Design Museum Holon Exhibition Explores Sustainable Futures Amidst Global Challenges

The Design Museum Holon in Israel has opened a new ambitious exhibition titled 'The Circle, Design as a Tool for Changing Reality,' running from September 10, 2024, to May 2027. The exhibition focuses on ecological issues and humanity's impact on the environment, presenting an optimistic outlook on how technological advancements can foster a better future through sustainable design.

Spanning all museum spaces, 'The Circle' features dozens of projects from Israel and abroad, encompassing industrial design, fashion, architecture, and visual communication. It also includes innovations from startups and research collaborations with leading Israeli institutions like the Weizmann Institute, Technion, and Shenkar. Some showcased projects are already in use or planned for near-term implementation, while others offer conceptual ideas aimed at inspiring hope for a different reality.

Despite featuring international designers from countries including Spain, Mexico, the US, Canada, and Germany, curators noted the increasing difficulty in engaging international creators. Liraz Cohen Mordechai, the museum's acting chief curator, stated that while the museum strives to bring international perspectives, some creators express reluctance to exhibit in Israel due to concerns about how their participation might be perceived by the global creative community. The museum, however, remains committed to its role as Israel's sole design museum in showcasing both local and international talent.

Implementing its theme, the exhibition's display methods also adhere to sustainable principles, minimizing waste. "Exhibition design itself is not very sustainable," explained Cohen Mordechai, "but we tried to consider options that, alongside aesthetics, would incorporate these principles." The exhibition aims to move beyond fear-mongering about climate change and instead focus on solutions, drawing inspiration from nature's circular systems and integrating them with technology and science.

Among the highlighted projects are Watergen's GENNY+ device, which generates drinking water from air humidity; 'Bustan,' an architectural structure made of 3D-printed earth bricks designed to protect young trees and support ecosystems; 'Mitomva,' an installation using over 200 discarded garments to illustrate the waste generated by the fashion industry; Tomgrow Tech's gel cubes for plant irrigation; and 'Solarpunk,' a speculative video exploring a future where technology serves ecology in urban Israel.