2008 Czech Grand Design Awards: The Parade of Winners

(jiří macek) Last night, the 2008 Czech Grand Design Awards from the Academy of Design of the Czech Republic were announced at a gala evening ceremony in Stavovske divadlo (The Estates Theatre). The evening was moderated Roman Zach; Ecstasy of Saint Theresa and Marta Kubišová performed; Jan Kaplický entered the Hall of Fame. Eight awards in the form of a magic ball designed by Zuzana Lednická from Studio Najbrt – last year’s Mattoni Grand Designer of the Year 2007 – were presented to the winners.

Who were the winners and for what designs were they recognized?
Designer of the Year 2008 - Jan Čtvrtník, nominated for the Droog Aalto vase, a collection of seating furniture for Polstrin, as well as vases for Moser.
Fashion Designer of the Year 2008 - Monika Drápalová, nominated for the Cache – Cache collection.
Graphic Designer of the Year 2008 - Robert V. Novák, nominated for the design of the book Bruselský sen and the graphic design of a Psalter for the monastery of Nový Dvůr.
Photographers of the Year 2008 - Salim Issa and Štěpánka Stein, nominated for their collection of photos for DesignGuide 2009, the Jablonex 08 calendar, and the Little Hanoi exhibition (winning for the second time).
Manufacturer of the Year 2008 - Lucis, nominated for its collection of Helium, Neon, Argon, and Antimon lights designed by René Šulc. This award was bequeathed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade for industrial design. Thus, Lucis will represent the Czech Republic at a selected fair on state expenses.
Distributor of the Year 2008 - Dox by Qubus, nominated for opening the new showroom in the Dox gallery.
Discovery of the Year 2008 – Česká spořitelna Award - Vladimír Žák, nominated for his diploma work at the AAAD in Prague, the Kubikula chair and sofa for UP závody, the Therapia chair for Prowork / Divan Design, and the design of the UŠÁK armchair. A part of the award in this category is a cheque for CZK 50,000 from Česká spořitelna.
Hall of Fame Award 2008 - Jan Kaplický
Mattoni Grand Designer of the Year 2008 - Jan Čtvrtník; thus, the designer shall be awarded the additional amount of CZK 100,000 from Mattoni, the general partner of Czech Grand Design Awards, to design the award for the next year; Jan Čtvrník received 21 votes; Robert V. Novák, who won second place, received 20 votes.

We will provide one report on the gala evening itself and one report on the exhibition of all 22 nominees from the last round that shall take place in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague starting March 24.

For the overall summary of nominees with the highest number of votes, please visit
zde.

For additional information, see www.czechgranddesign.cz.

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