Useful, beautiful and sometimes both in Lille, the world capital of design

The 10 objects that we remember from Lille, the capital of design -

Like all cultural events, Lille Métropole 2020 world capital of design has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

The opening to the public of the many exhibitions could only take place at the beginning of September, forcing the organizers to intensify the program in order to be able to present to visitors most of what was produced for the occasion.

visited three exhibitions whose themes have a particular local resonance.

Before approaching the first exhibition, we must get rid of the received idea which consists in believing that the design is limited to the manufacture of convoluted chairs more pleasing to the eye than to the buttocks.

If we stick to the dictionary definition, we will not be surprised, even disappointed: “Design, a discipline aimed at harmonizing the human environment, from the design of everyday objects to town planning.

Suddenly, when you visit the exhibition

, in Saint-Sauveur, you are not surprised to see things of questionable aesthetics but of certain usefulness.

Useful, sustainable and social

Like the

, by Bas Timmer.

These are warm, waterproof suits made from recycled materials and intended for the homeless.

It is useful, sustainable and social.

Besides the textile part, others are devoted to the reuse of wood, metal or even rubble or electronic waste.

On this last point, we see for example the work of Peter Salera who uses the technique of knitting to weave a carpet with old computer cables.

In another part of Saint-Sauveur, the exhibition

 highlights initiatives aimed at “thinking and living the world differently”.

The

project

 of the Roubaix association Zerm for example.

It is a kind of canopy bed, the design of which allows you to sleep warm in places without insulation.

There is also the solar street light from Sunna Design.

In addition to public lighting, it can be connected to, for example, recharge a mobile phone.

Its creator imagines it “revolutionizing the issue of access to electricity in Africa”.

Less far away, it would perhaps be useful to the many migrants present in Calaisis.

Wheeled boat and microalgae

To talk about mobility, you have to go to the School of Arts and Crafts.

The star of the exhibition is the semi-rigid dinghy equipped with a sort of landing gear.

The two retractable wheels allow the boat to be transported without the need to load it on a trailer.

We also see big brands presenting their new electric scooters as well.

Our design dossier

More interesting, there is this prototype of street furniture, in this case a bench, which uses the photosynthesis of microalgae to purify the ambient air.

An invention that would be very useful in the Lille metropolis, victim of recurring air pollution episodes as is the case on Wednesday.

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