The construction of Design Museum Holon, the highly anticipated creation by Ron Arad Architects will be completed at the end of 2009 with doors due to open on March 10th, 2010. Significant in so many ways, the sweeping ribbons of varying shades of rusted corten (steel) will be Ron Arad’s first ever commercial architectural project and is also the realization of a 16 year regeneration programme in the city of Holon, just out of Tel Aviv.

In 2004, Ron Arad Associates were invited by the Municipality of Holon to create a new Design Museum in Holon, envisaged as an international hub for innovation in the field of design. Ron Arad was briefed to design a structure that would be iconic and thus, could be featured on a postage stamp. After five years of construction, the museum, a fluid circular structure built with neutral tones of steel, is currently under construction and is scheduled to open early 2010.

The Design Museum Holon accommodates two primary galleries (750 sq m) and a number of diverse alternative exhibition and education spaces in-between. As well as creating a leading creative arena for the field of design, Design Museum Holon will create an encompassing design experience for the general public, while seeking enriching dialogue between designers, curators and the audience. They aim to play a key role in changing the perception of the design – environment - community relationship by examining the holistic impact design has on urban spaces, using the city of Holon as a case study for the entire world.

The city of Holon, in the midst of Israel’s urban centre, has been going through a regeneration programme for the past 16 year under the direction of its mayor, Motti Sasson, and the municipality managing director, Hana Hertsman who has initiated the project. Mrs. Herzman said: “Art is the way to bridge social gaps and cultural differences while creating dialogue instead of conflict. The opening of the museum not only highlights the role of design and culture in Holon’s day to day life, but its influence globally. We are turning the city of Holon into an entirely open gallery, in which art is accessible and available for all.”

The international design exhibition inaugurating the Design Museum Holon, presents more than 100 products that collectively tell the story of the practice, consumption, and cultural impact of contemporary product design. The opening exhibition will be developed by a highly creative group of international curators including: Mrs Barbara Bloemink - former Head Curator for Cooper Hewitt and Mad, Mr. Eric Chen, Creative Director 100% Design Shanghai and journalist (New York Times, The Art Newspaper, Surface.), Ms Julie Lasky - ex Editor in chief I.D. Magazine and Mr. Garth Walker, graphic designer and curator (South Africa).

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Ron Arad:
Since his career began in 1981, Ron Arad has exhibited at many major museums and galleries throughout the world. 2009 is a significant year for Arad with the completion of the Design Museum Holon, an unprecedented turn out to his retrospective at Centre Pompidou in Paris, and an exhibition in July at the MoMA New York which moves on to the Stedelijkn Museum in Amsterdam.

The Condé Nast Traveller Awards for Innovation and Design:
An expert panel of judges, including Sir Nicholas Serota of TATE and Sir Christopher Frayling, former chair of the Arts Council and Rector of London’s Royal College of Art, compiled a shortlist of recent and innovative designs, revealed in a special supplement in the May issue of Condé Nast Traveller.