Kama Sex and Design

Phallic marble chairs, a Great Wall of Vagina and other oddities on display at Italy's Triennale Museum

The products of design are often objects of desire, but to what extent can this drive be pushed? The exhibition “Kama Sex and Design” ventures an answer to that weighty question with an analysis of the visual representation of sexual motifs. The starting point is Kama, the Indian god of sexual pleasure, who welcomes visitors into the exhibition space at the Triennale in Milan. The …

Word of Mouth: Istanbul

Five recommendations to kick off your Turkish sojourn

Though the Istanbul Design Biennial has come and gone, left in the wake is a metropolis refreshed by its burgeoning design community. The city of contrast may be known for traditionalism, but a growing international community is changing all of that, building a progressive urban culture alongside Byzantine ruins. Below you’ll find a handful of suggestions to begin your exploration of the continent-spanning megacity. Münferit …

Interview: Nathan Zhang

We talk to the Beijing-based founder of Brandnü about his upcycled fashion operation

Waste is one of the dark sides of development, especially in fast growing-country like China, and Beijing is no exception. With massive urbanization bringing crowds of mostly unskilled rural workers to the city and a literal ring of garbage dumps and unauthorized recycling centers besieging the capital, it’s often difficult to see the few making a positive impact in their community. Fully aware of these …