Kicked off in June, the seventh edition of DMY International Design Festival Berlin presented more than 550 international designers within over 100 different events. Capturing contemporary product design the festival invited professionals as well as the wide public to a varied program of exhibitions, lectures, panel talks, workshops, performances and parties.

Where does design end and art begin?

Charles Eames, the most influential designer of the mid-twentieth century, said that ‘design is an expression of purpose. It may (if it is good enough) later be judged as art.’ Contemporary young designers see the matter more pragmatically. According to the Spanish designer Jaime Hayon, ‘there is no longer a clear border between product design and art.’ The most recent answer to this question is inherent in the new phrase ‘design-art’.

Peter Zumthor of Switzerland has been chosen as the 2009 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The formal ceremony for what has come to be known throughout the world as architecture’s highest honor will be held on May 29 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At that time, a $100,000 grant and a bronze medallion will be bestowed on the 65-year old architect.

More than 400 enthusiastic guests celebrated the opening of the newly designed Occhio flagship store in Munich on April 2, 2009. Axelmeiselicht thus continues the new era of product and brand presentation launched by the innovative company at light + building 2008.

Although design is only half as popular as love, compared with Barack Obama or David Beckham it is very high up on the international popularity scale. This, at least, is the result yielded by the international search engines in the world wide web. Design is also currently a hot topic for many manufacturers worldwide, who hope to reanimate their share prices with the help of good design.

The first ZERO EMMISSION Research Station

The Princess Elisabeth Station in Antarctica was officially inaugurated on 15 February 2009 in the presence of an international delegation of journalists and political representatives. The project, initiated by International Polar Foundation, was made possible thanks to the support of various partners, both public and private.

The completion of the construction is the result of two years of work. This "zero emission" station is a major accomplishment and sets a new standard for future stations. Moreover, Princess Elisabeth Antarctica is the only station to be entirely built during the International Polar Year.

Videonale Bonn grants a comprehensive insight both in the contemporary art practice and in the current debates of video art.

It holds multifaceted fringe events that frame the festival and the exhibition.These include a symposium with panel discussion, workshops, performances, presentations by art academies and art educational programs.