Exhibition on the revival of cycling in Europe, at the Cité du Design of Saint-Etienne
Bicyclette(s) - Faire des vélos
Partner
La Cité du design
Intervention
Commissariat, Scenography, Graphic design, Video design
Location
Saint-Étienne
Year
2023
Born in Europe, the first machine to enable humans to get around more quickly, the velocipede is back in fashion. Conceived by NoDesign, the "Bicyclette(s) - Faire des vélos" exhibition brings together over 1,000m2 of more than 70 contemporary machines emblematic of the revival of the cycle industry in Europe. Behind this revival, before its uses, there are companies, workshops, engineers, designers and entrepreneurs whose proposals have enabled the emergence of the bicycle as a culture by proposing appropriate machines. It's this new culture and the laboratory for the invention of these new spads, biclous, bécanes, vélos, that we wanted to highlight in Saint-Etienne, a highly symbolic city, once the world capital of cycling.
A broad panorama of European productions
The exhibition features around 70 bicycles and video portraits of their creators, designers and manufacturers, divided into 5 themes. “Getting around”: the bicycle as a mobility and work tool, democratized by the emergence of the electric-assist bicycle. “Surpassing yourself”: the sport and performance bike. “Travel”: the revival of cycle tourism. “Experiment”: surprising, experimental and exceptional bikes. “Manufacture” (cross-cutting theme): manufacturing processes, materials, equipment manufacturers, etc., grouped together in a workshop for demonstrating and experimenting with cycle industry components and manufacturing methods.
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Poste de pilotage - vue en plongée
Plateau
Batspad: a manufacturing laboratory
Designed and imagined for the occasion by NoDesign, Batspad / En Route is a lightly electrified high-end bike that answers the question of “making bikes” in Europe today. The bike's design, details and finish are elegant, and it takes responsibility for the location and conditions of its production. This manufacturing laboratory enabled us to assess the difficulties and opportunities of bicycle manufacturing in France and Europe, as well as the challenges of product proposals and offerings.
A tribute to the men and women behind the revival
In Europe, there are companies, workshops, engineers, designers and entrepreneurs who have made it possible for the bicycle to flourish by proposing appropriate machines. This exhibition, by highlighting the men and women who make these objects of desire, reminds us that without manufacturing, without creation, without innovation, there are no possible uses.
