The importance of this exhibition?s theme, in addition to the fact that this is the first edition inthe twenty-first century, has pushed the Islamic Republic of Iran to take part, for the first time, in the Triennale. For years now, Iranians have increasingly shown a real passion for art in all of its forms, both handcrafted and industrial. This cultural and artistic passion is rooted in millenary heritage.

Design is an idea, an art, a technology able to satisfy needs. On the basis of this assumption, it was decided to find inspiration from the Bazar to realize the exhibit’s space. The Bazar has always been the place where progress is showcased and evolved, so that people can find the best satisfaction to their needs.

The Bazar, one of the main symbols of Iranian cities and civilization itself, has always had a social gathering function as the place where cultures and people meet up in everyday life. Historically, the Bazar was divided in commercial areas, connected by social and cultural ones. Each kind of product had its own place. Items were not mixed together but arranged according to functional criteria promoting cooperation. Over the course of centuries the idea of Bazar has evolved and spread around. Nowadays, Iranian cities themselves are divided into sectors, each with its own peculiarities, as in the Bazar.

The Iranian Pavilion borrows traditional elements of the Bazar to showcase different aspects of Design in Iran. The elements of the well of light from the ceiling, “hourno”, representing air and light and thus as a symbol of life, are replicated in an essential and minimalist way to highlight the pieces of art design chosen. Art itself can also be considered a form of design, the one most connected with handcrafting, underlining human creativity from the very beginning of the time. Another important traditional element of the Bazar is the workshop, the place where products are created. The modern idea of workshop is here represented by a 3D printer, day after day creating elements of different forms of Iranian Design.

The 3D printer is here considered as the tool of a global workshop, combining technology and tradition in a dynamic environment. The products created will be exposed to progressively enrich the exhibition, to remark the dynamism of both Design and the Iranian Bazar culture.

Comparing past and present times, people are the main actors of the Bazar, gathering and sharing their needs with a positive approach based on respect.

Design is all around. Our idea for “21st Century Design after Design” is to remind future generations of the essential keys to upcoming progress:

people are the main actors people gather to share understand the real needs have a positive approach based on respect

This is a normal day in the Bazar:
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