Promoting french savoir-faire worldwide
Saturday 18 January —
12:00
- 12:45
The Talks — Hall 7
Description
Participants
Hedwige GronierHead of cultural patronage programs - Fondation Bettencourt Schueller
Hervé LemoinePresident - Mobilier National
Steven LeprizéCabinetmaker, Inventor & Founder - ARCA
Yamina BenaïFounder & Editor-in-Chief - GESTE/S & Editor-in-Chief of the international journal The SAVOIR-FAIRE
Hedwige Gronier
Head of cultural patronage programs - Fondation Bettencourt Schueller
Hedwige Gronier is the Head of cultural patronage programs at the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller, where she plays a significant role in supporting the arts and crafts sector in France. One of her key responsibilities is overseeing the Prix Liliane Bettencourt pour l’Intelligence de la Main, an award that recognizes excellence in craftsmanship and fosters collaborations between artisans and designers, as well as overseeing a significant program of support for French institutions. She has established partnerships with Villa Kujoyama, Villa Albertine, and Villa Médicis, offering unique opportunities for artistic residencies for artisans. Her mission focuses on financial support, comprehensive strategic guidance, and networking to enhance the impact of the programs supported and accompanied.
Hervé Lemoine
President - Mobilier National
Conservateur général du patrimoine, he joined the Service historique de l'Armée de Terre (now the Service Historique de la Défense, Vincennes) in 1996, becoming deputy director of archives and libraries. In 2005, he was appointed deputy to the Director of Memory, Heritage and Archives at the Ministry of Defense, with responsibility for archive and library policy and overseeing the establishments under his responsibility. Between 1999 and 2006, he directed a research seminar on historical sources at the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris. In January 2009, he became Director of the Musée des Monuments Français and the Heritage Department of the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine (Paris, Trocadéro), and curated several exhibitions. Hervé Lemoine was Director of Archives de France at the French Ministry of Culture and Communication from 2010 to 2018. In this capacity, he oversaw the network of national and departmental public archive services. Since February 12, 2018, Hervé Lemoine has been the Director of the Mobilier National. He led the institutional transformation into an administrative public establishment, which became effective on January 1, 2022. He currently serves as its President.
Steven Leprizé
Cabinetmaker, Inventor & Founder - ARCA
The grandson of a carpenter and the son of an agricultural mechanic, Steven Leprizé grew up surrounded by craftsmanship. He spent his childhood in his father's workshop museum, at the sawmill, with his scientist-biologist great-uncle, and in his mother’s restaurant. His relationship with materials and engineering became second nature. Steven trained as a cabinetmaker, including at the École Boulle in Paris, graduating top of his class in 2008. He began his professional career as a cabinetmaker in Paris, where he also started to create new aesthetics and develop innovative materials. Inspired by movement, surrealist art, traditional craftsmanship, and scientific innovation, he sought to bring his unique vision to life. In 2009, Steven founded ARCA (Atelier de Recherche et Création en Ameublement), a workshop specializing in cabinetry and the development of innovative wood derivatives. These include flexible marquetry, thermoformable wood, and wood-metal hybrids developed in collaboration with scientists during research projects. Among his creations is Bois Larmé, featured in Hermès' KellyWood bag.
Yamina Benaï
Founder & Editor-in-Chief - GESTE/S & Editor-in-Chief of the international journal The SAVOIR-FAIRE
I founded and co-manage, with Emmanuel Rubin, GESTE/S: the first quarterly magazine (220 pages) dedicated to crafts, exceptional know-how, and contemporary creation. Issue #1 was released on March 26, 2022, and is available at newsstands, premium bookstores, museum shop bookstores, and in Fnac and Relay networks (stations and airports). Together with Emmanuel Rubin, I develop GESTE/S and its special editions within the Beaux Arts & Cie Group.