In 2020 Maison&Objet celebrates 25 years of activity, looking to the future and inking new international collaboration agreements. The future to explore is that of generations Y and Z, the youngest consumers, and the theme of inspiration for the next two appointments will be (Re)Generation, interpreted through different approaches and virtuous, sustainable lifestyles. The January edition will set out to decipher the expectations and dreams of the “engaged generation” that has come up on a planet in crisis on many fronts, from economics to the environment, identity to migration. The September fair focuses on the desires of the so-called ‘augmented’ generation, which has grown up on the Internet and social media. The international consulting firm on themes of innovation and style NellyRodi has acted as a guide to recognize and understand the key elements of ‘regenerant’ mutations we will be seeing over the next 25 years. The new behavioral trends are the theme of the installation in XL format created by Ramy Fischler, while a selection of innovative products will be presented in the areas of What’s New curated by Elizabeth Leriche, François Bernard and François Delclaux.
A special exhibit space will launch the first Design Award China created in a collaboration between Maison&Objet and Chaoshang Group, together with Aube Events, with the economic support of Beijing’s Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), the China Building Decoration Association (CBDA) and the Shenzhen International Art Design Center (IADC). The participants in the three categories of product design, interior design and rising talents will be selected in the 20 leading Chinese cities, by a jury of 11 experts, and the finalists will be announced at the September 2020 edition of the fair. The three-year agreement sets out to promote the best Chinese design and to trigger synergies and connections between designers and producers.
Connections and initiatives have also been announced for 2020 involving Maison&Objet, NYCxDESIGN, in New York from 12 to 20 May, and Paris Design Week in September, in terms of shared objectives of audience and content, including traveling exhibitions or installations, special VIP programs, and the launch of the online Material Bank platform for designers. The new initiatives join the already established events, such as the Rising Talent Award devoted this year to France with the designers Adrien Garcia, Julie Richoz, Laureline Galliot, Mathieu Peyroulet Ghilini, Natacha & Sacha, and the important Designer of the Year award, assigned to Michael Anastassiades, who launched his successful lighting brand in 2007 at Maison&Objet.
