Between the end of June until mid-September, up to three parallel courses are held per week on topics related to product design, graphic design, architecture, landscape architecture, photography and applied arts. The goal of the workshops is to provide insights into the design process and related requirements such as rational thinking, manual skills and creativity. The seminars emphasise the practical aspects of design work and are accompanied by lectures and discussions. The workshop programme is specifically conceived as a supplement to university studies and work experience, but is also open to amateurs who are interested in the topic of design.
The courses are led by internationally prominent artists, designers and architects such as Humberto & Fernando Campana (Brazil), Toshiyuki Kita (Japan), Arik Levy (Israel), Shin & Tomoko Azumi (Great Britain), Ernst Gamperl (Germany), David Trubridge (New Zealand) and others. The selected themes address both concrete projects as well as questions that are open to interpretation. For example, the brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana, who have gained recognition in Europe through their work for Edra and Capellini during the past years, devote themselves to the topic of inflatable objects. Instead of working with expensive materials, they will use inner tubes from bicycles, automobiles and lorries, reshaping and combining them with other objects to create new items for everyday use. David Greenberg will construct a treehouse with the participants in his workshop. Although this building form is hardly regarded as serious architecture in our society, Greenberg has built a number of permanent tree dwellings in Hawaii, his home, and also in China. David Trubridge of New Zealand will invite his workshop participants to a celebratory dinner. First, however, they must design and construct all of the necessary objects, ranging from tableware to decorations and furnishings. The workshop led by Ernst Gamperl, who achieved international recognition for the exhibition of his unusual objects with Issey Miyake (Tokyo, 2000) and Michele de Lucchi (Milan, 2003), promises to be an experience of the senses. He will introduce participants to the art of turning wood on a lathe, with the double objectives of teaching manual skills and, more importantly, achieving artistic forms.
As in previous years, we have been able to win the partnership of renowned institutions and companies for our programme in 2004. For the second year, we will be working with Fabrica, a centre for the research and development of forms of communication. A special highlight is the workshop on digital photography, which is co-sponsored by Leica and the Vitra Design Museum in collaboration with the design office of Heine, Lenz, Zizka, who conceived the prize-winning advertising campaign 'Initiative of Hands' for Leica.
At the end of June and beginning of July, the Pratt Institute, one of the oldest and most venerable design academies in the United States, will offer a series of workshops at Boisbuchet. These courses are organised under the auspices of the Pratt Institute's "International Program" and are open not only to American graduate students, but also to a limited number of European students, who can take advantage of the opportunity to participate in a top-rated American educational programme at a very reasonable price. Students who successfully complete the programme receive credits from the Pratt Institute, which are now also recognised by many institutions of higher education in Europe as valid coursework.
The location of the Domaine de Boisbuchet is an idyllic country estate with buildings dating from the 19th century. The estate lies in the Charente-Limousine, a region in France that is ecologically intact and largely untouched by tourism. With its expansive, park-like surroundings, the Domaine offers not only optimal conditions for the workshops, but also a wide range of attractive leisure activities, including a private swimming lake covering 2.4 hectares (approx. 6 acres). Other options include canoe trips on the Vienne, one of the few rivers in France that has not been channelled, and excursions to nearby medieval towns or a 90-minute trip to the Atlantic coast.
Lodging for participants is provided in the Dependance, the previous administration building of the estate, which has since been transformed into a guesthouse. Simple rooms with an attractive ambience provide sleeping accommodations for several people. Single and double rooms are available at additional cost.
Fees for a one-week workshop, including food, lodging and materials total 625 for students and apprentices-in-training. The fee for other participants is 825 (all prices excluding transportation). Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
You can find detailed information on the workshops in the Internet at: www.boisbuchet.com, www.design-museum.de
Printed information is available at the following address upon request:
Vitra Design Museum
Workshops
Charles-Eames-Str. 1
79576 Weil am Rhein Germany
Tel +49-7621-702 35 74
Fax +49-7621-702 45 74
workshops@design-museum.de
Summer Workshops at Boisbuchet
Programme Calendar 2004
Date Workshop I Workshop II Workshop III
27 June 3 July Pratt Institute (USA) Pratt Institute (USA)
4 July 10 July Pratt Institute (USA) Pratt Institute (USA)
18 July 24 July Vogt & Weizenegger (D)
25 July 31 | July Fabrica ||
Gala Fernandez (I/E)
Paul + Barbara Haigh (USA)
Ricardo Salas (MEX)
1 Aug. 7 Aug. Ernst Gamperl (D)
Robert Kronenburg (GB)
Toshiyuki Kita (JAP)
8 Aug. 14 Aug. Graft (USA) Olgoj Chrochoj (CZ)
Jerszy Seymour (GB)
15 Aug. 21 Aug. Arik Levy (Israel/F)
Shin + Tomoko Azumi (Jap) Leica
Heine/Lenz/Zizka (D)
22 Aug. 28 Aug. Studio Campana (BR)
David Trubridge (NZ) Claesson Koivisto Rune (S)
29 Aug. 04 Sept. Eduard Bφhtlingk (NL)
Ayala S. Serfaty (Israel) Marc Velten (D)
5 Sept. 11 Sept. Ed Annink (NL) David Greenberg (Hawaii)
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