By Freek Lomme / 18-04-2008

Freek Lomme, Onomatopee, is one of the participants of the "Smalle Haven" project. Together with 9 other organisations, artists and designers, he is camping in Milaan. He wrote a report for Design.nl.

During the Salone de Mobile 2008 we visit Milan with a convoy of 10 caravans, which we will use to make our presentation in the heart of Zona Tortona. The caravans will be used as a platform for presentation by various creative parties from Eindhoven, among them Mu, Onomatopee, Hub, industrial Design of the Eindhoven Technical University and the 4 apostles. A number of individuals, among them Plumbum and Lucie Jansen will also be particiapting. The participants will be free to decorate the caravans as they wish, on condition that their work is mobile and functional and satisfies European legislation.

Smalle Haven, an organisation combining hospitality and creativity, wants to create a design experience that offers more than a static exhibition that appeals to a broad public by combining a variety of stylish design elements and activities. 'The visitor will be able to enjoy an interactive experience with design' they said. Many people have commented on Smalle Haven's attractive design.

One thing is for sure, and that is a lot of variety is offered. There are buildings and extensions of buildings, there are 'total experiences' and
in-your-face attractions, there is experimental graphic design that investigates the context of the presentation.

One example is 'just build' by Plumbum, who have decorated a caravan with old bicycle tyres and the 'super tight' building of a caravan office by Bob Copray, working as a representative of Hub. There is an on-site extension of the cultural centre Little Mountain, and a large air bubble some metres high that pops up from a little house by design club La Bolleur. The 4 apostles, a group of creative entrepreneurs who are good at presenting themselves, will present a convertible extension.

Daniera ter Haar and Christoph Brach have been invited to participate by MU. They will exhibit not far away from the Design Connection exhibition, which is only right as they have talent. They will present expermental graphic work around vegetable dyes in their caravan. Onomatopee will present a poster with quotes about (city) branding, because they like to work on site. The context of the presentation was created because Eindhoven is keen to profile itself. Moreover, Onomatopee wants to offer a critical selection on branding from the huge variety on offer, to contextualise the discourse about awareness of the 'brand' phenomenon as a logo of our individual identity in public contexts.

All in all, there is a lot to see and to discover, a real mix that may set trends among visitors.

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