Nemo, Designers - Chapter 1 : Drawings
Signé is delighted to present Nemo, Designers, a two-part exhibition series showcasing the work of the French design duo.
Comprising François Scali and Alain Domingo, active since 1982, Nemo played a significant role in the design scene of that decade. Spanning furniture, objects, interior architecture, artistic direction, and graphic design, the duo navigated this era of creative fervor as true adventurers, exploring uncharted territories while contributing to the definition of the designer's role.
Focused on the medium of paper, this first chapter will unveil their extensive use of drawing. By uniquely showcasing a selection of sketches, manufacturing plans, and drafts, Signé aims to allow visitors to grasp the dynamic thinking of the duo by exploring their various modes of representation.
The exhibition Nemo, Designers, through works on paper accompanied by prototypes and unique pieces, will provide insight into the diverse realms explored by the duo, the crystallization processes inherent in the designer's practice, all while sharing the energy of the eighties.
The second chapter, scheduled for March 2025, will focus on bringing to life a series of furniture pieces extracted from archival drawings. These entirely original pieces will be produced in very limited quantities.
About NEMO :
Alain Domingo and François Scali, both graduates of the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris, founded the NEMO group in 1982. Their goal was to transcend the boundaries between design and art by revisiting post-war decorative arts conventions to create their own interpretation. Pioneers of the avant-garde global design movement in 1980s France, they undertook a diverse range of creations, spanning furniture, lamps, jewelry, carpets, stationery, packaging, as well as projects in scenography and interior architecture.
In addition to their creative endeavors, they held the position of artistic directors for the Centre Pompidou boutique, actively participating in major French design exhibitions and events of that era. Their approach was characterized by the use of primary colors, simple lines, and artisanal materials. While influenced by minimalism, it was never an end in itself; rather, their production was associated with comfort and intellectual inquiry, each creation representing a condensed reflection on ergonomics with minimal means.
The NEMO adventure concluded with the creation of the Génitron, a time measurement instrument designed to count down the seconds remaining until January 1, 2000. The Génitron was showcased on the parvis of the Centre Pompidou until 1997.
Works by Alain Domingo and François Scali are now part of the collections of numerous prestigious museums and institutions such as the Centre Pompidou, CNAP (National Center for Visual Arts), and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Their contributions have been recognized with various awards, including those from the Mobilier National in 1983, the French Ministry of Culture, and the Museum of Science and Industry in La Villette.