An exceptional range of guests, designers, architects, companies, events, installations and much more. Biennale Interieur celebrates its 25th edition with an explosive mix of creativity, enlivening Kortrijk Expo – and the entire city – until 23 October.
Silver Lining – Interiors is the theme of this year’s edition: an affectionate tribute to the fair’s special anniversary. If silver is the color that unites the different exhibition areas, the Interieur subtitle is the leitmotif of the numerous installations: a concept that aims to emphasize a return to the origins of the fair, when the focus was not so much on product-objects, but rather on interior atmospheres and the concept of a home environment.
The theme was developed by curators Kersten Geers and David Van Severen from the OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen architectural firm (based in Brussels).
The pair – who were responsible for the Kortrijk Xpo expansion project in 2009, which was not filly completed at the time – are now back to take their masterplan to the next level, with the aim of transforming the venue into a “city within a city”, with indoor and outdoor spaces devoted to design and architecture.
The heart of the fair is still the vast exhibition circuit, which boasts the biggest names in international contemporary design exhibiting side by side. The “Interieur” installations side event is also worthy of note, featuring the active participation of various architectural firms, invited to create personal interpretations of the theme, distributed throughout the halls: Swiss curator Moritz Küng presents his vision of the ‘Schöner Wohnen’ project; architect Philippe Rahm focuses on ‘meteorological design’; the Johnston MarkLee firm and designer Jonathan Olivares – both from Los Angeles – have joined forces to create an original combination of design and technology; the Swiss curators of STUDIOLO – Fredi Fischli & Niels Olsen have reinterpreted over ten years of work by architects Trix & Robert Haussmann, the result of which has been outlined in a publication and a film.
Kersten Geers and David Van Severen have added their contribution through the personal exhibition Generations (a collective of design icons from ’68 to the modern day) and with Solo House (a self-sufficient holiday homes project that the firm is undertaking in Spain), the theme of a presentation at Interieur.
And there is still more on offer: The Floor is Yours collective is making its debut – 2,000 sq m spread over halls 1 and 3 dedicated to young designers and pioneering design. Then there is the Shop of the Future, where attendees of the exhibition can directly sell their products.
With the Kortrijk Xpo after-hours initiative, the fair aims to enliven the scene even after closing time, presenting The Circus installation by creative agency King George, the Design Retail Summit and the Bar Basso.
Last but not least: the complementary programme of side events outside the exhibition space. The city has also been invaded by creativity and the fulcrum of this energy is the Texture Museum, next to North Bridge, which, in addition to hosting exhibitions on fabrics, is welcoming the Design Club, a promoter of daytime shows and night-time parties.
