Inaugural London Design Biennale opens at Somerset House

The inaugural London Design Biennale opens tomorrow until 27 September, taking over Somerset House with installations from 37 countries and territories.

Designers, architects, artists, scientists and writers have been involved in the artworks, which are created around the theme of Utopia by Design. This has been interpreted in myriad ways, such as fantastical visions of the future, homages to utopian proposals of the past and innovations for modern life.

Mischer’traxler, which created the incredible Curiosity Cloud at the V&A for last year’s LDF, has made a light sculpture that moves, dims and brightens in reaction to its spectators for Austria’s installation.

Annabel Karim Kassar has meticulously recreated a Beirut street on the Thames riverfront for Lebanon’s installation; and Rain Wu has created a pop-up forest where visitors can eat minimalist food by Chung-Ho for Taiwan’s piece.

Mexican architect Fernando Romero is presenting his concept masterplan for a binational city on the border of the US and Mexico. His imagery was also used on the posters for the Biennale.

Barber Osgerby represents the UK in the exhibition with a 14m kinetic sculpture inspired by the country’s relationship with wind energy. This is currently installed in the Somerset House courtyard.

London Design Biennale runs from 7 – 27 September.