“Alfredo Häberli was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1964. Today, he is an internationally established designer based in Zurich. He manages to unite tradition with innovation, joy and energy in his designs. The result are works with companies such as Alias, Camper, Iittala, Kvadrat, Luceplan, Moroso and Volvo.”
Alfredo also seems to be one heck of a nice guy. And he's got a cool, one-person show opening soon at the Museum of Design in Zurich. The opening for “Alfredo Häberli Design Development – SourroundThings” will be June 26th. http://www.museum-gestaltung.ch
I recently asked Alfredo how the exhibit came about. “To pay my studies and out of interest, I was lucky to start working with the Design Museum since 1988. First as an Exhibition Architect, later curating and editing books. Today I still continue working with the Museum and last year I was asked by Christian Brändle (Director) if I could imagine to have a personal exhibition in the main hall (1'000 m2). After being flattered for few days, I say yes. So here we are with a lot of work.”
Q/ You’re about to have your first solo show at the Zurich Design Museum. How did this show come about?
A/ To pay my studies and out of interest, I was lucky to start working with the Design Museum since 1988. First as an Exhibition Architect, later curating and editing books. Today I still continue working with the Museum and last year I was asked by Christian Brändle (Director) if I could imagine to have a personal exhibition in the main hall. After being flattered for few days, I say yes. So here we are with a lot of work.
Q/ What does the title of the show “SurroundThings” refer to?
A/ I found out during my studies, my interest for everything that is Around me in a room. The Surroundings were my everyday observations. In the title we wanted to talk about Around and Things (Objects), we put the words together to “SurroundThings”
Q/ How is the show organized, and what will be displayed?
A/ Together with Moritz Schmid, we have created an exhibition comprised of varied thematic areas and forms of depiction. Beyond the entrance, a laboratory conceived as a display storehouse stands at the centre of the hall. The large shelving unit filled with materials, models, prototypes and working studies for successful – but also unsuccessful – projects is an overview of a cheerful science that facilitates an approach to the studio’s work processes. Around 125 objects displayed in the three adjoining chalets come, for the most part, from the design collection of the Museum für Gestaltung Zurich. The exhibits are arranged according to various criteria and types such as, form, color, chairs or toys. While expressing a respect towards the history of design they also represent a source of inspiration that regularly serves as a basis for something new. Abstract “houses” are folded out, functioning like theatre sets that form the backdrop for 13 spots in which the unusual and witty combinations of objects presented offer a selection of the products carried out in the last 17 years, while at the same time revealing an often surprising perspective of the designer’s work. Each house has a theme such as “Conversation between Club Members” or “Take a View on Lines” that, within the context of the overall work, is important in illustrating the world of Alfredo Häberli Design Development. Two bell-like helmets contain over one hundred cartoons by Alfredo Häberli and provide an intimate insight into the world of ideas and the background to the projects. A further area with the recently created fabrics collection and a conceptual kitchen is understood as a view of the future. The exhibition makes no claim to be complete, but presents a work that is in a state of continuous development. The individual areas are accompanied by personal texts and speech bubbles that give visitors an insight into the thoughts and concepts of the studio.
Q/ The displays in the show are as interesting as the objects themselves – can you describe what you were trying to achieve by creating “houses” for these objects?
A/ In a Restaurant there 3 very important columns: 1) the food, 2) the service, 3) the interior architecture. In an exhibition there are also 3 important things: 1) the message, 2) the communication, 3) the sceneography all this three parts wants to reach the visitors. If there are few of them who understand it’s fine; of course you try to reach as many as possible. We wanted to have the architecture as a big piece of furniture, rather than show the products on a pedestal. It will be very sceneographic. But it is only possible, because we have 5 carpenters in-house.
Q/ What do you hope people will learn from your exhibition?
A/ My intention of the exhibition is not only to show the search for ideas, the backgrounds and challenges of the profession, but also to awaken interest and delight in design, and to encourage a respectful awareness of its themes.
We’ll have more thoughts on design, drawings, and what design does for the world from Alfredo next week.