ISSUE 83/TRANSPORT
MOVING DAYS
FROM BICYCLES AND BENTLEYS TO AIRPORTS AND DEPOTS, WE SURVERY THE NEXT STOPS IN DESIGN
I never imagined that the words "due to the volcano" would ever apply to me personally. But for one surreal week in Milan this April, my life was put on hold. I was in town for the annual Design Week centered around the Salone del Mobile, the mother of all furniture fairs and the biggest event to occur in the city all year. (300,000 attend, compared with 10,000 for Fashion Week.)
After the deprivations of 2009, the industry was ready to make up for lost time. That was, of course, until the man upstairs decided to get all 2012 on us.
Airports were closed. Flights were delayed. Then cancelled. Then rescheduled, then not. Phone lines jammed. Trains overbooked. The prospect of the skies remaining closed (potentially for weeks, some said) put visitors into a tizzy. After all, just staying in Milan a few extra days is a costly proposition. Brits cobbled together caravans to Calais, while Spaniards bussed it 30 hours to Barcelona. American? Japanese? Good luck with that.
I finally arrived home four days later, but the ordeal made me realize the fragility of modern life, especially when it comes to transportation and what to include in this first-ever Transport Issue. Capacity, flexibility, convenience: All these issues today are crucial.
After you're debriefed on the important developments from Milan ("Design Eruption," p32), our Focus section features ideas and designs that should give you hope for the future of transport. It's not just about being sexier or more lavish-auto designers are getting practical with their concepts ("Keeping it Real," p46), while architects are balancing big statements with sustainability and sensitivity ("Are We There Yet?" p50). Meanwhile, we quiz three designers from outside Detroit who are putting their best ideas about urban mobility on the table ("Road Map to Tomorrow," p40). Amidst all these forward-looking ideas, we highlight a recent exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design that gives the underappreciated craft of handmade bicycles its due ("Wheeler-Dealers," p48). Finally, we look to drool-worthy rides for inspiration, including the latest Ducatis, photographed by Adriano Russo at the company's factory in Bologna ("Full Throttle," p72).
Please fasten your seatbelts, ensure your seat backs and tray tables are in the upright position and enjoy your issue.
-Dan Rubinstein
Don't miss another issue. Subscribe to Surface today.
MOVING DAYS
FROM BICYCLES AND BENTLEYS TO AIRPORTS AND DEPOTS, WE SURVERY THE NEXT STOPS IN DESIGN
I never imagined that the words "due to the volcano" would ever apply to me personally. But for one surreal week in Milan this April, my life was put on hold. I was in town for the annual Design Week centered around the Salone del Mobile, the mother of all furniture fairs and the biggest event to occur in the city all year. (300,000 attend, compared with 10,000 for Fashion Week.)
After the deprivations of 2009, the industry was ready to make up for lost time. That was, of course, until the man upstairs decided to get all 2012 on us.
Airports were closed. Flights were delayed. Then cancelled. Then rescheduled, then not. Phone lines jammed. Trains overbooked. The prospect of the skies remaining closed (potentially for weeks, some said) put visitors into a tizzy. After all, just staying in Milan a few extra days is a costly proposition. Brits cobbled together caravans to Calais, while Spaniards bussed it 30 hours to Barcelona. American? Japanese? Good luck with that.
I finally arrived home four days later, but the ordeal made me realize the fragility of modern life, especially when it comes to transportation and what to include in this first-ever Transport Issue. Capacity, flexibility, convenience: All these issues today are crucial.
After you're debriefed on the important developments from Milan ("Design Eruption," p32), our Focus section features ideas and designs that should give you hope for the future of transport. It's not just about being sexier or more lavish-auto designers are getting practical with their concepts ("Keeping it Real," p46), while architects are balancing big statements with sustainability and sensitivity ("Are We There Yet?" p50). Meanwhile, we quiz three designers from outside Detroit who are putting their best ideas about urban mobility on the table ("Road Map to Tomorrow," p40). Amidst all these forward-looking ideas, we highlight a recent exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design that gives the underappreciated craft of handmade bicycles its due ("Wheeler-Dealers," p48). Finally, we look to drool-worthy rides for inspiration, including the latest Ducatis, photographed by Adriano Russo at the company's factory in Bologna ("Full Throttle," p72).
Please fasten your seatbelts, ensure your seat backs and tray tables are in the upright position and enjoy your issue.
-Dan Rubinstein
Don't miss another issue. Subscribe to Surface today.
