Design Manchester 2014: 10x10

By Lee Isherwood | Last updated 16 September 2014

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From Thursday 18th August, this year’s Design Manchester’s 10 x 10 exhibition launches at Federation House, with the support of Castlefield Gallery’s New Art Spaces and G.F Smith Papers. The collaborative exhibition marks the launch of Manchester’s annual creative festival Design Manchester.

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10 x 10 is the product of Manchester’s creative community, which sees local artists and designers collaborate with creatives from varying disciplines. Each unusual partnership culminates in innovative and imaginative works, including a key piece from Brendan Dawes, who has drawn his creative inspiration from Mancunian musicians including Joy Division, Elbow and The Smiths to create beautiful physical sculptures that depict the sound waves of some of their greatest songs.

The collection works as a creative platform for Manchester’s homegrown talent on a national and international scale, as the works will be showcased via all Design Manchester’s channels with a home on the website (www.designmcr.com).

10 x 10 – a selection

1 x 10
Sonic Sculptures. By Brendan Dawes
As a series of seven vibrantly coloured code-generated models, Sonic Sculptures is a visual and physical representation of sound. Brendan has worked with music from legendary Manchester artists including The Smiths, Joy Division, Bee Gees, Inspiral Carpets and 808 State, using 3D printing technology to craft each song into a bright and unique sculpture.

2 x 10
‘Wow, just imagine’. By Micah Purnell, Oliver James (Affluenza), Neil Boorman (Bonfire of the Brands) and Steve Lambert
Micah Purnell has collaborated with author, TV producer and psychologist Oliver James, author and journalist Neil Boorman and award-winning artist and speaker Steve Lambert, each of whom have specially written quotes that will be interpreted into David Carson-inspired photocopy print works to explore the effect of visual noise on our imaginations.

3 x 10
School of Imagination. By Textbook Studio and Jane Bowyer

Working with local designer and illustrator Jane Bowyer, Textbook Studio has developed a prospectus for an invented School of Imagination, a project resulting in two laser-etched slate Maxifestos, a custom handmade hard-backed Manifesto, plus 100 A6 Minifestos that will be free for visitors to take away.

The festival
Design Manchester (21 – 30th October, 2014) is a creative festival celebrating creativity, collaboration and inclusivity in the worlds of art, design, illustration, film, animation and photography, returning for an extended run across ten days following the success of 2013’s inaugural festival.

Working closely with lead sponsor the Manchester School of Art and partnering with Manchester Science Festival, Design Manchester will showcase Manchester’s own talented creative community, as well as welcome UK and internationally renowned speakers to the city including Michael C Place (Build), Ross Phillips, Rejane Dal Bello, Andy Nicholson.

The festival, curated with ambassador Malcolm Garrett, is a series of inspirational talks and debates, interactive workshops and stimulating exhibitions on the theme of the Science of Imagination, held in Manchester Town Hall and various venues across the city.

For further information and updates on Design Manchester please visit:
www.designmcr.com