The Designing Identity / Identity of Design Competition
The Designing Identity / Identity of Design Competition Idea The first phase of the OperaLab Project realised by Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa (Grand Theatre – National Opera House) and BMW is the Designing Identity / Identity of Design Competition. The aim of the contest is to present the latest examples of model and architectural design in the context of the space of one of the most important interiors of Polish art – Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa. The intention of the organisers is to show the possibilities of building relations between various disciplines of art. Each competition category is based on strong relations, which occur between the form and the idea in the course of the creative process. A confrontation of these elements can produce identity – a characteristic component or a set of components, allowing easy decoding and identification of a product or architectural space with specific values. A changing city, as a complex structure, offers an arena for thousands of such elements. The point of reference for the designers will be a selected group of terms, acting as a road sign for the design process. The chosen code-words are: identity, heritage, brand, image, style, function, limitation, prestige, availability, quality. The best works will be selected by a jury made up of experts in arts, design and science. Their participation allows effective utilisation of the potential of the project, as they support it with their knowledge and experience. Co-operation, understood as an exchange of thoughts and a combination of different artistic and scientific disciplines for the purpose of seeking unusual solutions, forms the gist of the OperaLab Project.
Categorie Architecture Pavilion – Mobile Ideas The aim of the competition is the selection and realisation of the concept of a mobile pavilion, allowing the OperaLab Project to perform a number of artistic and intellectual activities – from exhibition presentations, through film screenings, ballet and opera presentations, to concerts and discussion panels. The form of the pavilion should communicate the innovative character of the project, amalgamating many artistic disciplines and carry the identity of Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa and BMW, creating a dialogue with the urban space. The open character of the pavilion should encourage performing activities and allow easy interaction. According to the assumptions of the competition for the design of a mobile exhibition pavilion, constituting the core of the activity of OperaLab the pavilion should be built from renewable materials and its structure should be flexible and easy to assemble and dismantle. An important aspect of the project is a creative reference to the architectural identity of Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa and its interpretation using modern forms of expression and the idea of innovative mobility – the identity core of the BMW brand. The mobile pavilion should consist of modules, so that it can be easily adapted both in an open urban space and indoors, with particular emphasis put on the space of Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa. The structure of the pavilion should be based on easy transformation, allowing a wide range of activities, including exhibitions, organisation of meetings, film screenings or the organisation of intimate shows. The production cost should not exceed PLN 200,000.
Functional and ideological assumptions the pavilion should be characterised by timeless architecture using modern technological solutions. Due to the strategic role played in the Polish culture by Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa, the pavilion should refer to its identity, seeking a dialogue in timeless solutions and ideas. It should combine in an innovative way the identity of the location with contemporary formal and technological solutions, the pavilion should consist of separate modules, which, when put together, make up a complete structure, still allowing variant use (individual elements should have the functionality of internal exhibition modules), the pavilion will be used outdoors during the spring and summer season, the pavilion’s structure should be flexible, easy to adapt to the needs of various cultural activities, the usable floorage has been set at 150 m², the pavilion should be ecological, the pavilion should be technologically feasible, the costs of erecting the pavilion should not exceed PLN 200,000, the functional arrangement should provide for space that is easy to arrange and have technical and administrative amenities not exceeding 15 m², the pavilion should allow easy installation of multimedia equipment, one of the walls should have the function of an interactive multimedia booth, with independent access, the pavilion as a concept should come with the interior design and furnishing which could be used in the open space in front of the pavilion, the structure of the pavilion should be designed using renewable materials, the pavilion should have facilities for the disabled.
Design Category Product for Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa Design play with identity The idea of creating a dedicated product line stems from the deep grounding in own identity and heritage, typical of Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa, and the striving towards innovation of the BMW brand. The product should build relations between Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa and BMW. The idea is to seek relations between art and individual mobility. It is important to create a whole environment for the design. For this reason comprehensive identification and packaging of the product should be taken into account. The subject matter of the contest is the design of two products from a product line signed with the OperaLab brand. The designs should refer to the identity of the brands of Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa and BMW and be innovatively inspired by their heritage, creating a modern product of high aesthetic and functional values. Elements of the architecture, interior design and history of the building of Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa and designs of the BMW Group will provide inspiration and the point of reference in the process of designing the products. Thanks to this a strong identity of the place and a
characteristic, unique and modern product will be created. Apart from purely aesthetic advantages, this correlation is also of considerable educational value. Functional and ideological assumptions the product is addressed to a narrow target group able to understand the aesthetic context and easily decode meanings associated with various disciplines of art, to people of discerning taste, the product should combine an innovative idea with good functionality, the product should come with a designed packaging (box + bag) and comprehensive visual identification, the product should be associated with the Opera House, the product should have mobile functionality, the product should be made of high quality materials and be exclusive. Exhibition The competition will end with a presentation of the award-winning designs. The purpose of the exhibition is to put together the concepts developed by the winning studios and individual designers. It is difficult to predict the character of the concepts proposed by the contest participants. A possibility to show the diversity of the design methods and strategies seems to be the most interesting aspect. An awards presentation gala will be held during the opening of the exhibition.