The Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is considered one of the most problematic invasive plant species in Europe. However, unknown to most people, the plant also has useful advantages: it is eaten as a wild vegetable in its region of origin and tea and remedies are made from its roots. Product designer Beatriz Oria Lombardía has devoted herself to the problem and, as part of her final thesis in the Faculty of Art and Design, has created a knowledge transfer project which she has titled »(non-)local lab«. The project invites individuals to participate, understand and reflect on invasive plant species issues.

»I want my experimental lab to encourage people to rethink the relationships we have with non-human others. I want people to reflect on evolving ecosystems and to question our roles within these systems«, says Lombardía, describing her approach. Lombardía has designed, planned and implemented a series of workshops based on experiments and has also developed a modular furniture system that can be used for events held in public spaces. A number of the pieces are made from or have been coloured using the plant itself. The furniture is easily assembled and disassembled, making it easy to transport and flexible to set up and use.

Workshops provide participants with the opportunity to learn about invasive plants and the controversies surrounding them. Hands-on activities, textile dyeing, paper-making and mat weaving act as multi-sensory prompts for engaging in conversation about future resources, environmental responsibility, migration and globalisation.

The Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg (MK&G) is proudly showcasing »German Design Graduates Show: Dare to Design«, which includes 47 exceptional product and industrial design projects from 23 renowned German design and art schools, including projects by the winners of the »Nachwuchs-Award«. The exhibition runs until 8 October 2023 and is initiated and curated by the German Design Graduates of the German Design Council. The annual exhibition offers insights unlike any other into the current perspectives of young designers in Germany and is being hosted for the first time by the MK&G.

The »(non-)local lab« final project was created in the Produktdesign (Product Design) programme and supervised by Jan Willmann (Professor of Theory and History of Design), Alexandra Toland (Junior Professor of Arts and Research), Susann Paduch (artistic staff member in the Department of Material and Environment), and Michael Braun (scientific employee in the Department of Theory and History of Design).

The jury in the category of »Research and Transfer« includes:
Dr. Andrea Augsten, Strategist and Design Researcher at the »Deutschen Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH« Innovation Lab and Board Member of the German Society for Design Theory and Research
Lynn Harles, Creative Engagement Manager, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin
Stephan Ott, Director of the Institute for Appliance and Research (IfDRA) of the German Design Council

German Design Graduates Show 2023: Dare to Design
1 September to 8 October 2023

Location:
Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg
Steintorplatz
20099 Hamburg
www.mkg-hamburg.de 

Opening Times:
Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Thursday, 10 am to 9 pm

Cost of Entry:
14 Euro / Concessionary 8 Euro
The first Thursday of each month is free from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Visitors under the age of 18 may enter for free.

Online tickets: tickets.mkg-hamburg.de

Questions can be directed to Romy Weinhold, Press and Public Relations Officer for the Faculty of Art and Design by phone at  +49 / 36 43 / 58 11 86 or by e-mail at romy.weinhold[at]uni-weimar.de