This week is all about design – 360 Design Budapest has kicked off

The 360 Design Budapest regional design exhibition by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA) has started, rendering Adria Palace the centre of the unique and groundbreaking world of design between the 17^th and the 22^nd of October. The audience can see the works of over 60 well-known and emerging Hungarian and regional creators in an exclusive concept where past, present, and future meet in a reinterpretation of different artistic visions.

An important novelty of the programme series, held for the fourth time in 2023, is that industrial and fine artists are joining the circle of exhibitors alongside product designers. The curator of the exhibition, Gáspár Bonta, has prepared a spectacular concept: the rich design history and industrial art heritage of Hungary and the region is coming to life in three installation spaces mixed with contemporary creations.

We have received applications in a higher number than ever from the artistic scene, from which, again, a professional jury selected the pieces to be introduced at the exhibition. Over 200 creations by more than 60 designers and artists including 15 young talents, are displayed, from different countries of the region, including Czech, Austrian, Polish, Ukrainian and Croatian product designers and artists. As part of the collaboration with the Museum of Applied Arts, following previous years’ traditions, selected artworks strengthen further the exhibition’s concept drawing on cultural traditions and change.

The audience can also meet one of the most recognised icons of the international design industry. The manufacturer-designer duos of the design LAB curated by Rossana Orlandi 2023 edition will present their development plans on Thursday at 360 Design Budapest; then, Rossana Orlandi will have a conversation with young people and emerging talents interested in design. Continuing the list of international presenters, 6AM: Glassworks Italian design brand’s creative founder duo, Edoardo Pandolfo and Francesco Palù, will unveil an exciting fusion of craftsmanship and a modern approach to design in a panel discussion.

Gáspár Bonta, the curator of 360 Design Budapest; Priszcilla Varga, stylist and art director; Nóra Winkler, cultural expert; Judit Horváth, museologist and curator, Head of the Department of the Contemporary Design Collection of the Museum of Applied Arts; Anna Kelen, leading art historian of Virág Judit Galéria; and Iván Vitáris, singer and frontman of the band Ivan & The Parazol will give exclusive guided tours at the exhibition. You can even get to know the creators and Hungarian manufacturers appearing at the venue for the first time at the Meet the Designer and Meet the Manufacturers programmes.

During the event’s week, you can join different side events as well in several points of the capital; for instance, the internationally acknowledged Italian design brand, 6AM: Glassworks, will organise a pop-up programme in the Code Showroom. The Független Iparművészeti Kortárs Szalon (FIKSZ) and Virág Judit Galéria, where you can also visit the Zsolnay exhibition, a real speciality, further diversify the palette. At the Inside Art / Building on Art Hungary professional day, held in collaboration with Art Market Budapest, experts will discuss how art appearing in public spaces can represent value in communities. One of the most spectacular elements of the partnership is the design tram in the capital, which transports us on tram line 2 between the venues of Art Market Budapest and 360 Design Budapest.

Thanks to the fact that, in addition to the professional programmes, 360 Design Budapest is realised with cultural, touristic, and educational institutions and construction industry and design enterprises, it has become an unmatched design programme series in the region, which is also under the spotlight of the international press. 

360 Design Budapest aims to make Hungarian and regional creative designers more widely known, help domestic design brands enter the international market, and introduce new, innovative, sustainable directions. The professional community has awarded the exhibition various times throughout the past few years: Alongside the Red Dot award, it was also on the podium in two categories in the A’ Design Award & Competition and won a gold medal in the Virtual Expo category and a bronze award in Art Event category at the eleventh Global Eventex Awards from the 600 entries.

The cooperating partners of the event series are Art Market Budapest, the Museum of Applied Arts, Czechdesign, Code Showroom, JAB Anstoetz Group, Max City, Virág Judit Galéria, FIKSZ and Roadster magazine.

You can find detailed information about the exhibitors and the programmes on the event’s website, where you can register for the events. We are looking forward to seeing you there!