Between 6th and 10th September, Design History Society Annual Conference will be held at ESAD, College of Art and Design. Considering, both the importance of design exhibitions and curatorship in the construction of design history over the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, as well as its relative peripheral dimension, this year’s conference unfolds under the motto: Displaying Design: History, Criticism and Curatorial Discourses.
Conference Activities
Publishing Workshop
6th September
The Design History Society Annual Publishing Workshop will take place at Exploratório, Porto Design Biennale Headquarters. This in-person workshop is free and open to everyone, including those not registered for the main Design History Society conference, but to secure a place participants must book in advance.
Session 1: Explorations: Alternative Approaches to Design Writing
Location: Exploratório, Porto Design Biennale Headquarters
+ info and booking
Session 2: Diversity, Inclusion, and Design History Publishing
Location: Exploratório, Porto Design Biennale Headquarters
+ info and booking
Conference: Displaying Design
7th, 8th, 9th September
About 30 panels;
A Student Forum;
A Film Session;
A Permanent Book Fair;
An Oxford University Press Cocktail Party;
(3-day coffee break and lunch included)
Location: ESAD, Matosinhos.
Student Forum Event: Displaying Research
7th September
This event will open a dialogue through which current researchers can reflect upon and question the significance and benefits of different mechanisms for the display of research, sharing their experiences and hopes for how they can impact the field more broadly.
Roundtable open to student participation
Gala Dinner
8th September
The Conference Gala Dinner at the Porto Cruise Terminal offers a well-deserved opportunity to unwind and appreciate this architecture and view. Between the three days of engaging panels and discussions on design history, guests can relax and indulge in the stunning surroundings while savoring the menu.
City Tour: Displaying Sites
10th September
The Displaying Sites City Tour takes participants on a journey through Porto’s and Matosinho’s cultural highlights. Begin at Casa do Design for the “Sneakers: Portuguese Brands from the Estado Novo to the Turn of the Millennium” exhibition. Visit Casa de Chá da Boa Nova and its stunning viewpoint, Capela da Boa Nova, followed by exploring the architectural marvel of Piscina das Marés. Enjoy a lunch break at Quinta da Conceição before strolling along the Douro riverside, visiting the Cathedral of Porto and Torre dos 24. Experience the Museu Romântico and the Serralves Foundation’s gardens, featuring works by Calder, Kapoor, Oldenburg, and Van Bruggen. The tour concludes at 5 pm, with an optional visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Tickets: https://store.esadidea.pt/collections/design-history-society
