Editorial
New horizons for reflection
on the world we live in,
as well as the one that is
taking shape.
Gaël Perdriau
Mayor of Saint-Étienne — President of Saint Etienne Métropole — Chairman of the Cité du design and the ESADSE (Saint-Etienne Higher School of Art and Design)
This year the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne is celebrating its tenth edition.
A strong sign of the intensive creativity of the people of Saint-Etienne, of their enthusiasm and the entrepreneurial spirit has always fired them, this anniversary comes as proof of the longevity of an event that has firmly established itself a reference and has become, along with the digital industry, one of the strong identifying features of our district. The 2015 edition was attended by 208,000 visitors and 6,200 professionals who took part in a Biennale whose central theme was "The Experiences of Beauty".
It is because I wanted to ensure that the Biennale is open to everyone, that it brings together what is now a multitude of different audiences and people who converge in large numbers on our district, and that it unfolds on the local, regional, national and international stage the numerous fields where design plays a role.
It justifies its role with companies by showing how it can be an accelerator of their performances; it bears fervent witness to the ability of design to accompany the development of our district, through ever more innovative experimentations: this year Banc d'essai 2017 (Test bench), an initiative I was keen to introduce at the last edition, which invites users to try out prototypes of urban furniture in the public space in order to enable them to appropriate design as something relevant to them, is joined by the Rue de la République du Design, a life-size experiment - unseen until now - in revitalising - local shops.
A strong sign of the intensive creativity of the people of Saint-Etienne, of their enthusiasm and the entrepreneurial spirit has always fired them, this anniversary comes as proof of the longevity of an event that has firmly established itself a reference and has become, along with the digital industry, one of the strong identifying features of our district. The 2015 edition was attended by 208,000 visitors and 6,200 professionals who took part in a Biennale whose central theme was "The Experiences of Beauty".
It is because I wanted to ensure that the Biennale is open to everyone, that it brings together what is now a multitude of different audiences and people who converge in large numbers on our district, and that it unfolds on the local, regional, national and international stage the numerous fields where design plays a role.
It justifies its role with companies by showing how it can be an accelerator of their performances; it bears fervent witness to the ability of design to accompany the development of our district, through ever more innovative experimentations: this year Banc d'essai 2017 (Test bench), an initiative I was keen to introduce at the last edition, which invites users to try out prototypes of urban furniture in the public space in order to enable them to appropriate design as something relevant to them, is joined by the Rue de la République du Design, a life-size experiment - unseen until now - in revitalising - local shops.
Gaël PerdriauThis 10th edition of the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Etienne also aims to open up new horizons for reflection on the world we live in, as well as the one that is taking shape. By choosing a theme that has become universal, changes in the world of work - shifting work paradigms - the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Etienne 2017 is positioning itself at a crossroads where scientific, cultural, economic and societal issues meet and, more than ever, make sense.
Renowned French and international designers, young talents trained at the ESADSE (Saint-Etienne Higher School of Art and Design) and at the other higher education institutes who are our guests this time, innovative companies, attentive partners, local talents... they have all mobilised with great enthusiasm around the theme of "Working Promesse, shifting work paradigms" to guarantee you another intense experience of design.
So, Happy Birthday, and long life the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Etienne!
Renowned French and international designers, young talents trained at the ESADSE (Saint-Etienne Higher School of Art and Design) and at the other higher education institutes who are our guests this time, innovative companies, attentive partners, local talents... they have all mobilised with great enthusiasm around the theme of "Working Promesse, shifting work paradigms" to guarantee you another intense experience of design.
So, Happy Birthday, and long life the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Etienne!
