Events sponsored by beer companies aren’t usually the kind that feature 3-D light installations, wearable art, interchangeable sculptures, and international design collectives, and we suppose that’s precisely the point behind Tiger Beer’s “Tiger Translate” project. The initiative, which supports emerging Asian artists by extending a global platform for them to showcase their work and collaborate with artists from major cities throughout the world, touched down at the Xchange on March 31 and provided some 500 designers, artists, and editors the opportunity to view a site-specific collaborative art project (and, of course, drink some beer).Tiger Translate’s New York event kicked off the program’s three-stop tour, which features 25 artists’ interpretation of a different theme in each city. (Reps from Tiger Beer and Hong Kong-based design publication International Designers Network select each featured group following a regional call for entries.) Tiger Translate will stage future exhibits in Berlin and Beijing, dedicated to the themes of “rise” and “gold,” respectively.
To help interpret New York’s theme of “merge,” producers Joao and Readymade Projects enlisted design collective Surface to Air, lighting designer James Clar, and fashion designer Mary Ping to create pieces for the launch event. Displayed alongside the work of these invited artists were offerings from artists discovered through Tiger Translate. “We selected artists we felt represented the platform in New York City,” says Khairi Mdnor, Joao’s C.E.O. “My thought was to create a total experience of the arts.”
—Mimi O’Connor
Posted 04.12.07
Photos: Courtesy of Jennifer Warren
To help interpret New York’s theme of “merge,” producers Joao and Readymade Projects enlisted design collective Surface to Air, lighting designer James Clar, and fashion designer Mary Ping to create pieces for the launch event. Displayed alongside the work of these invited artists were offerings from artists discovered through Tiger Translate. “We selected artists we felt represented the platform in New York City,” says Khairi Mdnor, Joao’s C.E.O. “My thought was to create a total experience of the arts.”
—Mimi O’Connor
Posted 04.12.07
Photos: Courtesy of Jennifer Warren