The London Design Festival is a nine-day celebration of design in the world’s creative capital. The Festival is a platform for the widest spectrum of design disciplines, brought together as a unique and accessible programme.

Now in its eighth year, The London Design Festival is firmly established as a major cultural and commercial event.  Last year London hosted a rich mix of over 200 commissioned installations and exhibitions pus over 150 launches, private views and parties, cementing its reputation as the design capital of the world.  The 2010 Festival promises an even greater diversity of activity taking place across the capital – from the Festival hub at the V&A to spaces across the city filled with design from partners across the UK and around the world.

Many Londoners saw the spectacular installation in Trafalgar Square during the 2009 Festival.  The Tournament, by Spanish designer, Jaime Hayon, featured a giant chessboard with 2m high ceramic chess pieces, providing both a design statement and compelling entertainment for the public.

This year promises an equally stunning and exciting spectacle  with an immense mechanical octopus taking up residence in Trafalgar Square.  The Festival – working with leading car designer and manufacturer Audi – has commissioned German designers Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram.  their creation, Outrace, will take the form of eight massive industrial robotic arms from Audi’s production line.  Custom software developed by the designers will allow members of the public to temporarily control the installation and write texts in light traces drawn by the synchronized mechanical tentacles.  The resulting ‘light paintings’ will be recorded using specialized high-definition video equipment and published online.

London Design Festival, September 18 -26, 2010

Outrace, September 16 – 23, 2010