The VIA Carte Blanche 2008 winner Jean-Louis Fréchin, with his ‘Interface(s)’ project
Our homes and living spaces are filled with top-performing technological objects that are both complex and intrusive. In time, new computerized products will be available on the ‘Net to replace the electronic appliances we use today: hifi, TV, phone… converging towards digital solutions. Anticipating this shift, the ‘Interface(s)’ project designed by Jean-Louis Fréchin and financed to prototype by VIA, proposes cross-overs in relations between new technologies and other legitimate everyday objects: furniture, objects, lighting. These new ‘modules/furnishings’ are embodied as interfaces. They propose an interactive environment in which the objects of everyday comfort cohabit with technological products, merging and interconnecting to form an ‘internet of objects’. Betting on innovation, this approach opens a new field of creation for designers of services and manufacturers of new devices and objects for habitat.


Five conversations in a café
When two friends get talking over a drink…
A designer who has already or will soon be working with VIA and a figure of his/her choice invite us to listen in to a conversation that has been going on intermittently for some years. A dialogue in cut-and- thrust between two kindred spirits involved in creation, the subject being design, and design looking for a subject.

Friday 21 November 2008
François Azambourg & Philippe Louguet

Saturday 22 November
Laurent Massaloux & Claire Brunet

Sunday 23 November
Sylvain Dubuisson & Michel Bouisson

Monday 24 November
Jean-Louis Frechin & Jacques-François Marchandise

Tuesday 25 November
Philippe Rahm & Catherine Geel

Each conversation was hosted by either Gérard Laizé, Chief executive of VIA or Michel Bouisson, VIA Head of creation assistance.

Café Cousu – 5.30 pm to 7 pm, 21 to 25 November / Free admission

With the support of