OBJET PREFERE

Press releases

A unique collection of 15 pieces of furniture designed by Fabrica, on show at the Grand-Hornu site in Belgium

29 May – 23 October 2011

An unprecedented initiative, the result of research in a class of its own, this fabulous collection represents a perfect fusion of brilliant design and superb execution. An emblematic illustration of collective intelligence.

Françoise Foulon, director of Grand-Hornu Images

Treviso, May 2011. A knife, train journeys, a jewel, a beer glass and books are just some of the revealing objects that have inspired Objet Préféré, a unique collection of 15 pieces of furniture created following a workshop between young Fabrica designers and personnel - craftsmen, technicians, office staff - of the Grand-Hornu Images cultural centre in Belgium.

An intense and rewarding week of exchanges, brainstorming, interviews and photographic sessions on the theme "Favourite Object”, which led to the creation of 15 pieces of furniture that represent a perfect fusion between the creative and design talent of young artist-researchers from the Benetton Group's communication research centre, and the expert skills of Grand-Hornu technicians.

As stated by Sam Baron, responsible of the Fabrica design area, “the main challenge of this project was to illustrate, by means of a unique and special exhibition, the beauty of the favourite objects of Grand-Hornu personnel. Design therefore becomes a way of uniting communities of people of different background, language and age.”

People like Marie-Jeanne Vanaise, from the educational department, who said that her favourite object was a 18th century silver fork on show at the Goldsmith’s Museum in Seneffe Castle in Belgium. A pointed object, but which at the same time recalls the curves of a voluptuous female figure. A somewhat “prohibited” object because, although visually accessible to all, it cannot be touched or used since it is protected by a showcase.

The concierge Maryvonne, on the other hand, hates being in the dark and that’s why her favourite objects are modern chandeliers which, for her, symbolise light and therefore life.

For David Vilain, electrician, the object he likes best is a big wooden aviary which he has in his garden and in which he breeds hundreds of birds. Hearing them sing, taking care of them and seeing them grow is, for David, a source of happiness and satisfaction.

Her own first baby shoes are the favourite object of Françoise Foulon, director of Grand-Hornu Images. Given to her by her 91 year old mother, these shoes are for her a symbol of her first steps in life.

Fabrica is a communication research centre financed by the Benetton Group. It was created in 1994 with the aim of combining culture with industry and offering young people from around the world an opportunity for creative growth and multicultural interchange. Fabrica is based in Treviso, in a complex restored and enlarged by Tadao Ando. Fabrica invites young artists/designers to its centre, offering them a one-year study grant and providing them with a professional training opportunity and a wealth of resources and relations. The young resident artists develop cultural and social communication projects in the areas of design, visual communication, photography, interaction, video, music and publishing under the guidance of experts.

www.fabrica.it

www.fabricafeatures.com

Founded in 1984, the non-profit association Grand-Hornu Images has, as its objective, the promotion of tourism and the local urban heritage by organising international exhibitions on applied design and arts and building up a design collection consistent with the exhibition policy. The association is today considered by the French-speaking community of Belgium as a flagship structure for the promotion of design.

Grand-Hornu is an old mining complex, an important legacy of the industrial revolution. Built between 1810 and 1830 by Henri De Gorge, a captain of industry of French origin, it is a unique example of functional urbanism in Europe.

www.grand-hornu-images.be

Objet Préféré

29 May – 23 October 2011

Grand-Hornu

Rue Sainte-Louise 82

BE 7301 Hornu

Tel: +32 65652121

Fax: +32 65613897

Info.ghi@grand-hornu.be

www.grand-hornu.be

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