An exhibition exploring the idea of sustainability in design will open at Object Gallery in Sydney on 6 February 2010, featuring contributions from some of Australia’s leading design talents.

STATE. RESPOND. Exploring sustainable design has been curated by Brian Parkes, who invited five outstanding design studios to respond to the issue of sustainability in contemporary design practice. The exhibition looks at the role design plays in affecting positive change, as well as the contribution it has made to current social and environmental problems.

The five design practices involved are furniture design studio Schamburg+Alvisse, strategic design agency Digital Eskimo, graphic design agency one8one7, textile design business Bird Textile, and internationally acclaimed architecture firm LAVA, headed by Chris Bosse.

The exhibition will explore design’s ability to engage with social and environmental change, transforming the gallery space into a laboratory of ideas.

Each of the participants in the exhibition has significant and successful track records of engaging with ethical and sustainable design. Marc Schamburg, Managing Director of Schamburg + Alvisse said the idea that something is expendable or worthless is only a point of view. “Design can transform objects of matter into objects that matter” said Schamburg.

The gallery will also run an interactive microsite in conjunction with the exhibition at www.object.com.au

STATE. RESPOND. Exploring sustainable design runs at Object Gallery in Surry Hills from 6 February until 28 March 2010.