Los Angeles, renowned for its diverse and dynamic creative scene, is eagerly preparing for the highly anticipated return of the Los Angeles Design Festival, set to take place from June 22 – 25, 2023 at ROW DTLA, Downtown Los Angeles’ creative hub, and Helms Bakery District in West L.A. While this year’s festival marks a significant milestone as it commemorates its 10th anniversary, it promises to be an exceptional celebration of design, embracing inclusivity, and amplifying the voices of creatives from all backgrounds, disciplines and practices.
The Los Angeles Design Festival has evolved from its grassroots origins into a citywide festival attracting to an impressive gathering of nearly 20.000 attendees. Founded in 2011, the annual event has become a beacon for design enthusiasts, showcasing the city’s rich design culture that continually pushes boundaries and sets trends, fostering a sense of community among creators. Now, with Erika Abrams at the helm, LADF is poised to elevate its impact and expand its reach, not only for four exhilarating days but also throughout the whole year.
Silas Munro, Fractals Ascending – Storyboard as Grid, Polymode, 2021-2022
This year’s theme, »Design for the People« resonates deeply with its mission to create a space where all creatives feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. Erika Abrams emphasizes the festival’s commitment to inclusivity, stating, that »Design for the People« is a call to creatives who have felt excluded, dismissed, or overlooked as design contributors to the LA community or industry. Abrams wanted to create a space for these voices, not only for four days but year-round because she believes we are all part of the design process. Further she states: »Design surrounds us and is a powerful language that transcends barriers of race, ethnicity, gender, dialect, economic status or origin.«
The LADF 2023 promises an engaging line-up that will captivate attendees and provide unique experiences. Highlights include graphic designer Silas Munro and the presentation of his thought-provoking work, »On the Consideration of a Black Grid«, a visual essay exploring the transformative potential of grids in shaping Black liberatory forms. Sekou Cooke’s curated exhibition, »Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture«, will examine the profound impact of Hip-Hop on the urban built environment. In addition, the ARRAY Alliance Law Enforcement Accountability Project (LEAP) will captivate visitors with a unique fusion of art and performance: Alongside the exhibitions, LEAP presents »The Reckoning«, an enthralling dance film choreographed by Francesca Harper, as well as »The Aura«, an audio drama experience crafted by multimedia artist Julian Stephen.
Beyond the four-day program, LADF is committed to fostering year-round engagement and interaction within the design community. Through design field trips, design-driven culinary events, exhibitions and activations across Los Angeles, the festival aims to maintain an ongoing dialogue, nurture connections, and further promote the transformative power of design. [SL]
