The National Gallery of Zimbabwe will run a month long exhibition with HOUSE BY THE SEA design products. The exhibition, called: Fair Danish Design, will showwcase products that came out of design workshops held with Danish designers and Zimbabwean Shona art sculptors.
HOUSE BY THE SEA facilitated the unique collaboration to exchange knowledge, skills and introduce new production methods while creating innovative design products which unites elements of the two cultures.
“The design products that we will showcase are a demonstration of a fruitful cultural exchange between related professionals across tradition, geography, nationality and cultural references. The workshop also raised awareness on Danish requirements for design, quality and delivery and how products are marketed. In addition, we also exchanged knowledge on the potential and challenges related to production and sales in Denmark and Europe,” said Alice Jul.
In a statement, National Gallery executive director Doreen Sibanda said, “Design permeates every area of everyone’s lives and is a key component in the drive to distinguish the Zimbabwean brand on an international platform. We should use this as a call for more research into Zimbabwe traditional design practice if we are to underpin local design with research and identification of the Zimbabwean aesthetic.”
Commenting on the initiative, the head of mission at the Royal Danish Embassy Office, Signe Winding Albjerg said, “By facilitating this collaboration House By The Sea has ensured a productive partnerhip, which combines shona stone art with functional Danish design and principles on sustainable production and fair trade of art. The designs are a testimony of how Danish and Zimbabwean culture can inspire each other to create relationships, where both partners benefit from the mutual cultural exchange.”