Fabrica features Objet Préféré, at the Grand-Hornu in Belgium with an exceptional collection of fifteen furniture pieces designed by Fabrica.   The fifteen amazing furniture pieces have been created following a workshop between young Fabrica designers and personnel such as craftsmen, technicians, and office staff of the Grand-Hornu Images Cultural Center in Belgium.   The exhibition will be on display from Sunday, May 29, 2011 – Sunday, October 23, 2011.

Just to name a few, a knife, a jewel, a beer glass, a train journey, and books are some of the tangible and intangible objects which have acted as the backdrop of inspiration for the exhibition Objet Préféré.  This first-time, unparalleled scheme proposes a remarkable collection as it characterizes a perfect balance between dazzling design and very fine craftsmanship.  The challenge of this project was firstly and foremost to identify the favorite objects of the Grand-Hornu personnel; the story lying behind each tangible or intangible object, and how this object could be portrayed by means of a unique and special exhibition.  Design therefore ‘evolves’ challenging its identity, and the way it communicates itself by uniting groups of people with a different background, whether that is cultural, racial, language, age, and sex.
 

Once the objects were considerately selected a think-tank of ideas followed during a passionate and rewarding week of interactions, brainstorming, meetings and photographic sessions on the theme “Favorite Object.”  This process later led to the creation of fifteen pieces of furniture that represent an ideal fusion between the creative and design talent of young artist-researchers from the Benetton Group's communication research center - Fabrica, and the expert skills of Grand-Hornu technicians.

Marie-Jeanne Vanaise, a staff of the educational department of Grand-Hornu selected an 18th century silver fork as her ‘Objet Préféré – Favorite Object.’  The 18th century silver fork is showcased at the Goldsmith’s Museum in Seneffe Castle in Belgium. This pierce-shaped object, with the sleek curves of a voluptuous female figure is to some extent a “forbidden” object.  That is because although it visually accessible to all, it cannot come into contact with anyone other than selected museum staff as it is protected by a showcase.  This functional object is deprived of its functionality and is given a new use; as an exhibition object.  This object was carefully studied, and through the think-tank process it led to creation of a furniture piece.

Maryvonne, the concierge of Grand-Hornu despises the dark; her favorite object is a modern chandelier which for her symbolizes light.  Light represents life, existence, being and continuation.  This too was carefully translated into the design of the Objet Préféré furniture pieces.  The electrician David Vilain, selected a large 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.   This source of satisfaction and the connotations of the objects are evidently portrayed in the new design object which drew inspiration from David’s wooden aviary.

Last but not least, Françoise Foulon, the Director of Grand- Hornu Images selected a very important object, an object which has shaped her past, her present and her future; her very own first baby shoes; the minuscule baby-shoes were given to her by her 91-year old mother, these shoes are for her a symbol of her first steps in life.  A symbol with many tender, sweet memories of our past and our development in our social and private life till this day!  Foulon, was rather passionate by the progress and the outcome of the project, and specifically quoted, “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.”

The project was carefully and successfully carried out by Fabrica with the assistance and directorship on Sam Baron, Director of Fabrica design Department who quoted that “the main challenge of this project was to illustrate, by means of a unique and special exhibition, the beauty of the favorite objects of Grand-Hornu personnel. Design therefore becomes a way of uniting communities of people of different background, language and age.” 

We at Yatzer could only say Fabrica in collaboration with the personnel of Grand-Hornu Images has accomplished this main challenge, and have created a remarkable collection which signifies an ideal synthesis of dazzling design and outstanding execution!

ABOUT Grand-Hornu
Founded in 1984, the non-profit association has as its objective, the promotion of tourism and the local urban heritage by organizing 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.

ABOUT FABRICA ///
Fabrica is a communication research center 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.

Objet Préféré
May 29, 2011 – October 23, 2011
Grand-Hornu (www.grand-hornu.be)
Rue Sainte-Louise 82
BE 7301 Hornu