Alfredo Häberli Design Development

This huge surface in a large hall to serve as space for me to exhibit my work, to be able to bring to life this space with my manner of thinking and seeing things as a designer is simply wonderful and a unique possibility. Today, I have this tremendous honour. But having been invited to Interieur 06 an honorary guest is more than a form of confirmation for me. It is an enormous task to be in this fascinating hall at a biennial with such an extraordinary reputation and such an exciting history, next to so many renowned architects and designers. 

The exhibition, The In-Betweens, is a form of providing insight into my work and into work carried out in Switzerland. It is a tongue in cheek insight and to me, it is all about paying attention to «The In-Between». As a designer, I am not interested in the form as such. Architecture, art, design or typography create forms and also what lies between these forms. For me, letters, as forms, are just as exciting as the apparently empty space between them. Just consider what you read between the lines, what is not expressed, expressed vaguely or remains unspoken. Intuition is an added value for me and a possibility or source of perception. Because the visible is useful - but what is essential is invisble to the eye.

The exhibition is characterized mainly by my work. A three-part installation dealing with the intermediate zone between concept and object and making reference to my work in different manners. There are three sculptures with sections, windows and empty spaces that deal with the visible and the invisible. This translates into reference to what lies outside and beyond as well as to what lies within; an outer and an inner view; the space and the space surrounding it; real and virtual space; outlook and insight; circumspection and inspection; the englobing inner and the inner idea; the emptiness and the mysterious empty space.

Given its massive physical presence, I reacted vividly to and with much respect for the great hall and its skylights. I consciously attempted to refer to my own position. There are three different sculptures that all have different characteristics. The largest is 26 metres long. Its cladding of finely lacquered plywood is interrupted by shopwindow-like openings and passages painted in white. The two smaller sculptures, both 11 metres long, were made out of stained and strongly lacquered plywood. One lies in the room and can be seen from above thanks to pool-like tubs. The other is standing upright and has large windows that, in part, a interrupted by horizontal volumes. The empty spaces, passages and breakthroughs offer views of the sculptures from completely new angles. Small, especially manufactured copper sheet light sources ensure a play of light and shadows.

The products are staged in a humourous, playful, funny, illustrativ, poetic and simply pretty manner - as if they had arisen from «la sonrisa de mis sueños» («the smile of my dreams»). Between them and at the center of things, stands the visitor and thus, in an open dialogue with the sculptures, the exhibits, the architecture and the great hall.

In addition to my own works, this exhibition is also home to a very personal choice of Swiss design - primarily designs from the collection of the Zurich Museum für Gestaltung. This smaller part of the exhibition is spread across three buildings, wooden chalets - their cladding reminescent of the balcony parapets of typical old Swiss farmhouses. Through holes in the cladding, the interior is unveiled, the exhibitions, the treasure. Simultaneously, the cladding covers, protects and ensures security. The three chalets take the exhibition «The In-Betweens» to another level and illustrates my inspiration and my thoughts as well as demonstrating my respect for our past - and present. Therefore, 25 film portraits of Swiss designers will also be shown here.
The individual parts of the spacious exhibition are connected and divided with one central large striped carpet. 100 tables and 300 chairs serve as connecting elements and offer room to relax and enjoy food and beverages.

Being able to work as a designer and earn my living as such is wonderful. Having been invited here to Belgium as an honorary guest is a dream come true. I hope that as many of you as possible will be able to share this dream, partake in it and then dedicate yourselves to your own dreams, with a smile on your lips.
The exhibition «The In-Betweens» is also a form of expressing my gratitude to you.

Acceptance address at the inauguration of the exhibition