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A place for producers and consumers alike to get together and come to similar conclusions about the out of date their sense of style is and how expensive it is going to rectify the situation.  This year’s edition will have over 300 exhibitors divided into 8 categories, a series of special events and the launch of a design web resource. To make things a little easier we have taken the liberty of highlighting some of the more interesting promotions and events, but if time allows please feel free to peruse through the list of exhibitors at www.sidim.com.

The 8 thematic spaces of the design show are

Art & Design Café + Gallery – devoted to visual artists of all genres and mediums with a selection of sculptors, painters and photographers. The idea is to create a French style café environment where caffeinated beverage consumers will feel inspired to impulse purchase works of art that they just cannot live without. Whether you’re a regular gallery-goer with too much empty wall space, or a frugal connoisseur with taste looking for inspiration, something’s going to catch your eye.

Green Space – will be devoted to sustainable development and environmentally progressive design. This design movement has proven to the world that being globally conscious does not mean that you have to sacrifice style. Though the entire fair will not uphold the same values, we can rest well knowing that one eighth of the exhibitors care just as much about how and where their products are made as well as how they look and function.

Carrefour International  – an international space for companies looking to promote business in Québec, Canada and North American markets in general.  A special invite this year within the Carrefour space will be the French design collective UBIFRANCE.   The ‘Pavillion France’ promises to present some of the most definitive works in French design,  you can check out their homage to colour ahead of time on the SIDIM site or prepare yourself to witness it in person.

Outdoor Lifestyle – everything exterior from siding to patio furniture, something Canadians get very excited about on sunny days but please remember snow has just faded away. Your dream summer oasis has a strict time limit, but for the amount of pleasure you get from living and being outside, you may just let the sales rep convince you: it’s worth it!

Light Space- anything and everything about lighting from table lamps to theoretical Scandinavian light sculptures. Like that weird part of IKEA where every lamp looks like it would be perfect for your house but in reality it isn’t at all, this section promises to both inspire and confuse us. Lighting can make a dump look like a boudoir or a kitchen feel like a hospital, so be inspired: even if you don’t live in a boutique hotel, no one should have to live with unflattering lighting.

Hermes Milano Chair

The Chair Connection – this seating extravaganza has become one of the SIDIM’s most popular instillations over the past few years. Growing annually, this year’s instalment promises to cover the A to Z of seating solutions, plus provide a venue for Québec Celebrities (for those who watch TV, anyway) to try their hand at chair design and artistic expression.  As a special event, a selection of chefs, television personalities and other notables will individually style and decorate a simple wooden chair to create a personalized masterpiece.

Limited Edition – is the section where we can see one of a kind artistry and craftsmanship that only old money can afford and new money buys.  Do not let this intimidate you as the consumer, like anything one of a kind within a few years a cheaper inspired version will be available for the greater public. So take your time lusting over the larger than life creations with the hope that someday they might be in your price range.

Designers’ Tribune – dedicated to unique and up and coming talents, not yet burdened by the prestige and price tag to match this, the Tribune may just be the place to get the real deals of the show. There is a surplus of design talent both local and international that rarely gets the chance to show off its creations. This space will present some of the most original design ideas of the entire show and should not be missed.

Oxbolab_Indawall

New to the event

The SIDIM claims to be the largest event of its kind in Canada, but this year it plans to claim another first along with the title already attributed to it. Coinciding with the opening of the design show will be the launch of new design web resource.  The site promises to be a Québec-based design resource, providing the largest design-only reference available with connections to every designer, company, supplier, media source and design aspect imaginable.  A daunting task anyway you look at it, but fitting for an organization that continues to push the boundaries on design community dialogue.

On display this year will be a section devoted to the winners of 2011 design awards and those of previous years. Numerous festivities will highlight this year’s winners and laureates but works of each designer will be presented in a best of the best gallery style space.  It will be a mix of up and coming talent paired with legends within their own fields, definitely worth a look if only to examine the continued evolution of design ideas.

For the first time ever private design consultations will be offered by the SIDIM to both professional and public consumers.  The idea is to provide a more complete experience of the event by helping the consumers consider their overall design needs rather than random inspiration.

International guests

The Design show boasts many international guests and talents but three stand out this year:

Cheick Diallo a big name in African design and major supporter in the movement of African Craftwork

CheikDialloChair

Cedric Ragot an up and coming young design sensation who made waves with the Qui est Paul?  Collection

Kenneth Cobonpue from the Philippines this drastic designer is known for the use of recycled materials and exotic designs.

For the reasonable ticket price it is definitely something to do on the weekend of May 26^th, if only to inspire future changes in your own home or business.  When it comes down to it, don’t we all just love wandering through other people’s homes commenting on them? The SIDIM one giant hall of things to adore, lust after and mock, so indulge yourself, Montréal, and check out the styles, functions, and furnishings that could be yours someday.

www.sidim.com