FRIDAY MATTERS by K-Studio

Beauty Interrobang

Friday Matters blends the academic rigour of a lecture, the Intimacy of a friendly gathering, and the excitement of a Friday night out.

It seeks to bring design conversations outside of the conventional setting, and infuse them with a convivial atmosphere, complete with a reasonable amount of alcohol.

What are the pursuits and the vehicles of a design process? Who are the key players in defining a project’s direction, and when do those emerge? What makes a design good, beautiful, sophisticated?

By welcoming guests from various disciplines to share their insights and experiences, FRIDAY MATTERS promotes interdisciplinary exchange, enriching the design community’s perspective. In order to find new ways to communicate our ideas & values, we shift the focus away from our completed works, onto the stories & people behind them. Employing an engaging and interactive format that encourages dialogue and knowledge exchange, we aspire to create a relaxed and informal setting; to foster a sense of community by celebrating the diversity and dynamism of the design field and innovate with the event format to keep discussions lively and engaging, making each gathering unique.

FRIDAY MATTERS attempts to blend the intellectual stimulation of a design talk with the social enjoyment of a Friday night out; to initiate a dialogue on some of the most common and burning concerns of creation. Ultimately, FRIDAY MATTERS aspires to create a space where design professionals and enthusiasts can come together, share ideas, and enjoy themselves, inspiring and invigorating the design community.

Through the perspective of our guest Nikos Karaflos (CEO of Dexamenes Seaside Hotel), we set out to explore the concept of Beauty, delving into the significance of experience, aesthetics and emerging technologies, how they evoke emotion and influence our perception of beauty.

The event comprised three parts. The first featured a physical installation, a curated selection of “objects of beauty” exhibited to highlight the physical and tactile qualities of beauty. Items included a Barbie doll, surgical tools, a mirror, concrete samples, and flowers among others. As guests were greeted into the venue, they got the chance to explore the exhibits, discuss and reflect upon them, and “vote” on their favourites, akin to an auction. The audience engaged deeply with the installation, exploring the notions and metaphors of beauty each piece represented. At the end of the event, the “winner” was revealed: a pair of tall melting candles, symbolising the passage of time, the fleeting nature of beauty, and the sensory qualities beyond visual imagery, such as warmth, movement, and smell.

In the second part, our guest speaker elaborated on his perspective of Beauty, emphasising the message: “Beauty is Values.” Using his personal project, Dexamenes hotel, as a case study, he guided the audience through the qualities and ideas that shaped his business into a beloved destination. Concepts such as rituals, slowness, rhythm, and togetherness were highlighted.

The talk was followed by a Q&A session, leading to a rich discussion between guests and team members that uncovered intriguing sub-themes around Beauty. A significant portion of the discussion focused on artificial intelligence, image-based software, and design ethics.

After the talk, the conversation continued in smaller groups, followed by drinks and an energetic DJ set, marking the official launch party of FRIDAY MATTERS.

With the support of Marmyk, Myran

Drinks by METAXA

Special Guest: Nikos Karaflos, Imagineer & CEO of Dexamenes Seaside Hotel

Sound/Lighting Technician: Greg Magos

Music: DJ Stylobaths

Photography: Douglas Eveleigh

Video: George Kariotis