The Hotel des Arts in Toulon is hosting an exhibition titled “Second Nature: Exhibition for Sustainable Design” from June 23 to November 5, 2023. This exhibition is a result of a unique partnership between the National Center for Plastic Arts (Cnap), the Mobilier national, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, and the Center Pompidou. It aims to showcase the national design collections in Toulon and features works from the four institutions, along with collaborations with the villa Noailles and the Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée.
The exhibition brings together around 50 designers and showcases 150 works that explore the various paths of sustainable design. The designers aim to better understand the plurality of approaches towards sustainable design in the face of the climate emergency. They are adapting and modifying ways of doing and producing, and introducing new daily uses.
The exhibition focuses on the renewal brought by contemporary designers to industrial production and manufacturing models. Designers are actively searching for solutions that integrate a strong social and ecological dimension. This includes open and collaborative practices, fighting against obsolescence and pollution, upcycling, reuse and recycling, innovation of materials, and biomanufacturing.
The exhibition also highlights the historical context of sustainable design. It references Victor Papanek’s book “Design for a Real World” from 1971, which advocated for responsible design that is socially committed and respectful of the environment and resources. It also mentions Andrea Branzi’s work in the mid-1980s, where he established a hybrid relationship between nature and industry. Additionally, the exhibition explores the influence of Droog design in the 1990s, which emphasized recovery, diversion, and a low-tech aesthetic.
Eco-design is now renewing manufacturing standards by rehabilitating vernacular techniques and using local or agricultural materials. Designers are also exploring bio-design, which involves collaborating with living things and rethinking the life cycle of biodegradable objects. Biomaterials, such as micro-algae and mushroom mycelium, are combined with digital 3D printing technologies to produce objects in small series.
The exhibition is divided into several chapters, including Critical and Speculative Design, Upcycling, New Material Cultures, Eco-design Landscapes, and Life Laboratories. The works from the Mobilier national, titled “Les Aliénés,” highlight the power of rehabilitating discarded objects.
The scenography of the exhibition is designed by Arthur Hoffner, who won the public and city prize of the Design Parade Hyères in 2017. The exhibition space is a combination of a workshop, laboratory, domestic space, and museum. The objects are observed within a diorama under construction, presenting a story that diverts from the traditional design exhibition and challenges the visitor’s perspective.
The exhibition is curated by Marie-Ange Brayer and Olivier Zeitoun from the Center Pompidou, in collaboration with Julia Balduini from the Center Pompidou, Sandra Cattini from Cnap, and Lucile Montagne from the Mobilier national. It is co-produced by the villa Noailles and the Hôtel des Arts Toulon Provence Méditerranée, in co-organization with the Center Pompidou.
“Second Nature: Exhibition for Sustainable Design” explores the many facets of sustainable design, bridging the gap between matter and imagination. It showcases the innovative and socially conscious work of designers who are actively contributing to a more sustainable future.
For more information about the exhibition, visit the official website of the Hotel des Arts in Toulon.
What role does the collaborative efforts of various institutions and designers play in promoting sustainable practices in design through the “Hetic” exhibition
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Through this exhibition, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of design on sustainable development and the environment. They will have the opportunity to explore the different approaches and innovations that designers are implementing to address the challenges of the climate emergency.
The Hotel des Arts provides a fitting backdrop for this exhibition, with its commitment to promoting contemporary art and design. Located in Toulon, a city known for its cultural heritage and artistic community, the hotel offers a unique space for showcasing and celebrating sustainable design.
This exhibition is a testament to the collaborative efforts of various institutions and designers to promote sustainable practices in design. By bringing together the national design collections and collaborating with other entities dedicated to sustainability, the exhibition aims to inspire and encourage visitors to reconsider their own consumption habits and the role of design in shaping a more sustainable future.
The “Second Nature: Exhibition for Sustainable Design” is set to be a thought-provoking and inspiring experience for visitors, encouraging them to reflect on the impact of design choices on the environment and to embrace more sustainable alternatives in their everyday lives.
