Philippe Starck: ACTION AND TRUTH

The objects he creates are “good” before they are beautiful. A staunch defender of democratic design, a tireless and brilliant world citizen, Philippe Starck talks about a quarter century of creations on the occasion of Intramuros’ 25th anniversary. From words to woes, defying categorization, this inventor entertained by his own toys fans the flames, stretching beyond body and thoughts. And because he “likes to open doors in the human brain”, he also makes way for action and truth.

Patrick Bouchain: A Producer of Projects

A writer, a publisher, an activist, a professor, an event organizer, a building designer, an exhibition curator, a ministerial adviser, a surveyor of the civil code, the president of various associations, the co-director of the “Construire” agency with Loïc Julienne, a non architect master builder representing French architecture at the 2006 Venice Biennale, and the laureate of the 2009 Prix d’Architecture Durable (Sustainable Architecture Award), Patrick Bouchain is establishing new ways of entrepreneuring and engaging.

Jean-Louis Fréchin, Objects first

First and foremost an architect, next a hyperactive interactive designer, Jean-Louis Fréchin has positioned himself at the forefront of the digital revolution. Now he is primed and ready to shoot.

Etienne Mineur, Back to the tangible

With “Editions Volumiques” (Volume Editions), a publishing house of experimental books, an interactive designers is reinventing the format by combining the page and the pixel. What happens when the volatile sets up home with the physical.

Stéphane Bureaux, Anti-Hunger Actions

He confesses to everything and its polar opposite, refutes the slightest attempt at a label, and is all-too-often catalogued as a magician of taste or a culinary designer. Stéphane Bureaux nonetheless owns up to what he does; he is unclassifiable, radically versatile, ready and willing to squander time if it means gaining experience, a man obsessed with the urgency of a return to simplicity.

Mama & Co 

They are the proud founders of Mama Shelter, a revolutionary and unique hotel, which is poised to expand. Before going to Bordeaux, Istanbul, Marseille, and Strasbourg, Serge Trigano and Cyril Aouizerate are talking again about an enterprise that has become a small company. Here is a design lexicon of the urban hospitality industry.

Jean-Pierre Simon: Embracing Cultural Changes

The recent reshuffling of the French Ministry of Culture has brought about a change in organizational structure and personalities. The Commission for Visual Arts no longer exists, Jean-Pierre Simon now heads the Direction Générale de la Création Artistique (National Office of the Arts) with oversight responsibility of the Service des Arts Plastiques (Department of Visual Arts). Here is a look at what he wants to do.

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