On the occasion of the inaugural Westbund Art & Design Fair in Shanghai, Pro Helvetia Shanghai, Design Preis Switzerland and swissnex China are presenting the exhibition “Excellent Swiss Design,” a continuation of last year’s “Swiss Design Kaleidoscope” at 2013 Beijing Design Week. Curated by Michel Hueter, “Excellent Swiss Design” features the work of five of Switzerland’s most exceptional young designers, demonstrating the intricate links between the core traditions of the finest European design and the fresh innovations of the Far East.
The exhibition officially kicked off by an opening reception in the afternoon of 25 September in the Westbund Art Center. This wonderful event witnessed the presence of the curator, artists, people from the media, and many other interested guests. Mr. Heinrich Schellenberg, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai, was specially invited to the venue to give a short speech on the occasion. He talked about Sino-Swiss collaboration on arts and briefly introduced the designers to the audience. After the speech people were guided around the exhibits which include Claudia Caviezel’s printed textile wallpaper Naturaleza, Michel Charlot’s everyday objects theme featuring pristine lamps, tables, chairs, and roll-up bins, Florie Dupont’s series of rhodium-plated silver pieces titled “The Remains Collection,” Mortiz Schmid’s oak shelf Etage, and Création Baumann AG’s e-broidery light textiles. Delicate, expressive, and creative, these pieces undoubtedly engaged nearly every passer-by who stopped to appreciate, interact, and take photos.
Swiss ingenuity in design was further shown to the general public at the Art & Design Forum between 26th and 29th following the opening reception. On the third day of the occasion, three award-winning Swiss designers - Michel Charlot, Mortiz Schmid, and Claudia Caviezel – gave intriguing and inspiring speeches about their individual design style and concept. The closing day of the forum featured the presence of Mrs. Chantal Prod'Hom, director of MUDAC museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, who shared with the audience her experiences in some of the most fantastic exhibitions in contemporary applied arts.
“Excellent Swiss Design” facilitated by Design Preis Switzerland, a highly prestigious biennial competition that has sat at the forefront of innovation in Swiss design since 1991, is on view until 26 October.
- Contributed by Dennis Wang, Academic Intern @swissnex China