European Heritage Days

On the occasion of the European Heritage Days on September 17 and 18, 2022 on the theme of “Sustainable Heritage”, the Dosne-Thiers Foundation hosted an exhibition of 36 craftsmen and designers who preserve and enhance our resources through their environmentally-friendly production approach. Over 2,800 visitors discovered works based on recycled, upcycled or eco-responsibly designed materials. Through demonstrations of techniques, tools and materials, exhibitors shared with the public the positive impact of high quality, conscious and reasoned creation.

French Craft is very proud to have supported this remarkable event, the fruit of an entirely voluntary collaboration organized by Laurel Conway.

Based on the theme of sustainable heritage, the exhibition at the prestigious Fondation Dosne-Thiers spotlighted the art and design professions and their prodigious capacity to create high-quality, conscious and thoughtful creations.

More than 40 designers and craftsmen presented exceptional pieces using recycled, upcycled or ecologically responsible materials.

TWO ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSIONS

ROUND TABLE | Disposable consumption versus sustainable consumption: the role of art and design professions | Saturday, September 17, 4:30 pm

What solutions are the art and design professions developing to influence our consumption patterns and offer creations that are as remarkable as they are eco-responsible? Through concrete examples such as the development of local supply chains or ecosystems conducive to production and innovation, how do these players combine sustainability with desirability, going beyond ephemeral trends?

With Gérard Desquand - President of the Artisanat d'art jury of the Fondation Banque Populaire; Marc Bayard - Head of cultural and scientific development at Mobilier National; Aurélien Fouillet - Teacher-researcher, PhD in sociology; Valérie Accary - Founder of the MétamorFoses association.

Moderator: Magali Lancien - General Delegate of the French Craft Guild

ROUND TABLE | Innovation and sustainability: how art and design reinvent materials and gestures | Sunday, September 18 at 4:30 pm

How have environmental issues stimulated the practices of craftsmen and designers? How have they adapted to combine know-how and innovation? How do they revisit known resources and traditional techniques? By using new technologies and scientific advances, or by recycling neglected materials, what new uses do they offer us?

With Quentin Hirsinger - President of MateriO'; Luc Monvoisin - Founder of design agency KATABA; Sophie Chénel - Managing Director of Procédés Chénel International; Tony Jouanneau - Founder of Atelier Sumbiosis; Rebecca Fezard - Co-founder of Hors-Studio; Guillian Graves - Founder of Agence Big Bang Project.

Moderator: Magali Lancien - General Delegate of the French Craft Guild

It was worth remembering, even with the means at our disposal! Thanks to all those who helped us fill the “image box”, and thanks to the participants in the round-table discussions that punctuated these two days of transmission and sharing: a summary of their contributions is available to download below.

ART AND DESIGN PROFESSIONS: CREATING A SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE, ENHANCING NATURAL HERITAGE