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Silent Revolutions / Contemporary Design in Slovenia
UGM | Maribor Art Gallery, Strossmayerjeva 6
opening: Saturday, 16 June 2012 at 19:00
opening speakers: Mitja Čander, programme director of ECoC Maribor 2012 and Matevž Čelik, director of MAO, Museum of Architecture and Design

After successful international presentations the exhibition of contemporary Slovene design is on view at the Maribor Art Gallery. The Silent Revolutions comprises a selection of design that marks the first two decades of this young European country. The exhibition’s title Silent Revolutions portrays Slovenia as a country with exceptional design history, which has not (yet) established itself as an important design location in the wider European context. This “silence” was one of the reasons why we conceived this exhibition with a broad range of recent products in dialogue with five historical, iconic objects. Another aspect of the “revolution” from the title draws attention to the fact that several exhibits set new global standards with break-through innovations.

The exhibition does not focus only on the excellence of individual products, but also on their position in the broader context of contemporary Slovene design. This context changed considerably with the declaration of Slovenia’s independence in 1991 and with the sudden leap to a new free-market economy that followed. Therefore the exhibition does not only present products and designers, but also clients, producers and companies that paid an important, crucial role in the implementation of projects. It illuminates innovative approaches, new development trends, unusual visions, a new design mentality and good strategic navigation in the present, constantly changing economic conditions. The selection encompasses products of large industries with their own trademarks and objects that in small series are manufactured by designers themselves. The exhibition presents vital differences that reflect the exceptionality and variety of the moment as the main common denominator of contemporary product design in Slovenia.

Featured designers
: Igor Akrapovič, Asobi, Bevk Perović Architects, Lara Bohinc, Ivo Boscarol, Gigodesign, Gorenje Design Studio, Jernej and Japec Jakopin, Leonora Jakovljević, Kabinet 01, Toni Kancilja, Rok Kuhar and Katjuša Kranjc, Franc Kuzma, Studio Miklavc, Rok Oblak, Oloop, Tanja Pak, Marko Pavlinec, Janez Suhadolc, Arne Vehovar, Nika Zupanc, Peter Florjančič, Niko Kralj, Saša J. Mächtig, Davorin Savnik, Marko Turk

Featured companies: Akrapovič, Alpina, Lara Bohinc, Elan, Glesia, Gorenje, Intra lighting, Kuzma, La Femme et la Maison by Nika Zupanc, Leonora Mark – ave femina, Pipistrel, Seaway Group, Stol & Stol, Tehnos, Trimo, Vertigo Bird, Zilio Aldo & C. sas, Iskra, Imgrad, Stol Kamnik, Elektroacoustics Laboratory (EAL)

curator: Maja Vardjan
production: MAO, Museum for architecture and design, Ljubljana
coordinators of the exhibition: Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments, Government Communication Office

Presentation of the exhibits
www.silentrevolutions.si
www.maribor2012.eu