All of the designs to receive Delta Awards over the last fifty years are being exhibited together, for the first time, in this exhibition at the Palau Robert in Barcelona dedicated to industrial design. The Government of Catalonia, with the collaboration of the Industrial Design for Development of Decorative Arts Association (ADI-FAD), has organised this exhibition, called “Delta Awards: 50 Years with Design 1960-2010”, which brings together the designs that have received Delta Awards since 1961. The exhibition may be visited from 7 October 2010 to 26 June 2011, in the building at 107 Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona.
The exhibition opened on 6 October at 7:00 p.m., with a ceremony presided over by Enric Aloy, Secretary General for Innovation, Universities and Enterprise, on behalf of Minister Josep Huguet. Also in attendance were the president of FAD, Miguel Espinet, the curators of the exhibition, Uli Marchsteiner and Viviana Narotzky, who is also president of ADI-FAD, and the Director General for Corporate Communications of the Government of Catalonia, Jordi Fortuny.
From the outset, the Delta Awards aimed to support and highlight excellence in the design and production of industrial objects in Spain. The journey through fifty years of design proposed by the exhibition, taking the Delta Awards as a guiding thread, is structured in five spaces dedicated to the five decades from 1960 to 2010.
Over 150 original pieces are on view, accompanied by images that suggest the close relationship between design and the historical, political and cultural moment in which it develops. Over the course of half a century, design has gone from being a minority concern to being part of everyday life; from being an activity often ignored by the industrial context of its time to being an essential part of the competitive entrepreneurial fabric.
The Delta Awards, like the design they promote, are constantly evolving. They are a reflection of the creativity that shapes everyday industrial culture. And they are a constantly renewed commitment to a future filled with objects that stand out for their sound product design in line with the entrepreneurial fabric and social environment of each period.
Among other pieces presented in the exhibition at Palau Robert are the Cota 247 (1968) and Impala (1962) motorcycles from the Montesa company, designed by Leopoldo Milá; the TMC light (1961) by Miguel Milá; the Copenhagen ashtray (1966) by André Ricard; the Citromatic Instant MPZ-2 orange juice press (1970) from the Braun company by Dieter Rams and Gabriel Lluelles; the Sinclina light (1991) by Estudio Blanco, and the Cuks rug (2003) by Nani Marquina.
The exhibition catalogue contains texts in Catalan, Spanish and English as well as images of the prizewinning objects from each edition.
Academic activities
The Palau Robert organises activities aimed at schoolchildren in Catalonia to allow them to explore the world of design. Through the “The Imagined Object” activity, students will understand the essence and defining elements of design, and they will be able to evaluate the suitability, functionality and beauty of each object. They will also have the opportunity to be designers and make a three-dimensional prototype of an object for everyday use. The best proposal will receive a prize.
The instructional programme consists of an interactive visit to the exhibition and an industrial design workshop in the Workshop Classroom of the Palau Robert, accompanied by a specialised instructor. All of the work done in the activity will be eligible for the “Alfa Award for industrial design” and the winning centre will receive a prize from ADI-FAD.
The activity is adapted to all age brackets, and its content and methodology is appropriate to each level of learning.
The instructional programme consists of an interactive visit to the exhibition and an industrial design workshop in the Workshop Classroom of the Palau Robert, accompanied by a specialised instructor. All of the work done in the activity will be eligible for the “Alfa Award for industrial design” and the winning centre will receive a prize from ADI-FAD.
The activity is adapted to all age brackets, and its content and methodology is appropriate to each level of learning.
Location: Room 2
Timetable: From October 2010 to June 2011
Opening hours: From Monday to Friday, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Levels: “The Imagined Object” Children. For primary school students
“The Imagined Object” Junior. For secondary school students
“The Imagined Object” Senior. For higher secondary school and vocational students
Timetable: From October 2010 to June 2011
Opening hours: From Monday to Friday, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Levels: “The Imagined Object” Children. For primary school students
“The Imagined Object” Junior. For secondary school students
“The Imagined Object” Senior. For higher secondary school and vocational students
Reservations: 670 036 081
All activities are free
All activities are free