112
Training knowhow
under THE PATRONAGE OF VACHERON CONSTANTIN, THE ECAL STUDENTS IN LAUSANNE WORK WITH 12 CRAFTSMEN GIVING FREE REIN TO THEIR CREATIVITY
LIFE’S
“We consider craftsmanship to be one of the exemplary forms of human activity,” wrote Simone de Beauvoir in The Prime of Life (1960). Here at ECAL (University of Art and Design Lausanne), artistic workmanship has always been an essential element of our many design projects. We have further nurtured this philosophy through the support that Vacheron Constantin, a devoted advocate of time-honoured métiers d’art, contributes to our Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship (MAS DLC). Our collaboration with the prestigious Manufacture of fine watchmaking began two years ago, bringing one success after another. At the Elac Gallery (ECAL’s exhibition space) we presented Arts & Crafts & Design. Time according to Alessandro Mendini and his artisans, in association with the Cologni Foundation for the Métiers d’Art. Each year, the Master’s students have the chance to experience first-hand the skills of the Geneva Maison’s master craftsmen. Vacheron Constantin awards a special prize at the graduation ceremony, and together we create unique projects: the calibre 1731 inspired a dreamlike installation (made with the cooperation of the students in the bachelor degree course in Media & Interaction Design and Industrial Design) that was presented at the 2014 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Our partnership evolves to yet another dimension thanks to an outstanding exhibition (also organised in partnership with the Cologni Foundation) that blends craftsmanship and design in the VIP room of the Swiss Pavilion at the Milan EXPO: Arts & Crafts & Design: Time according to ECAL and Swiss Craftsmen. In the semester-long workshop directed by Italian designers Simone Farresin and Andrea Trimarchi of Formafantasma, twelve international students from the MAS DLC course were paired to twelve artisans to develop the theme of the cycle of seasons. Resulting in the creation of three projects for each season that will be displayed on four separate platforms. Visitors will have the chance to see furniture made by a creator of automatons; a picnic hamper made by a saddler; a vase created with a glassblower; a mirror cast in an aluminium foundry; a lamp made by a marble-worker; hatchet and knives developed with an expert in carbon fibre; a composition assembled with a master glass-maker; plates designed with a ceramic artist; fans developed with a specialist in papercutting; marquetry plates; a millstone by a stone sculptor; a music box made with a lute-maker. Through this partnership, our students explore formidable crafts that are facing oblivion. At the very peak of our industrial age, this project proves how craftsmanship still arouses great interest in young people, encouraging their creative freedom.
by Alexis Georgacopoulos
112 Eng_ECAL.indd 112
05/03/15 20:16