Design & People Co-founder Sethu Das presents the Indian section of the 'Re-Designing the East: Political Design in Asia and Europe' symposium/exhibition at the Württembergischer Kunstverein at Stuttgart, Germany on September 25, 2010. The section titled 'Swaraj in Design: Opportunities for Conscious Learning and Sharing' is on the work and philosophy of Design & People, an organisation he co-founded in the year 2003. The exhibition will continue till January 09, 2011. (Photo: Sung Hyun Sohn / Activism of Graphic Imagination, South Korea)

Re-Designing the East: Political Design in Asia and Europe

'Re-designing the East: Political Design in Asia and Europe' symposium/exhibition made a grand beginning at the Württembergischer Kunstverein of Stuttgart, Germany. Chris Hans and Iris Dressler, Directors of the institute formally opened the event by presenting the artists, designers and curators to a colourful gathering on September 25, 2010. The event that will explore the work of Polish designer Jerzy Janiszewski who created the historic Solidarity logo; Czech designer Joska Skalník, who was actively involved in the so-called 'Velvet Revolution' and now faced with the accusation of being an informant to Czechoslovakia's secret intelligence; Thai designer Pracha Suveeranont who developed the 2007 boycott campaign and the work; activist projects by the design groupActivism of Graphic Imagination (AGI), South Korea; Laboratory of Imitation of Hungary; and by the artist Noh Suntag; and the work and philosophy of Design & People. The exhibition will continue till January 9, 2011.

Conceptualised by Keiko Sei, the symposium will have Maks Bochenek (Poland), Hans D Christ and Iris Dressler(Germany), Sethu Das (India), Nikolett Eross (Hungary), Tomas Pospiszyl (Czechoslovakia), Keiko Sei(Japan/Thailand) and Nathalie Boseul Shin (South Korea) as curators. Württembergischer Kunstverein is highlighting critical and resistive design practices in Europe and Asia from the 80s to the present with particular focus on the role of both design and designers in the context of sweeping social, political, economic, and cultural upheaval. The event is organised by WKS in co-operation with Trafó Gallery, Budapest; Wyspa Institute of Art, Gdansk and Total Museum, Seoul with financial support from European Commission.