By Nina Azzarello
on april 1, 2020, new york gallery friedman benda initiated a series of online interviews aimed at connecting individuals across the world with leading voices in the creative field. Design in Dialogue is a conversational program hosted alternately by curator and historian glenn adamson and designer stephen burks that engages with designers, makers, critics, and curators as they reflect on their careers and creative processes. against the backdrop of COVID-19 and global lockdowns, the conversations are held virtually on zoom for 1 hour for anyone in the world to tune in to, and include a participatory Q&A with the audience in attendance. friedman benda has since presented more than 80 episodes, and will continue with a lineup of future guests, each offering unparalleled insight into the sensibilities, musings, and memories of today’s creative protagonists. see our recent feature of marcel wanders on his early experiences and entrepreneurial life, and andile dyalvane on ancestry, community and his sculptural ceramic seating.
on january 6, 2021, design in dialogue welcomed jonathan jackson, who leads multidisciplinary creative studio weshoulddoitall (WSDIA) alongside his wife, sarah nelson jackson. having studied architecture, jonathan leads a practice rooted in the built environment of brand activations, exhibitions, and installations, as well as furniture and graphic design — unconstrained by a singular expertise. in a conversation with stephen burks, jackson spoke about how alliances with high profile brands and non-profits alike help WSDIA balance commercial engagement with community development and timely social consciousness.
