Sydney Design Week 2023 Program

Powerhouse has announced the program for Sydney Design Week 2023 featuring more than 60 events including tours, workshops and public architecture presented across the city from 15-24 September 2023.

Titled Amodern, in response to the work of prolific sociologist Bruno Latour (1947–2022), the program enlists six fields of enquiry to explore the complex and interconnected social and natural ecologies in which contemporary design operates. These fields of enquiry are Eco Systems, Material Cultures, Communal Cities, Micro Cycles, Connected Threads and Photofields.

Sydney Design Week 2023 has been programmed by Creative Director Keinton Butler, a senior curator of design and architecture at the Powerhouse and is presented with the support of Principal Partner Holdmark Property Group. Before joining the Powerhouse, Butler had collaborated with leading cultural organisations in Australia and the UK, including the British Council and artist Damien Hirst’s contemporary art publishing project Other Criteria.

As Creative Director, Butler has curated a city-wide program responding to widespread cultural and environmental change. “Amodern, the 27th Sydney Design Week, platforms the critical research, industries, infrastructure and technologies that underpin design practice in Sydney, while embracing plural perspectives from our local communities,” said Butler.

Keynote: Kwangho Lee Inspired by his grandfather, who used natural materials from his farm to create ordinary items, the internationally acclaimed South Korean designer Kwangho Lee creates everyday objects with a fresh perspective. In 2009, Lee was nominated for the jury's selection of ‘Designer of The Future’ at Design Miami/Basel and in 2023 was shortlisted as Wallpaper magazine’s ‘Designer of the Year’. His works are included in permanent collections at Powerhouse, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and he most recently collaborated on a new furniture collection for Swedish brand Hem. In a special keynote at Powerhouse Ultimo on 16 September, Lee will delve into his practice. Ocean Terrazzo Three experts in science, cultural studies and design consider the issue of plastic and global ecosystems in a panel discussion on 24 September. Dr Jennifer Lavers, who collaborated with Brodie Neill on the Jetsam table, will join Professor Gay Hawkins and Powerhouse curator Angelique Hutchison to discuss the role of design solutions to the problem of plastic. Objects testify Objects testify is a community-engaged program exploring the colonial legacies of Australia's built environment and its ongoing impact on First Nations communities, led by Wiradjuri anti-disciplinary artist and Powerhouse design resident Joel Sherwood Spring, Objects testify is presented at UTS Gallery from 15 September.

Architecture Amplified: Building Communities Inspired by Parramatta’s civic and cultural hub PHIVE, curator Kate Goodwin and Co-Director of Sibling Architecture Qianyi Lim interrogate the relationships between architecture, communities and equitable environments through a vibrant program of walks, talks and site-specific performances presented on 16 September. Modest Fashion Design Studio A full day, intensive workshop led by fashion designers and digital creatives exploring the innovation and beauty of contemporary modest fashion. Participants will collaborate with industry leaders and emerging talent to explore the intersection of contemporary design, cultural identity and sustainability. Workshop leaders include digital creator and fashion influencer Nawal Sari, designer Anjilla Seddeqi, Powerhouse curator Glynis Jones, designer Aheda Zanetti, FDS at TAFE NSW Head of Fashion Design Laura Washington, founder of Fashions of Multicultural Australia Sonia Gandhi and co-founder of TWIICE Nigara Momin. Saturday 16 September at Parramatta Female Factory, North Parramatta. Ace Hotel Sydney Design Week will partner with Ace Hotel Sydney for a second year to co-present a series of talks, workshops and a special Supper Session at Australia’s first incarnation of the famed US hotel. FULL SYDNEY DESIGN WEEK PROGRAM AVAILABLE HERE