The Saint-Étienne International Design Biennial Opens its Doors and Pays Tribute to Armenia
St Étienne boasts a solid industrial legacy inherited from the Ancien Régime, when the town was a prolific firearms manufacturer. Over time, the industry shifted towards the manufacture of other objects, for civilian use, providing a testing ground for generations of designers. As a result, St Étienne became the obvious choice for a design biennial in 1998. The event celebrates the city’s expertise and has won international acclaim, attracting visitors from 60 countries around the world. This year, the programme pays tribute to Armenia. While most of us are aware of the country’s current predicament, fewer know that Armenia was once the birthplace of design. Under the former USSR, the country was producing all the everyday objects of the Eastern block. Besides the tribute to the guest country, this year, the Biennial also reflects on topical issues through its theme, “Ressource(s), présager demain” (“Resource(s), foreshadowing tomorrow”), which unfolds through a rich and varied programme destined to all audiences. Bearing the same name, the main exhibition is articulated around the figure of the designer and givesz voice to nine designers, invited as co-curators. The uncertainties of climate, AI and the issues of our times are all sources of inspiration that give rise to a wealth of ideas.
At the opening, we crossed paths with Laurence Salmon, Marc Chassaubéné, Eric Jourdan, Nairi Khatchadourian, Jean-François Dingjian, Eloi Chafaï, and many others.
Photo: Michaël Huard
