Holistic Design & Brave Blooms

Arts & Events, Design - by Open Journal

31st March, 2021

With human connectedness edging out of an all time low – thanks to the COVID climate and the rise in emerging technologies that largely prioritise digital efficiency over physical interfaces – holistic design has been rocketed into relevance. During Melbourne Design Week 2021, Brave Blooms brought together a collective of leading designers to celebrate the kindred connections present across disciplines, intents, platforms and outcomes.

Holistic design is the movement towards connecting with nature and making conscious decisions that consider the planet, animals and people. It’s an essential step towards protecting the natural resources we have left while also supporting local industry and creating an ecosystem of compassion, kindness and community.

During Melbourne Design Week Brave Blooms, an immersive exhibition presented by holistic design studio Quertier, covered themes of ethical and sustainable design, interior styling, conscious living, community, ritual, and mindfulness. We spoke with Tracy Quertier to find out more about the philosophy behind holistic practice.

Open Journal | Brave Blooms marks the alignment of multi-disciplinary holistic design practices and the natural environment. What responsibility do you feel the design industry has in redefining how we live alongside nature?

Tracy Quertier | Our connection to nature is vital. It harmonises our mind and spirit, allowing us to have a deeper understanding and respect for the natural world around us. Humankind is one part of the planet and our survival depends on our ability to maintain and respect our place in it. The planet’s system is self-regulating, and all things are mutually dependant. The design industry plays a core part in this connection. By steering consumers towards products that are ethical, sustainable, cruelty free, healthy and toxin free we can live a more harmonious life whilst helping conserve our planet. I feel the design industry also has a core responsibility to educate consumers on the kinds of products that are healthy for their homes. Over 80% of the world’s population live in cities and 90% of our time is spent indoors, the indoors can be 50% more polluted than the outdoors.

OJ | Have there been some defining themes across the way the 29 exhibiting designers at Brave Blooms have interpreted humanity’s relationship with nature?

TQ | Yes, the designers where possible have sourced and used materials that are natural, sustainable, recycled or inspired by nature. Some of these materials include glass, wood, metals, stone, ceramics and textiles such as cotton and linen. Many of the artists featured have been inspired by nature, such as Simone Panepinto’s wild life photography, Candice Perese’s floral inspired drawings and shapes and my own textile designs use marble forms and floral motifs to help us connect to nature. Both Mark Stoner and Daniel Barbera use stone materials in their work, these pieces really magnetised people to touch and feel, stone is a stabilising element and grounds us.

OJ | How will Quertier Holistic Design continue to support the significant relationship between wellness and a connection to the natural world within our urban ones?

TQ | Quertier aims to continue to educate and inspire design choices that support and harmonise homes. The reality is that a vast part of the modern world has lost respect for the natural world due to our disconnection from nature, instead we are taking all that we can – leading to deforestation, mass extinction of animals and depleted energy resources. Quertier aims to help turn this situation around, by acting now we can make more conscious design decisions that consider the environment and treatment of animals.

Photography | Dylan James