Liege’s Reciprocity Biennale Explores the Relationship Between Craft and Industry

A good balance between craft and industry is fundamental to sustainable design. In order to reevaluate the reciprocity between these two variables, "design-thinker" <a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://www.gabriele-pezzini.com/" target="_blank">Gabriele Pezzini</a> curated <em>Craft &amp; Industry</em> at <a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://www.designliege.be" target="_blank">Liege's Reciprocity Design Biennale</a> (Belgium), an exhibit which surveys the human attitude towards "producing stuff". Filled with classic, big-name brands including Alessi, Apple, Dyson, <a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://inhabitat.com/piet-hein-eeks-restaurant-in-eindhoven-is-filled-with-beautiful-upcycled-designs/" target="_blank">Piet Heink Eek</a>, Kartell, Muji, Tom Dixon, Vitra and more, this was a study in sustainability not to be missed.

<a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://www.tomdixon.net/products/beat-light-fat" target="_blank">Tom Dixon</a>'s "Beat Light Fat" lampes are inspired by traditional brass cooking pots. The pieces have been batted into shape by hand by northern Indian craftsmen, and are 30% industry and 70% craft.

<a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://www.moormann.de/en/infos/insights/designer/matthias-ferwagner/" target="_blank">Matthias Ferwagner'</a>s "Minimato" is a no-glue, no-screws system that is easy to produce. Together with an untreated walnut top , the table is 37% industry and 63% craft work.

"Kelvin" by <a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://www.antoniocitterioandpartners.it/EN/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Antonio Citterio</a> &amp; T. Nguyen (produced by Flos) is a recyclable aluminum and steel lamp with shining LEDs. It is made using 87% industry and 13% craft.

The "Oak Chair" by Dutch creative <a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://www.pietheineek.nl/nl" target="_blank">Piet Hein Eek</a> is made from pieces of <a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://inhabitat.com/piet-hein-eeks-restaurant-in-eindhoven-is-filled-with-beautiful-upcycled-designs/" target="_blank">recycled wood</a>. What results is a sustainable seat that is 27% industry and 73% craft.

The classic <a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://www.dyson.co.uk/fans/fansandheaters/air-multiplier-technology.aspx" target="_blank">"Dyson Air Multiplier"</a> table fan combines 92% of industrial and 8% of craft to create an innovative, energy-efficient air refresher.

Japanese designer <a title="Liege's Reciprocity Biennale Makes Us Re-Think The Craft &amp; Industry Equilibrium in Products " href="http://www.ricordi-sfera.com/en/works/products/sferaproducts/" target="_blank">Shigeo Mashiro</a> presented his biodegradable hand-made "Bud", a series of stackable bowls made from milled magnolia. The set measures the use of 32% industry and 68% craft.

A lovely exhibition divided in three -- one part filled with these grand examples, another part with post-war Japanese aluminum objects from a private collection and a fabrication process film -- the Craft &amp; Industry exhibition inspires everyone to re-think design. The showroom will be open until the 28th of October -- check it out if you are in Liege.