DESIGN Canberra—it’s party time

Posted on 4 November, 2019

DESIGN Canberra is our city’s favourite celebration of all things design. So there must be a party— and best of all, everyone is invited.

One of the highlights of the 2019 DESIGN Canberra festival program is the Festival Opening Party and Auction—and everyone is invited!

The event, called UTOPIA, will be held after dark at the iconic Fitters Workshop on Friday 8 November.

The festival opening party is one of the biggest events of the DESIGN Canberra festival program and will feature music, food, local wines and brews and experimental lighting design.

Plus there’ll be lucky door prizes of an iconic F!NK jug, wines, brews and gift vouchers for design lovers.

A previous DESIGN Canberra Auction Launch Party. Credit: 5foot Photography.

The opening party and auction gives design-lovers the chance to have their own piece of contemporary Canberra design. Limited edition and one-off pieces from Canberra’s leading designers will be open for bidding on the auction website.

“We have selected some of the most exciting designers from the Canberra region across a range of mediums to feature new work in the 2019 DESIGN Canberra festival opening party and auction,” says Rachael Coghlan CEO of Craft ACT and Artistic Director of DESIGN Canberra.

“Last year’s event was a huge success—the event sold out and the works sold on the night. UTOPIA in 2019 will be no exception.”

A previous DESIGN Canberra Auction Launch Party. Credit: 5foot Photography.

Previous opening parties have booked out so design (and party) lovers are encouraged to purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment.

The online auction is at 32auctions.com/designcanberra2018. Bidding will open on 1 November until Friday 8 November at around 9.30 pm.

Works will be on show at Level 1 Monaro Mall, Canberra Centre, in the week leading up to the auction.

Featured UTOPIA designers and auction work

Anna Gianakis | Daniel Leone | DesignByThem | Estelle Briedis | Endure Designs | Gilbert Riedelbauch | Girl Nomad Ceramics | Kenny Son | Kristina Neumann | Krystal Hurst | Lisa Cahill | Mel Douglas | Phoebe Porter | Thor Diesendorf + Dan Lorrimer | Tom Skeehan | René Linssen | Rolf Barfoed | Wayne Simon

DL Lounge Chair, Black saddle leather with polished chrome steel frame. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

Collision Tray. Estelle Briedis. Screen printed panel on marine ply with powder coated steel edge and handles. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

Ceramic Platter, Girl Nomad Ceramics. Stoneware clay. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

Small Solid Hoops, Kristina Neumann. 925 Silver. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

Original Continuous Hoops, Kristina Neumann. Stainless steel, wire. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

In the distance #11, Lisa Cahill. Kiln formed glass panels with photographic decal. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

Messa Vase Set II, René Linssen. Glass, wood. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

NAVE Side Table, Tom Skeehan. Mild Steel, Powdercoat. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

NAVE Armchair, Tom Skeehan. Mild Steel, Powdercoat, Leather. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

OTHER WORKS

• Rainbow Serpent. Wayne Simon. Silver.
• doubletake, Mel Douglas. Glass drawing on paper, Framed.
• Cubist Studs, Phoebe Porter. Titanium, aluminium, 925 silver.
• Unfold bracelet, Phoebe Porter. Titanium, aluminium, 925 silver.
• Hidden Line earrings, Phoebe Porter. Aluminium, titanium, stainless steel.
• 4590 Table + Stools, Thor Diesendorf + Dan Lorrimer. Stainless steel and timber.
• Messa Vase Set I, René Linssen. Glass, wood.
• Balans, René Linssen. Timber, upholstery.
• Bar Stool, Rolf Barfoed. Wood.
•  Bubble Ring, Krystal Hurst. Oxidised metal.
• IBSA Sausage (Brooch), Kenny Son. Mild-steel, 999 Silver & 925 Silver.
• Parliament of Australia, Kenny Son. Mild-steel and 999 Silver (framed).
• Beaker Line Blend I, Anna Gianakis. Slipcast porcelain.
• Beaker Line Blend II, Anna Gianakis. Slipcast porcelain.
• Terracotta Jug. Daniel Leone. Terracotta jug with porcelain slip.
• Big White Jug. Daniel Leone. Stoneware.
• 4 Star black, Gilbert Riedelbauch. Composite aluminium.
• Keystone Collection: Short Stool in Black Ace, Endure Designs. Powder coated steel.

the essentials

What: UTOPIA: Design. Auction. Party
When: Friday 8 November Time from 8 pm
Where: Fitters Workshop
Tickets: $25 via designcanberrafestival.com.au (or $35 at the door)

About DESIGN Canberra

DESIGN Canberra is an annual festival which celebrates and promotes Canberra as a global city of design. Design is in Canberra’s DNA. From the time of Walter and Marion Griffin’s visionary design a century ago, to iconic experimental modernist architecture of the 1950s and 60s, through to contemporary and sustainable design developments today, Canberra has always been a living design laboratory.

Throughout November 2019, over 200 events, exhibitions, talks, tours, markets, artist studios and open homes will be showcased as DESIGN Canberra.

The festival is for all interests and ages and most events are free. Last year a record 112,000 people attended the festival.

Presented by Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre in association with a range of incredible design-loving partners including HerCanberra.

Program and tickets now online: designcanberrafestival.com.au

Feature image: A previous DESIGN Canberra Auction Launch Party. Credit: 5foot Photography.

HerCanberra is a proud media partner of DESIGN Canberra 2019.