13 - 22 October 2006
Kortrijk XPO
lamps: Established & Sons, Alexander Taylor
Feek, Freya Jones
Vitra, Verner Panton
While 38 years ago, the word ‘design’ was still taboo, suggesting an unattainable and expensive world, it is now a common concept which enters our lives in many shapes and guises. The iPod is design. The latest flacon of Armani perfume is design. Even the NMBS (the Belgian railway operator) who worked with Henri van de Velde a long time ago, now found the courage to commission a contemporary designer such as Stefan Schöning. A new visual paradigm to improve the comfort and ease of use for rail travellers. Clearly “designed for you”.
INTERIEUR 06 reflects this evolution. It features a Swiss Guest of Honour who designs objects which are made for real people, such as the striped cups for Iittala. Sound and simple lines leave much room for colourful humour. These are designs which speak to the user. INTERIEUR 06 also features two fashion designers who show that design is more than the cut of a pair of trousers, a shirt or a handbag. They show the interior of their designs. A text balloon from a comic serves as a logo which hangs over the campaign like a little cloud.
Since 1968, the Interieur Biennale has built a strong tradition. Twenty Guests of Honour, including designers such as Verner Panton, Alessandro Mendini and Philippe Starck, showed their designs to the public. Twenty Biennales displayed innovative designs. That also was “design for you”.
Since 1968, the Interieur Biennale has become an international trend-setting platform in the world of design, often copied but never equalled. This 20th edition not only looks back on this tradition, but builds on it. Twenty editions are a history with many styles, a fantastic world of forms, and a treasure trove of anecdotes.
Alfredo Häberli, Guest of Honour
It has been a tradition at the Interieur Biennale in Kortrijk since 1968 to invite international designers as Guest of Honour. For the twentieth edition, the choice went to an international designer with a surprising and fascinating portfolio.
From footwear and sofas to chairs and glass: Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli has shown he is at home in various fields. He produced work for European companies such as Alias, Authentics, Classicon, Danese, Driade, Iittala, Luceplan, Moroso, Thonet and Zanotta. He is at present designing projects for Camper, Volvo, Ruckstuhl and Kvadrat, an indication that his best is still to come.
Alfredo Häberli (°1964, Buenos Aires, Argentina) moved with his family to Switzerland when he was thirteen. After studying architecture, he graduated as industrial designer at the renowned Höhere Schule für Gestaltung in Zürich. He collaborated at various exhibitions in the Municipal Design Museum in Zürich, the artistic centre of Switzerland. He still lives and works in that city.
