Following the success of the UK, Italy and Lebanon editions, China will showcase its Rising Talents at Maison&Objet this month.
The decision to focus on China’s young designers is testament to the country’s rapid design-led growth, reflecting Maison&Objet’s efforts to remain at the forefront of international design progress and development.
Life in today’s China moves quickly, and the design industry’s rapid development reflects wider society’s growth and progress. A decade of change is crafting a new Chinese aesthetic, with increasingly higher standards of professionalism and a renewed commitment to good craftsmanship, innovation and quality. This has impacted both how designers see themselves, and also how their work is viewed in China and around the world.
“What is most interesting is the Chinese designer’s search for identity, to not just be a look-like of Western design but how to fold in the centuries-old rich Chinese craftsmanship heritage and tradition,” says Rising Talent Awards jury member Luca Nichetto.
“There is much proof they are going in the right direction. I am very curious to see how this will evolve.
“Currently, the Chinese middle class is very much interpreting design as art, but as it shifts to more design as function it will be exciting to see how it will impact both Chinese design and what we from the west will learn from it. My personal hope, and goal, has been to focus instead on high craftsmanship and heritage―objects one is proud to own, admire and pass onto the next generation,” Nichetto adds.
Rising Talents this year include Frank Chou, Chen Furong, Mario Tsai, Ximi Li and Bentu. While some prefer a China-centric approach, others have absorbed multicultural influences by studying, working and living abroad. But all are committed to forming a new Chinese language of design.
“With the rapid growth of the Chinese economy and the need for a cultural expression of its own, we see a large number of emerging designers that have started to create their own voice that deals with issue of heritage and identity,” says jury member Lyndon Neri of Neri&Hu.
Nichetto adds that China has, for many years now, been the world’s industry supply chain leader and is fast turning into a hotbed for design opportunity for both local and global designers.
“Chinese designers are realising the power of their own proximity to an established manufacturing base, and are taking full advantage of it.”
Maison&Objet is held from 18 to 22 January 2019 at the Exhibition Centre, Paris Nord Villepinte.
