Question 1

What was the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011?

Accepted Answer

The Gwangju Design Biennale 2011 was the fourth edition of this significant international event, held in Gwangju, South Korea. It aimed to explore the changing concepts, practices, and potential of contemporary design on a global scale.

Question 2

What was the main theme of the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011?

Accepted Answer

The central theme of the 2011 Biennale was 'Design is Design is Not Design' (dogadobisangdo, 圖可圖非常圖). Inspired by Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, it challenged conventional understandings of design by re-examining the boundaries between design and non-design.

Question 3

When and where did the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011 take place?

Accepted Answer

The Gwangju Design Biennale 2011 was held from September 2nd to October 23rd, 2011, at the Biennale Exhibition Hall and various locations throughout the metropolitan city of Gwangju, South Korea.

Question 4

Who were the artistic directors/curators of the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011?

Accepted Answer

The 4th Gwangju Design Biennale was co-directed by acclaimed Korean architect Seung H-Sang and renowned Chinese artist and architectural designer Ai Weiwei.

Question 5

What work did Michael Hansmeyer exhibit at the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011?

Accepted Answer

Michael Hansmeyer exhibited his 'Sixth Order' installation at the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011. This project was a further exploration of his 'Subdivided Columns' series.

Question 6

What was unique about Michael Hansmeyer's 'Sixth Order' installation?

Accepted Answer

The 'Sixth Order' installation comprised four distinct columns, each generated from a single algorithmic process but exhibiting unique, complex ornamental forms. It was constructed from 10,800 CNC milled sheets of 1.0mm white ABS and presented within a 36m² mirrored room to create an illusion of sixteen columns, blurring the line between virtual and physical objects.

Question 7

How did 'Sixth Order' relate to the Biennale's theme of 'Design is Design is Not Design'?

Accepted Answer

Hansmeyer's 'Sixth Order' engaged directly with the Biennale's theme by not presenting a pre-designed object but rather proposing the design of a process to generate objects. This highlighted the idea that design can be about systems and algorithms rather than just final forms, questioning conventional design authorship.

Question 8

Who else was exhibited at the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011?

Accepted Answer

The Gwangju Design Biennale 2011 featured works by over 300 artists, designers, and architects from 40 countries. Notable participants included Herzog & de Meuron, and projects within sections like 'Urban Follies' (featuring architects such as Peter Eisenman, Juan Herreros, and Florian Beigel), 'Unnamed Design' (co-curated by Ai Weiwei), and 'Communities' (with projects like WikiHouse).

Question 9

What was the significance of the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011?

Accepted Answer

The Biennale was highly significant for its comprehensive re-evaluation of design in the 21st century. It explored how design extends beyond aesthetics to fertilize life and creative grounds, addressing new roles for designers, new concepts in the field, and a dynamic between named and unnamed design.

Question 10

How was Michael Hansmeyer's 'Sixth Order' received by the press?

Accepted Answer

Michael Hansmeyer's 'Sixth Order' garnered significant press attention, being featured in publications such as 'Archithese' ('Rocaille Digital'), 'Domus' ('Towards New Fabrication'), 'Guardian' ('Design Biennial Gwangju'), 'Time + Architecture' ('Digital Fabrication'), and 'Vogue Living' ('Tall order').

Question 11

Does the page offer technical insights into Hansmeyer's work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the page provides a link to the 'Subdivided Columns' project, which includes technical background on the column algorithm that underpins the 'Sixth Order' installation.

Question 12

Did Michael Hansmeyer participate in other Gwangju Design Biennales?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in addition to the 2011 Biennale, Michael Hansmeyer also created the 'Gwangju Gazebo' project for the 2017 Gwangju Design Biennale, as indicated by a link on the page.

Sixth Order installation at

Gwangju Design Biennale, 2011

Sixth Order columns in figures

Press reviews

Further information