A lack of direction, a mad rush to include content devoid of meaning, without understanding, without a critical filter. Putting together a coherent overall project takes time, which is news to no one. Frequently, the fast pace at which we live makes us forget our initial intentions and wipe out the orientation we had established. And this enterprise – be it social, human or professional in nature – can, as a result, fall apart even implode, because of a lack of detachment.
What form should we give to a graphic, publishing, artistic or cultural project? What importance should be given to this or that element? Why is it justifiable to use one choice rather than another? How might we explain its relationship to the parameters that condition it? There are many possible ways to lead a project forward in a meaningful direction. Chance sometimes makes things work out well, but that’s a rare occurrence. The simplicity and speed with which we gain access to information, and to content generally, have increased exponentially with the Internet. And when a piece of information, a work or a subject retain our attention in this excess of proposals, what is it that actually captures us and makes us question ourselves or our certainties? It is the why, how and with what that this item is made. The requirement of the reader, listener or visitor today is precisely that. It is in this context that pauses are recreated, that the time given to the understanding of a creative process increases, and that the choices are appreciated and justified. Some bearings are sketched out and it becomes essential to dissect the links between each element and establish new ones. The participation of the individual is exponential. The brains are ticking along. Phew. Travelling from one festival to another, we aimed to discover fresh research, projects and visual works: the International Poster and Graphic Design Festival, Une Saison graphique (A graphic season) at Le Havre, and the Festival international de mode et de photographie (International Festival of Fashion and Photography) at Villa Noailles. It has been a pleasure to note that high-quality initiatives, installations and exhibitions are being created that are coherent and meaningful in terms of graphic design. We had no doubt about this beforehand but we were reassured nevertheless. The changing of the guard of graphic design is assured.
Caroline Bouige and Isabelle Moisy