Ring the Bell

The second issue of Bell Magazine titled “blue 7” will be released on 16.05.2008 at the CREATE BERLIN showroom as a limited edition collector box with contributions created especially around the theme “blue 7”.

The exclusive box was created in cooperation with bell and CREATE BERLIN, the initiative for Berlin creativity and design.

In its second issue Bell Magazine and the Bell Box focus conceptually on the “blue-seven” phenomenon. Since the 70s it’s a known statistical fact that when people are asked about their favorite color and number the majority will list the color ‘blue’ and the number ‘7’. Bell Vol 2. investigates this mass cultural phenomenon of ours and raises at the same time a notion of beauty that can be calculated.

Featuring theoretical contributions as well as design and art objects, the creative contributors take on such questions of our time: is it desirable to create art or design that appeals to a large audience? Should art and design cater to or provoke? As a designer or artist do I use my insight to appeal to mass taste or do I seek to change this taste through my creativity?

In interpreting these questions bell gave the artists, designers, architects and theoreticians free creative reign to explore. By itself the title “blue 7” impels designers to develop the creative objects and artistic contributions according to their individual visions and to take up positions in relation to their work in the interviews featured in the accompanying Bell Magazine.

The diverse nature of the box has been shaped by artists and designers and features a special musician-designed music box by FS Blumm (Morr Music), jewelry made from purple rubber by product designer Ursula Bonderer, as well as a poster created by street-artist Nomad. Designer Andrea Pößnicker has also produced for the box an extravagant currency for consumers with an affinity for design. Addressing theoretically the theme “blue 7” lies with Design Professor Charly Frech (founder of Next At), philosopher Jörg Schäfer and Inga Wellmann (Einstein Forum), who take up their positions on the popular phenomenon in either a very personal manner or in the form of an objective analysis.

The release of Bell Vol. 2 will also be accompanied by an exhibition at the CREATE BERLIN Showroom from 16.05 to 27.06.2008. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the presentation, creative curiosity and a passion for collecting is likely to be rediscovered. During the opening celebration, artists and designers will present their ideas in person. With “blue 7” bell and CREATE BERLIN present an extraordinary overall concept—an unparalleled critical showing of art & design!