CRU by Sebastian Bergne
New Design Around Wine
The Aram Gallery presents new work by established industrial designer Sebastian Bergne. Having worked in the past 18 years to briefs set by leading companies such as Authentics, Moulinex and Muji, Bergne has agreed to take on the challenge of designing and producing a range of speculative objects under his own name.
Self-initiated and self-produced work is the ultimate model for the designer as author. The designer not only sets the brief, but also approves the results and takes them through to production. It is the dream, the delight but also the dread of undisturbed control over the process and product. Then the design searches a user, and, following first impressions, desire and purchase, the design is finally challenged with fulfilling its promise on neutral ground.
Like a growing number of designers, Bergne’s new practice fulfils a desire to produce under ones own name. This self-initiated working style is a traditionally attractive pursuit for younger designers who often lack much needed industrial contacts.
Increasingly, established names are also creating independent brands which are sometimes picked up by well-known companies.
Having recently returned to London after a seven year spell in Bologna, CRU* signals a new period in Bergne’s practice. The works exhibited are therefore both a reflection on his newfound design independence, and a response to an invigorated practice in London.
The pieces in CRU have been inspired by the way wine culture is intertwined in day to day life for most people in Italy. It includes concepts of transporting, storing, serving and enjoying new ways of consuming wine. Although some items are ready for production and available to purchase, the exhibition is primarily a series of experiments.
The Aram Gallery is pleased to continue to provide a platform for initiating and launching new experimental work and thanks the Arts Council for supporting these special projects.
*CRU is a wine term that means ‘growth’. Sometimes used as a means of classifying quality wines. In French CRU also means: raw, rough, unfinished and believed.
Curator Daniel Charny
Assistant Curator Ellie Parke
Graphic design Jeremy Hofmeister-Mac Lynn
Director Zeev Aram
Photography Helen Mellor
The Aram Gallery has been awarded Grants for the Arts funding from the Arts Council
