DESIGN MATCH 2006 CZE:SVK

From April 20 to May 21, 2006, within the art & interior7 exhibition complex, a unique exhibition of Czech and Slovak design titled DESIGN MATCH with the subtitle CZE:SVK is taking place in the spaces of the Trade Fair Palace, offering a rare opportunity to see the works of design students alongside those of professional designers from both countries.
The DESIGN MATCH 2006 CZE:SVK exhibition is organized by AC EXPO and Tech&Line in collaboration with the National Gallery in Prague, the Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art, and CZECHDESIGN.CZ, which is also the author of the concept. Lubica Fábri from Design Slovakia and Ferdinand Chrenka, head of the Industrial Design studio at VŠVU in Bratislava, also contributed to the organization. The exhibition aims to become, as the title suggests, a unique confrontation between Czech and Slovak design from recent years, encompassing both student and professional design. It offers visitors to the Trade Fair Palace a presentation in the area of Lifestyle (interior design, fashion, and jewelry). Curators arrange the exhibits so that each country is represented by one designer, creating a confrontational environment CZE:SVK. DESIGN MATCH is located in the mezzanine of the Trade Fair Palace, on the balcony and in the respire. The graphic and architectural design of the exhibition helps evoke a sporting atmosphere. The exhibition is designed for both discerning viewers and professionals, as well as for laypeople. The authors of the concept hope that the confrontational positioning of two works will encourage the general public to reflect on the design process. Detailed comments from designers about their exhibits facilitate a better understanding of the creative process and opinions of the exhibitors. Designers are introduced on the balcony through short interviews. The same questions are asked, not only concerning their creations but also regarding the taste sophistication of Czechs and Slovaks.
The exhibition starts with a unique game designed for visitors. It is followed by two Halves (the First Half is dedicated to a confrontation of student design, while in the Second Half, professional designers from both countries compete). In both Halves, a total of 16 students and 16 professionals are presented. Each designer is paired—one from the Czech Republic and one from the Slovak Republic. The search for suitable pairs took curators two months of discussions and searches.
The break between the halves offers visitors, similar to sports, a Time Out. Here, visitors can comfortably settle into large cushions and relax to films with design themes.
During the Set Time, visitors to the Trade Fair Palace will encounter fashion—namely with garments, shoes, accessories, and jewelry, which is an integral part of lifestyle and thematically complements the exhibition. Current fashion creations are presented through projections of fashion photography by students and professionals from both countries. In total, 40 creators are showcased in this way. The projections have already garnered significant acclaim as a source of current events in the fashion industry.
The final highlight of the exhibition is the Extension. Its concept is authored by Ferdinand Chrenka. The Extension includes exhibits made from traditional materials, created using traditional techniques, emphasizing the importance of tradition and highlighting the common cultural foundation of Czechs and Slovaks, linking the thematic significance of all parts of the exhibition—Czech student design, Czech professional design, Slovak student design, Slovak professional design, and issues surrounding identity. Here too, the audience can watch an interesting projection of several films from Slovakia.
The DESIGN MATCH 2006 CZE:SVK exhibition brings new inspiration and many unexpected stimuli to participating designers, students, and creators, as well as professional visitors and the general public, who will likely appreciate the playfulness and sporting spirit of this unique event. A total of 105 exhibitors are participating in the exhibition.
The exhibition features the most current works possible. Many are presented in their first prototypes. Some received awards in early April in the Excellent Product of the Year 2006 competition from the Design Center of the Czech Republic (chairs NO4S-Jerry Koza, Bar Tool Set - Ladislav Škoda, Porcelain Set Tom - Jiří Laštovička). Mr. Egg by Olgoj Chorchoj not only received the Good Design award from the Design Center of the Czech Republic but was also awarded at this year's Frankfurt Ambiente fair with the DESIGN+ award. The Washman washing machine by Jan Čapek and Kryštof Nosál took second place in the 2004 international "Electrolux Design Lab" competition, and it is displayed here alongside the Slovak washing machine from the same competition.
Awards from the National Design Award 2006 competition from the Slovak Design Center were given to displayed works such as the ViBeau Collection - Andrea Krajčíková and the Lighting Collection - Šimon Mišurda. The Go Create ring by Peter Janík received 1st place in the prestigious international II. Tahitian Pearl Trophy/Contest-International.
At this year's awards ceremony, the Design Center of the Czech Republic awarded the Civil Association CZECHDESIGN.CZ for Design Promotion.
A separate comprehensive catalog has been published for the exhibition, containing comments on all exhibits and fashion collections. The catalog, with comments directly from the authors, thus becomes an important record of current thinking in design and fashion.
The organizers of DESIGN MATCH would like to hold the exhibition at the National Gallery in Prague as a biennial event, now already with a defined theme for the next year.

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Exhibition organizers: AC ECPO, National Gallery in Prague, Tech&line
Co-organizers of the exhibition: CZECHDESIGN.CZ, Design Slovakia, Jan Kremláček, doc. akad. soch. Ferdinand Chrenka
Exhibition concept: CZECHDESIGN.CZ, o.s. (Jan Brožek, MgA. Veronika Loušová, Lucie Marková, Jana Vinšová), Jan Kremláček
Exhibition architecture: CZECHDESIGN.CZ, o.s. (Jan Brožek, MgA. Veronika Loušová )
Architecture and concept of the extension: doc. akad. soch. Ferdinand Chrenka, Lucia Karpitová
Implementation team of the extension SVK: doc. akad. soch. Ferdinand Chrenka, Lucia Karpitová, Barbora Kamrlová, Milan Novosedliak, Boris Belán
Curatorial selection of CZE designers: CZECHDESIGN.CZ, o.s.
Curatorial selection of SVK students: doc. akad. soch. Ferdinand Chrenka
Curatorial selection of SVK designers: ing. arch. Lubica Fábri
Curatorial selection of CZE fashion: Lucie Marková
Curatorial selection of SVK fashion: Martin Varholík, ing. arch. Lubica Fábri
Curatorial selection of SVK student fashion: doc. akad. soch. Ferdinand Chrenka
Curatorial selection of CZE films: Jan Kremláček
Curatorial selection of SVK films: doc. akad. soch. Ferdinand Chrenka
Curatorial oversight for NG: ing. arch. Radomíra Sedláková
Exhibition graphics: Jan Kremláček

Patronage of the exhibition:
Ladislav Ballek, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic in the Czech Republic
Ing. Jirko Malchárek, Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic
Design Center of the Czech Republic
ÚLUV

The exhibition organizers would like to thank all partners and sponsors who helped realize the exhibition.