The Fondation Hermès is dedicating the fourth edition of its Academy of Expertise to the theme of textiles. Where do natural and artificial fibres come from? What are the historical, symbolic and cultural dimensions of these materials, and how does understanding them help us to think about the present and future of know-how? From January to June, seven mornings of lectures, with free access upon prior registration, are organized in several Parisian venues.
En 2019, the Academy of Crafts and Trades will focus on a new theme as dense as it is exciting: textiles. The fourth edition of the Foundation's programme dedicated to the exploration of craft skills also marks a turning point, with the expansion of its actions. These actions, the core of which remains the transmission of knowledge about a material, its exploration and application in a forward-looking perspective, take greater account of major economic and societal issues.
Dedicated to know-how and creativity, the Academy of Crafts and Trades brings together craftsmen, designers and engineers who explore together, for nearly eleven months, paths of innovation in areas of craft skills. The participants of this Academy thus have the opportunity to enrich their knowledge by attending a series of conferences and master classes led by experts, then their skills by participating in a workshop, a veritable laboratory of new practices.
After studying wood in 2014, land in 2015, and the metal in 2017this 4th edition devoted to textiles is placed under the pedagogical direction of Matali Crasset. Together, they lead a prospective and experimental reflection on a subject defined within this theme of textiles; a theme that raises social and environmental issues essential for the present of our world as well as for its future.
Since 2014, the Académie des Savoirs has been dedicated to combining transmission with exploration, foresight with practical application. For this fourth edition, an eleven-month work schedule, from January to November 2019, is being implemented for the twenty-three professionals whose applications have been accepted. Textile craftsmen, engineers specialising in this sector and designers, all of them wish to enrich their training and skills in this field.
Addressing textiles and the creative and artisanal gestures linked to them amounts to embracing an essential part of the history of humanity.
Free access to Academy mornings and events upon registration and within the limit of available places: academie[at]hermes.com
