Grands Prix Design 2009 awarded
Through the Grands Prix Design, the Federal Office of Culture annually honors individuals and companies that contribute to Swiss design at the national and international levels. Each award is accompanied by a cash prize of 40,000 francs.
The winners were selected by the Federal Design Commission chaired by Patrick Reymond. Each award is endowed with CHF 40,000. The award ceremony will take place in Lausanne on October 20, 2009. The event will be held in conjunction with the opening of the Federal Design Awards 2009 exhibition at the mudac (Musée de design et d'arts appliqués contemporains), Lausanne.
The Award Winners
The 85-year-old photographer, director and cameraman Robert Frank is being honored for his life's work. According to the Federal Office of Culture, hardly anyone has had such a lasting influence on photography in the second half of the 20th century to this day. Frank emigrated to New York in 1947 and traveled to South America, Europe and the USA until the mid-1950s, including on assignment for magazines such as Life and Vogue. His most important documentary "Les Américains" was published in 1958.
Christoph Hefti, textile designer, musician and artist, is being honored for his creativity and his crossovers between design, art and music. Born in Lausanne, he currently lives in Antwerp and Brussels. He has been working as a creative assistant and print designer for Dries van Noten in Antwerp since 1997.
The career of Ursula Rodeldesigner for lifestyle culture, started out as a fashion designer in the 1970s. Today she lives and works in Zurich's Kreis 4 district. Ursula Rodel is being honored for her comprehensive work and thinking, which goes far beyond the field of fashion design and beyond the borders of Switzerland, writes the Federal Office.
The company Thut furniture was founded 80 years ago in Möriken and is now run by the third generation. The successful family business has been recognized for its innovative entrepreneurial spirit and incomparable design.
