I am interested in issues related to material culture, identity, heritage and tradition. Personally, I see design as a carrier of cultural knowledge, as the storyteller of a context. I am interested in the narrative agency of things. To understand objects not for what they are, but what they mean and represent for local or specific contexts.
For me design is also a tool for researching and mapping stories, transforming materials and techniques. Primarily by establishing an honest relationship with people and communities, with their values and their traditions. A tool to preserve and celebrate diversity, the people and stories behind the making of things.
My work relates to the practices of anthropology and archeology. It is about being immersed in the field. About digging layers of information, to raise issues and find ways in which the past becomes relevant to the future. I would like to serve as a vehicle of inspiration, as a bridge in between. Ultimately, to take people onto a journey of discovery.
Born in Medellin, Colombia. I have recently graduated from the department of Man and Well Being at Design Academy Eindhoven with a research about Gold in regards to the Colombian heritage, history and identity.
Email: simonballenbotero@gmail.com
Phone: +31 648774594
nl / col
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Design Exhibitions
'Hope' Exhibition
Curated by Ilse Crawford and Oscar Peña at Kazerne Eindhoven
April - August 2019 / Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Future Classics at the FrozenFountain
February - June 2019 / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
CID Grand-Hornu
Hors Pistes project - Rencontres au Greenland
03 February to May 19th 2019 / Boussu, Belgium
Valeur(s) Exhibition at Merci - Paris
18th January to February 6th 2019 / Paris, France
Dutch Design Week.
“Suelo Orfebre” at Graduation Show G18. Design Academy Eindhoven
October 2018 / Eindhoven, Netherlands
Hors Pistes Exhibition at LokalMuseum
Results from design residency in Greenland
August 14th to September 10th 2017 / Nuuk, Greenland
Dutch Design Week.
“Children of the Sun” at Denf Exhibition DDW
October 2017 / Eindhoven, Netherlands
Milan Design Week.
“Feet on the ground” Film programming at TouchBase Exhibition DAE.
April 2016 / Milan, Italy
Man Made.
“Marry a Craftsman (Binded Brushes)” at Man and Well Being exhibition
June 2016 / Eindhoven, Netherlands
Arctic Design Week.
“Material Freedom” Beyond Books at Lapland University exhibition.
February 2015 / Rovaniemi, Finland
COOL 2014 satellite program.
“Material Freedom” at Beyond Books. Reading visual languages.
May - August 2014 / Fellbach, Germany
Experience:
Designer at Studio Formafantasma
Amsterdam, Netherlands / 2019 - Present
Freelancer at Perceptual
Medellin, Colombia / 2018 - Present
Design Residency Hors Pistes Project - Working with local craftspeople
Nuuk, Greenland / Summer 2017
Internship at Studio Formafantasma
Amsterdam, Netherlands / March - July 2017
Assisting Teresa van Dongen - DDW Exhibitions
Eindhoven, Netherlands / October 2014 & 2015
Product Development Intern at Perceptual Studio
Medellin, Colombia / July - August 2014
Teaching Assistant and Student tutor at EAFIT University
Medellin, Colombia / 2011 - 2013
Education:
Design Academy Eindhoven / Man & Well Being
Eindhoven, Netherlands / 2014 - Present
Icelandic Academy of Arts / Exchange Program at Product Design department
Reykjavik, Iceland / Autumn 2016
University of Lapland / Exchange Program at Faculty of Industrial Design
Rovaniemi, Finland / 2013 - 2014
IED - Istituto Europeo di Design / Summer course in Italian Product Design
Milan, Italy / Summer 2012
EAFIT University / Product Design Engineering
Medellin, Colombia / 2010 - 2013
Montessori High School
Medellin, Colombia / 2009
- For a more detailed CV don't hesitate to contact me
