Collection by Rebecca L. Weber

Design Indaba 2011

Cape Town's Design Indaba always kicks off with a conference of eclectic speakers from all over the world and wraps up with an expo focusing on Southern African designers. "Forget about the beauty," says New York-based designer Dror Benshetrit, as if every city with two oceans wrapped itself around a mountain. "The people are so welcoming, so open minded, so thirsty to be connected to the grid. I see a lot of potential in South Africa, a lot of creative, eager, ambitious people. I have a really good feeling that I'll be here again soon." Job creation and environmental stewardship have been oft-discussed themes at previous Indabas, but seem to have reached a critical mass this year, which may help its bid for World Design Capital 2014. In the following slideshow, have a look at some of the outstanding works created by the South African designers who exhibited at the 2011 Design Indaba Expo.

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Community Bench

Designed by: 

Lello Design

Initially inspired by a competition for seating with a "shack chic flavour," Aram Lello conceived of a bench system that would work in urban communities as well as in a suburban garden or a gallery. "I give a guide, and then you decide how to use it and how to change it," he says.

More info: 

aramlello.com
Community Bench Designed by: Lello Design Initially inspired by a competition for seating with a "shack chic flavour," Aram Lello conceived of a bench system that would work in urban communities as well as in a suburban garden or a gallery. "I give a guide, and then you decide how to use it and how to change it," he says. More info: aramlello.com
Kudu head

Designed by: Joanna Orr

What do you get for the trophy hunter who already has an elephant foot coffee table, trophy heads aplenty, and skins everywhere? Joanna Orr, a vegetarian, decided to make her friend a kudu head constructed with interlocking pieces of 

Xanita, a recycled corrugated cardboard. Several species are now available, though some of them are in leather, leaving you to decide which material is most ironic.

More info: 

headondesign.co.za
Kudu head Designed by: Joanna Orr What do you get for the trophy hunter who already has an elephant foot coffee table, trophy heads aplenty, and skins everywhere? Joanna Orr, a vegetarian, decided to make her friend a kudu head constructed with interlocking pieces of Xanita, a recycled corrugated cardboard. Several species are now available, though some of them are in leather, leaving you to decide which material is most ironic. More info: headondesign.co.za
Ukhamba Pot

Designed by: Mrs. Shongwe

Sticking with the customary practices in rural KwaZulu-Natal, Mrs. Shongwe collects her own river clay and uses a pit fire. The traditional shape is rendered contemporary with small knobs for texture.

More info: 

khumbulani.co.za
Ukhamba Pot Designed by: Mrs. Shongwe Sticking with the customary practices in rural KwaZulu-Natal, Mrs. Shongwe collects her own river clay and uses a pit fire. The traditional shape is rendered contemporary with small knobs for texture. More info: khumbulani.co.za
Bird Range

Designed by: 

Imiso Ceramics and Ngwenya Glass

Sculptor Andile Dyalvane traveled to Swaziland last year to study with master glass worker Sibusiso Mhlanga. A series of collaborations has ensued--some complementary, such as bird-nest lamps in either clay or glass, and some integrated, such as a glass chandelier with ceramic thorns and pots with a glass base and ceramic top.

More info: 

imisoceramics.co.za and ngwenyaglass.co.sz
Bird Range Designed by: Imiso Ceramics and Ngwenya Glass Sculptor Andile Dyalvane traveled to Swaziland last year to study with master glass worker Sibusiso Mhlanga. A series of collaborations has ensued--some complementary, such as bird-nest lamps in either clay or glass, and some integrated, such as a glass chandelier with ceramic thorns and pots with a glass base and ceramic top. More info: imisoceramics.co.za and ngwenyaglass.co.sz
Image converted using ifftoany
Image converted using ifftoany
Protea Pendant Lamp

Designed by: Nikki Drzewicki

Nikki Drzewicki trained as an architect back in the day when one sketched by hand rather than computer--she says she still works on paper first--and these wire lamps look much like her drawings.

More info: 

indaloproject.co.za

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Protea Pendant Lamp Designed by: Nikki Drzewicki Nikki Drzewicki trained as an architect back in the day when one sketched by hand rather than computer--she says she still works on paper first--and these wire lamps look much like her drawings. More info: indaloproject.co.za Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!