Benilde and SM hold students’ furniture exhibit
Culture and function in Philippine pieces
Mall-goers got a glimpse of the immense possibilities of Philippine furniture design in “Salaysay: Philippine Culture Narrated through Furniture Pieces” exhibit at SMAura Premier.
A joint project of De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde Interior Design’s interior design program and SM Aura Premier, the student exhibit showed not only how Philippine culture shaped furniture design, but also the future of furniture as functional art.
Benilde’s furniture design and construction students narrated stories of Philippine culture using four themes: Philippine flowers such as the bird of paradise, the bougainvillea, tropical gumamela; Philippine festivals such as the Pahiyas, the Panagbenga; landmarks of Palawan such as the rock formations of the underground river; the Arts, Aspects and Appreciation showcasing furniture as functional art.
Among the materials used were rattan, abaca, mahogany, wrought iron, glass and synthetic leather.
The DLS-CSB’s Bachelor of Science in Interior Design Program aims to develop students with a mastery of interior space planning, and of interior elements such as finishes and furnishings, to marry aesthetics and function.
In her speech at the opening, School of Design and the Arts associate dean Cynthia Funk said each furniture piece could be appreciated in two ways: form and content.
She pointed out how the Benilde designs were not only meaningful but also purposeful. Exhibits such as “Salaysay” enabled Benilde to train students beyond the school.