Grands Prix Design 2008 awarded
The Federal Office of Culture (FOC) has once again honored five designers for their work this year. The main criterion for awarding the prize is that the individuals have made a significant contribution to the reputation of Swiss design at national and international level.
This year's Grands Prix Design go to the fashion designer Albert Kriemler, the photographer Walter Pfeiffer, the exhibition designers Barbara Holzer and Tristan Kobler and the "multi-talented" Alain Kupper. The award winners, who must be over 40 years old, were selected by the Federal Design Commission chaired by Lorette Coen. Each award is endowed with 40,000 Swiss francs. Since 2007, the Confederation has been awarding the Grands Prix Design to designers who have made an effective and lasting contribution to the reputation of Swiss design.
Albert Kriemler was honored for his creativity and his constant perfection of the shape, cut and material of his collections. But also for helping to establish and position the Akris fashion company, which was founded by his grandmother in 1922 as an apron manufacturer.
Walter Pfeiffer has opened up new paths in the field of photography with his way of capturing the world in pictures, according to a press release. Walter Pfeiffer is a border crosser between so-called applied and free photography, and he has succeeded in combining these areas with ease.
Barbara Holzer and Tristan Kobler receive the Grand Prix Design of the Swiss Confederation for their international commitment in the field of exhibition design. Their outstanding achievement in this field is the consistent linking of exhibition content and design. Holzer Kobler understand how to create a holistic atmosphere that appeals directly to the public on an emotional and intuitive level.
Alain Kupperalso known as Rockmaster K., is a multi-talented artist: over the years, he has retained his integrity and the will to move in his very own cosmos and follow his very own path, the press release continues. He works as a graphic designer, musician, artist, gallery owner and photographer. The visual identity of Bilgerverlag and currently that of Theater Neumarkt in Zurich, for example, bear his signature.
Albert Kriemler was honored for his creativity and his constant perfection of the shape, cut and material of his collections. But also for helping to establish and position the Akris fashion company, which was founded by his grandmother in 1922 as an apron manufacturer.
Walter Pfeiffer has opened up new paths in the field of photography with his way of capturing the world in pictures, according to a press release. Walter Pfeiffer is a border crosser between so-called applied and free photography, and he has succeeded in combining these areas with ease.
Barbara Holzer and Tristan Kobler receive the Grand Prix Design of the Swiss Confederation for their international commitment in the field of exhibition design. Their outstanding achievement in this field is the consistent linking of exhibition content and design. Holzer Kobler understand how to create a holistic atmosphere that appeals directly to the public on an emotional and intuitive level.
Alain Kupperalso known as Rockmaster K., is a multi-talented artist: over the years, he has retained his integrity and the will to move in his very own cosmos and follow his very own path, the press release continues. He works as a graphic designer, musician, artist, gallery owner and photographer. The visual identity of Bilgerverlag and currently that of Theater Neumarkt in Zurich, for example, bear his signature.
