Driven by German Design
The exhibition “Driven by German Design” in Doha presents the diverse relationships surrounding German design since 1945: the connections between design thinking and cultural foundations, the close links between technology and design, and the interactions between designers and users. The extensive exhibition was curated by Martin Roth and takes place as part of the German-Qatari Year of Culture 2017 under the patronage of the German Embassy in Doha and the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region.
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“Driven by German Design” explores the phenomena of composition and design in Germany and their international relevance from different perspectives and within historical and contemporary contexts. The exhibition highlights the interrelations between methodical work, creativity, and the cultural background of German designers. It aims to bring the past and present of German design to life through objects ranging from automotive, product, and graphic design to architecture, furniture, and fashion.
The exhibition is structured into two interrelated areas: the “Design Lab” focuses on the design process. Every step from the initial idea to the final production of a designed object can be traced. The Design Lab offers the opportunity to experience the process of designing up close: it reveals intermediate stages along the way and presents interactive exhibits. The presentation in the Design Lab is arranged around the exhibits, which are displayed within a field composed of more than 1,000 mounted pins calculated using a computer algorithm based on parametric modelling. Based on the algorithm’s calculations, the field responds topographically to the size and shape of the exhibits, integrating them and establishing relationships between them. This shifts the focus onto the objects themselves and away from the display structure.
Five “Period Rooms” trace the development of German design from 1945 to the present. They form a journey through time and allow visitors to step into the intertwined evolution of zeitgeist and design. The exhibitions in the Period Rooms are connected by continuous large-scale film projections that fill the spaces. These films feature designers as protagonists and give them the opportunity to speak about their work. The interplay of design, social demands, and historical developments becomes a powerful emotional experience through the combination of historical exhibits and the surrounding media.
