Design Indaba Alive - Interview with Aidan Bennets

As we paraded the corridors of the exhibition there was large huddle of commotion around a little design stand that could not be avoided, and the lemming in me was quick to follow suit and find out what was causing the fuss.

Aidan Bennets was showcasing his new line of sustainable interior design, particularly furniture, and the fact that the crowd consisted predominantly of girls made me think the interest was more in Top Billing’s ‘hunky handyman’ than the works themselves. The works however caught the eye and we decided to sit down and pick Aidan’s mind about all things design as we continue to showcase the best of the Design indaba 2009.

In classic style, we opened with the CTA debate of whether pirates or outlaws are better, and with Aidan’s response I quickly realised that we were dealing with far more that a sparkling smile that may be recognised on cameras, but an intricate mind that was full of passion for the world of creativity. Aidan, to my dismay, decided he would rather be a pirate. His rationale, outlaws are criminals, who vex people with there steely ways. Pirates, he felt, were not fit in that malicious mould and rather lived a nomadic existence on the open seas. He qualified that if we really look at it, pirates are outlaws of the sea.

And with the first step well wrapped we continued chatting and moved our focus towards the designs, inspirations and the future.
Aidan expressed his necessity to create new things every day. ‘This is my passion’ he exclaims as he continues how his path has become a pursuit of a dream, driven by his enthusiasm for design and an insatiably creative nature.

Aidan noted early in his youth that he had a tendency for creativity and it was this realisation that had him pursue tertiary education in the field of fine arts. And it is from that base that he has begun driving to re-invent and re-create all elements of design with his aim to create design solutions to everyday problems. Be it space issues, or environmentally based design, Aidan works from a guise, and token trademark, of ‘conscious creation’. He expresses vividly that design is governed by the imagination, but people can not be carried away by the aesthetics of things. He continues that all work must comprise a characteristic practicality. In no way can problems be solved if imaginations are governed by a pursuit of vanity rather than an element of practicality.

The more this guy speaks the deeper my hypnosis falls, as word after word has me leaning into a reassessment of my direction in this world of boundless information and opportunity.

We move from the blueprint of Aidan’s design mind into the works that have brought him here today. He again stresses the practical component, as he showcases his works that have been grafted in the tune of ‘sustainability’. His sustainable notion is two fold. Firstly, pieces must be made of environmentally sustainable and available resources, which he qualifies by saying that ‘there is no reason for me to cut down an entire forest to create a teak coffee table when an abundance of alternative materials are on offer.secondly, they must be sustainable through both durability and time. items should last forever, while maintaining a classic feel. Aidan is inspired by nature, and incorporates a natural equilibrium into the vision of all his works.

On show is his sustainable products range with a Mao bamboo and a laminated cardboard chair that resemble the ideology of environmental friendly work. He describes the work as ‘minimum amount of matter with maximum honesty’.

To close we discuss the event as a whole and our design presence as bigger against international markets. He can not speak more highly of the event and of the works of local designers who are crafting astounding works amidst a nation of scarce resources in comparison to international budgets. He echoes our thoughts that the event is such a great success for budding minds that are flooding through the doors, inspiring future designers to enter such an artistic trade.

After talking to Aidan it becomes clear that if the work themselves don’t fly off shelves, then the character that he has passed through his passion for design surely will. After our interview it became clear that the huddled masses I first saw were not their oogling this TV celeb, but rather being wooed by the charismatic nature of a designer using his personality to express his creativity… at least not all of them

Contact Aidan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit his website at www.aidanbennets.co.za