Whether in the USA, Britain, or Belgium, Finland, Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, or China: everywhere, cities are shrinking.

The dramatic development in eastern Germany since 1989, which has led to more than a million empty apartments and to the abandoning of countless industrial parks and social and cultural facilities, has proven to be no exception, but a general pattern of our civilization.

Shrunken cities contradict the image, familiar since the Industrial Revolution, of the "boomtown", a big city characterized by constant economic and demographic growth. Shrunken cities spur a reconsideration not only of traditional ideas of the European city, but also of the future development of urban worlds.

Jewelry is commonly perceived as a beautiful piece of wearable art: stand-alone, sculptural, and aloof. However, in order to understand contemporary jewelry design, we need to view the work as we would the product of any design field: as conceptual projects, as material studies, as social commentaries, and as connections to the past.

The various creations by international designers presented in this book give us an outline on current trends and developments in the field of jewelry. Their work is presented as a snapshot of individual practices, a broad sampling of innovative creations and forward-looking designers. What unites them are everyday considerations on context and production.

The imm 2007 proved to be a huge success for all involved, for you the exhibitors as well as for us.

For January 2008 we planned to break all boundaries.

From January 14th untill 20th DESIGNSPOTTER offered the great opportunity to present young designers products in the heart of the imm 2008 to a wide audience of experts and visitors.

Close your mouths and open your eyes because DESIGNSPOTTER.com @ imm 2008 meant

> 50 international designers
> 450 square meters exhibition space
> more than 110.000 visitors

Watch out for our picture and video gallery.

REDLIGHT FASHION AMSTERDAM

Who could imagine buying the latest couture party dress in the Red light district?
As from January 2008, it is possible. Next-door to the Amsterdam girls of
pleasure, fashion design will be displayed in the windows.

The Red Light Fashion Amsterdam project originates from a collaboration
between the municipality of Amsterdam, NV Stadsgoed and HTNK, consultancy
and recruitment agency of the fashion industry. In order to redevelop the centre,
NV Stadsgoed bought several brothels. For the period of one year these
buildings will be loaned to Dutch fashion design talents and used as shop-
windows, workshops and living areas.

COLOGNE’S OFF-SHOW FOR CONTEMPORARY ART

Starting in August 22nd till 31st 2008 „ARTRMX COLOGNE VOL.01” is a topic
based art festival presenting contemporary photography, street art, painting,
graphics, installation and video art in an extraordinary frame – a platform for
lively exchanges between international artists, collectors, gallery-owners and art
interested people.

From almost 400 submitted works the jury chose 52 artists who will exhibit their
works in different locations (such as galleries, apartments, shops, empty
buildings and off-site locations) throughout Cologne accompanied by a frame
program with lectures and opening parties.