Lively debate in Sydney last night finds that there is no value in ’replicas’.
November 20th, 2009
Last night’s second ’Values’ debate – an initiative of Futurespace and Corporate Culture – was a huge success. With high profile members of the design and publishing industries pitted up against each other with the question: ’Is there any value in Replicas?’.
Witty repartee, scathing insults and passionate debate kept the audience entertained, while the night’s adjudicator, Max Thompson (Hamilton Thompson), kept the whole thing on track with his wry sense of humour and impeccable comedic timing.
The affirmative – Darren Palmer (Darren Palmer Design), Greg Carmichael (APP) and Steve Coster (DEGW) – set a solid foundation for the debate, arguing that the ‘replica economy’ is worth a lot of money, that replicas make design available to the masses, that “the end always justifies the means” and that sometimes furniture doesn’t need to last forever.
Despite a sound debating technique, the affirmative were unable to win over the audience. Overall they were most impressed by the argument put forward in the negative, with Angela Ferguson (Futurespace), Paul McGillick (Indesign) and Andrew McKenzie (Niche Media) taking out the debate, arguing that authenticity is where true value lies.
The meeting of minds was quite lively at times, with Angela Ferguson taking a stab at the British (despite the adjudicator’s obvious English heritage) and Steve Coster wrapping up his team’s case with a barrage of jovial personal insults – all in the spirit of things, of course.
Richard Munao – Managing Director Corporate Culture – closed the evening by thanking the teams for an engaging and humorous debate (despite the fact that the affirmative “didn’t have a chance”). Munao also pointed out the value of continuing the conversation surrounding replicas and the wider issue of Intellectual Property, and the importance of bringing the community together to open dialogue.
Stay tuned to indesignlive.com for a video from the debate, where you can hear all the the speakers for yourself.
Next week Corporate Culture Sydney will be holding a Sustainability forum with representatives from Instyle Contract Textiles and Contemporary Leathers – stay tuned for more info.
Authentic CH 07 Chair
Authentic Eames Lounge and Ottoman
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Gifted to the City of Sydney this week, public artwork ’Halo’ has already been nominated for an Engineering Excellence Award
William Wilding is a person with a calling. To say he produces wallpaper reflects only a small facet of his business. Alice Blackwood speaks with one of DQ’s Top Ten Forces and Faces about design leadership and empowered creativity.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Salone del Mobile 2024 is only a few weeks away, so we’re highlighting here seven special events, spaces and installations that we’re certainly planning to check out.
Adaptive reuse is all the rage across the design industry, and rightly so. Here, we present a selection of articles on this most effective approach to sustainability.