FX, May 2004

Materials World

Along with an impressive seminar programme, Head 2 Head debates (Sean Griffiths of FAT and James Soane of Project Orange locked horns), and some inspiring individual talks by the likes of Adam Brinkworth, Ross Lovegrove and Tom Dixon, there was the Materials World exhibit to enjoy. Curated by Scarlet Projects, it was a small but perfectly formed (a cute configuration of pastel-hued cubes designed by Mark Garside) diversion telling us all we want to know about materials ­ and most importantly, which designers like what and what they would like to be rid of. Wayne Hemingway waved the retro flag, choosing Formica as his favourite material because it reminds him of his nan’s kitchen table, while Tom Dixon cited stone, basketwork, composites, synthetic fibres, cork and latex as those which are the most under-used and neglected.