like Miami is like in December. The idea for the
commission was fairly immediate because the tent design by Moorhead
& Moorhead really lent itself to a project like this. It's a space
for people to enjoy."
In collaboration with Netscape,
an exhibition of Grcic's previous work, including his preferred and
most significant, will also be featured inside the fair. In total, 15
works will be presented. "I wanted to create a display that celebrates
the objects that allowed me to win this wonderful award," comments
Grcic. Some of the pieces are: The Blow Table for Established & Sons, The Miura Bar Stool for Plank, and The Tip Waste Bin for Authentics.
Along with TheCrane.tv, Design Miami has produced two films on the award-winning artist, his Netscape installment, and a chronicle of Design Miami. The videos can be watched here and here. The Design Miami show will run from December 1 through 5 in a lot adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center (Meridian Avenue and 19th Street in Miami Beach), and general admission tickets cost $25.
