Projector magazine. Issue #41
This issue of the Projector magazine is a result of collaboration with the French Institute in Saint-Petersburg. It is dedicated entirely to the French furniture and object design. This issue has two covers and you may surf through its pages from any side — either with the historical publications unearthing the stories of the past, or with the interviews of the contemporary French designers.
The historical chapter starts with an article by Pavel Ulianov, dedicated to the history of the French metal furniture. «Metal chairs have become a symbol of French parks and public areas: 150 years ago, the the idea of stackable furniture was demonstrated to the world. A metal chair in the park is not a less recognizable symbol of France than the Eiffel Tower: they both embody new technologies and designs of the era.»
Next Artyom Dezhurko tells the story of Charlotte Perriand: «Her works have never been manufactured in large batches for sale in stores. Therefore, her chests-of-drawers, stools and chairs are collectible rarities.»
And we republish the article about Jean Prouve written by Margarita Morozova for the Projector magazine back in 2012. «The three pillars of good design according to Jean Prouve — construction, material and shape — have received a contemporary interpretation and a new look.»
After I met Caroline Ziegler and Pierre Brichet in their Paris studio, I became a fan of their «Wild chairs» collection. So, the main focus of the publication is on these remarkable objects. «Limited collections require a lot of interesting and specific techniques not existing in mass manufacturing, which is also fabulous to experience, ” — say Caroline and Pierre.
Didier Faustino became our guest in the series of public talks and interviews, organized in collaboration with the French Institute. «We have always challenged ourselves with impossible or questionable tasks. Our projects have a lot in common if we mention aesthetics and shapes, but the solution is always very contextual, ” — says Didier.
Marine Peyre says: «Being a designer isn’t easy, so stay strong!Be curious and take time to open a book. Pinterest is not about delving into culture and design, and it’s essential to know the roots of every particular item.» We used to meet in Paris in September 2023, and I’m grateful to Marine for her participation in the series of our artist talks.
In this issue I was searching for the answer to the question about the features of the contemporary French design, and what the «frenchness» in design actually is. «The crucial feature of French design is its aesthetic and personal approach. Wherever designers get their inspiration from, they always get a very personal outcome — just the same as in my case, ” — answers Juliene Vidame in his interview.
We published an interview with Thomas Bernard in a Russian version back in 2013. It was never published in English before. «I like the idea that there are no bad projects. It’s always possible to make a good design which solves a problem, with a sensitive, poetical and amazing approach, ” — says Thomas.
Pierre-Louis Gerlier: «France is my starting point. I don’t know where I’ll end up. I feel very French in some ways. Other very French traits annoy me terribly. I would say that I am profoundly French and totally focused on the horizon, which has no borders.»
