The Design is Dead Expo was part of the extensive side-program of the Enzo Mari Expo curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist with Francesca Giacomelli in C-Mine, Belgium.
The renowned Italian designer Enzo Mari is as much known for his revolutionary designs as for his critical attitude towards the design world. Mari considered the work of many young designers to be frivolous, superfluous and a waste of labor and material. His statement ‘Design is dead’ is therefore known worldwide.
Nine young designers from the Product Design department (LUCA School of Arts) question his controversial statement through designs for a funeral. Is design really dead? As the funeral industry to this day still uses many necessary but unsustainable practices, rethinking the industry is an essential task for these young designers. Inspired by Mari’s design philosophies, they demonstrate his broad view of design, which is still highly relevant today.