Journal

Design industry unites to shed focus on the global refugee crisis

Fundamental to the design industry’s existence is the reality that we all have a home to live in. But what happens when we have to leave that place where we have built a life?

Global refugee crisis

It is a question Lucie Kaas will be posing again in the run up to World Refugee Day the 20th of June. Answering this question are some of the most respected names in the design industry such as Studiopepe, Norm Architects, Space Copenhagen, Sebastian Herkner, Søren Rose, Masquespacio and many more.

During the 2020 edition of 3daysofdesign, Lucie Kaas participated through an installation titled “When we leave our homes, where do we go?” The brand used this design event as a platform to raise focus towards the Global Refugee Crisis. The installation was curated together with Jens-Peter Brask where 15 different artists contributed works painted on a 60 cm Kokeshi doll, a shape central to Lucie Kaas’s brand. The pieces were auctioned off through Bruun Rasmussen, Scandinavia’s premier auction house. All auctioned prices were donated to the Danish Refugee Council.

The original campaign in 2020 was a success, however the plight of 79,5M people and counting remains. This year, in the run up to World Refugee Day, the 20th of June, the concept is expanded by uniting different players in the design industry in a digital campaign. They will answer a simple question, namely what a home means to them. Their reflections will be posted during the month of June through a digital campaign in an effort to raise awareness.

In addition to participant reflections, resources and information will be shared to gain more insights on the crisis. Lucie Kaas will in parallel be donating 20% of all online proceeds in the month of June to the Danish Refugee Council.

“When the Global Refugee Crisis became an in-house cause we focused on, the number of globally displaced was 70M - that number jumped to 79,5 ten months later and continues to grow. It’s a very politicized topic, however we hope the more people are informed, empathy and understanding will follow.”

Says Managing Director Ellora Rasmussen

Refugees and displaced persons are today among the furthest behind the curve when it comes to meeting the United Nations SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) targets and aspirations. Partnerships are key to close the gap. Lucie Kaas believes it is the responsibility of companies to have a social contract and are proud of the widespread backing for the initiative.

Participants:

Katrine Goldstein, Norm Architects (DK)
Ana Milena Hernández Palacios & Christophe Penasse, Masquespacio (ES)
Arielle Assouline-Lichten, Slash Objects (US)
Elaine Lu & Vincent Lim, Lim+Lu (HK)
Christian Troels (DK) Søren Rose (DK/US)
Sebastian Herkner (DE)
Judith Achumba-Wöllenstein, Akuko Studio (UK)
Arianna Lelli Mami & Chiara Di Pinto, Studiopepe (IT)
Morten Kaaber, Paper Collective (DK)
Signe Bindslev Henriksen & Peter Bundgaard Rützou, Space Copenhagen (DK)

Follow our Instagram & Facebook accounts the entire month of June to see their reflections.

Socials here