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African Culture and Design Festival
The Interior
Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) is billed to host the 2017 edition of
World Design Congress/ General Assembly of the International Federation of
Interior Architects/Designs (IFI). This was disclosed at a meeting with the
press, where the body unveiled the programmes.
The General
Assembly of IFI, which is its highest governing authority holds biennially and
it is attended by members of its executive board, past presidents, members and
external stakeholders from member-countries and the event is usually a closed
meeting.
The
Congress, which will hold in November, will see hundreds of design
professionals from about 110 countries converging in Nigeria to discuss the
theme of ‘’World-Class Design in Regional Markets: Interior Architecture/Design
into the Future.” Indeed, the Nigerian interior design industry appears set for
interesting times ahead.
According to
Titi Ogufere, President of IDAN, the interior design industry in Nigeria has
certainly come of age, with the entry of more professionals who are introducing
bespoke aesthetics that are turning residential apartments and corporate
offices into attractive living and work spaces for satisfied clients. Founded
in 2007, the association is the national umbrella body for the interior design
profession. As the national body, IDAN represents members, including fully
qualified interior designers, interior decorators, suppliers of interior design
products and finishing companies.
Going down
memory lane, Ogufere recounts that IDAN started in 2007 as a vision, which she
shared with Ekuah Abudu. Subsequently, Ogufere approached other industry
leaders such as Muni Shonibare, who served as the first president of IDAN,
followed by Anselm Tabansi who was the second president, Moni Fagbemi, Sarah
Daniels and Debola Omooba who served as initial board members of the
association. Another significant contributor to the successful establishment of
the association is Oliver Enwonwu. The renowned artist brought his wealth of
experience working with NGOs to guide the process of setting up the association.
Over the
past 10 years the association has grown significantly from a handful of members
who started from a small office on Lewis street to an association which
organises world class exhibitions, conferences, has it’s president sitting on
the board of the international federation of interior architects/ designers and
played an instrumental role towards putting together the first interior design
curriculum in collaboration with university of Lagos, amongst others. It is in
recognition of this remarkable growth in recent years, that the local body is
hosting the entire world.
According to
IDAN, IFI was founded in 1963 as the sole global voice and authority for the
interiors profession and is regarded as the “UN of Interiors.” Interestingly,
the federation, which represents and reaches out to members in some 120
countries, is strategically located close to the United Nations in New York
City. It elevates standards for more than 270,000 designers, educators and
industry stakeholders, as well as for governmental, promotional and
institutional constituencies around the world.
Ogufere, who
also doubles as an executive board member of IFI representing Africa and the
Middle East, says Nigeria is excited and prepared to host design professionals
from other parts of the world.
“Hosting of
the congress represents an incredible opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its
cultural heritage and indigenous designs to the rest of the world. Being one of
the biggest design events in the world, it is expected to bring together major
industry players from across the globe that will be looking to Nigeria for
opportunities and inspiration” she added.
In order to
make the event a memorable one, IDAN has set up a tested and experienced
executive team, comprising led by the IDAN president, president of the
association and Director of the African Culture and Design Festival, Ify
Ighodalo; chairman of the event planning committee, Tola Akerele; Secretary
General, Bunmi Ajagbe; Treasurer, Theresa Akpieyi; PRO with a seven-man committee.
Also, in the
bid to ensure that the event is world-class in organisation, service providers
who are noted to be among the best in their various fields have been engaged.
Some of the service providers include; Eventful, Senantra, Demenage Plus, Okhma,
Woodmore Associate, Geekconnect and Future Software Resources Ltd.
Ogufere
noted that the congress has the backing of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi
Ambode, a man who is without doubt committed to the promotion of art and design
in the state. She explains that the governor has shown a keen interest in
ensuring that Lagos is recognised internationally as a city with unique
artistic and cultural offerings. Ambode has also expressed a desire for Lagos
to emerge as a great rival to other design state capitals around the world,
says the IDAN President. The event is supported by the Ministry of Trade,
Industry and Investment, Ministry of Information and Culture and Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
On the
importance of the event IDAN said it will not only establish Lagos as a
cultural hub, but it will also promote the African continent by exposing,
redefining, rebranding and creating awareness of Africa’s homegrown creative
talents.
Recognised
as a key event for promoting dialogue between designers and design-related
stakeholders, including government, business, technology providers and
educators, the IFI World Design Congress aims to foster collaboration among
various design disciplines, highlight the value of design-based collaboration
in other fields and serve as the global voice of design innovation. Keynote
speeches will be delivered across the design disciplines and the meeting will
debate the global social responsibility of the industry and plot the future of
design excellence.
Ogufere
added that IFI has carefully selected experts from four different regions:
Africa, Europe, America and Asia to attend the event as keynote speakers. They
are Sir David Adjaye, Kunle Adeyemi, Alfredo Brillembourg, Dr. Carol Becker and
Dr. Lou Yongq. The president was elated to share the fact that a special
highlight of the event will be the African Culture and Design Festival (ACDF),
an exhibition of traditional African art as well as modern and contemporary art
and design.
The ACDF
exhibition is themed “This is Africa” and will feature renowned African
curators, artists and designers. It will explore the artistic history of the
continent and chart the future of design, she reiterated.
“As Director
of the exhibition and curator of the Design Pavilion, we will showcase the very
best of contemporary designs from Africa to some respected and established
designers and architects. The pavilion will include original pieces of
furniture, installations, design objects, lighting and textile.’’
“The Modern
& Contemporary African Arts Pavilion will showcase paintings, photographs,
video art, installations and sculpture from some of Africa’s leading modern and
contemporary artists and will be curated by world acclaimed curator Bisi Silva.”
Azu Nwagbogu will curate the video art installation.
‘’The
Traditional African Art Pavilion will also showcase bronze works, head dresses,
beaded bags, sculpture, masks as well as doors sourced from the National
Museum, including the celebrated Femi Akinsanya Collections and will be curated
by the past curator from the National Museum, Ronke Ashaye,’’ Ogufere enthused.
The IDAN
President notes that the aesthetics of traditional African sculpture became a
powerful influence among European artists who formed an avant-garde movement in
the development of modern art in the early 1900s. During the period, artists
like Picasso who knew nothing of the original meaning and function of African
art and sculptures drew inspiration from what they saw. She added that
modern-day designers like Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier and other
world-renowned artists and designers are still drawing inspiration from Africa.
Guardian
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