Evolution of Archaic / The Reverse Countdown of Design
Design, Craft, Art, Fashion, Vintage

Paris Design Week 2024
September 5–14

Exploring sources, primary forms, and elementary design components are the tasks set by the “Evolution of Archaic,” Ukraine’s project at Paris Design Week 2024. While civilization constantly looks forward, this exhibition reminds us of the importance of returning to the origins and witnessing the reverse countdown of design.

Circles, squares, triangles, crosses, and spirals—this is where the powerful connection between all human cultures lies. These elements of an ancient universal language of forms require continuous exploration and expression in new, reinterpreted formats. “Evolution of Archaic” has gathered design objects that resulted from an essential search for something new in the simple and primal.

Modern creators’ return to primal forms and materials—clay, wood, metal, wool, glass, stone—is a journey through time and imagination. Crossing the boundaries of epochs and cultures, these objects remind us of our shared roots and common human heritage. It is a kind of reverse countdown to the origins, an appeal to archaic foundations that captivate with their perfection and clarity.

In the works, you can visually trace the evolution of design, feel the primal power of simplicity when functionality began to take on aesthetic significance. Through the example of young Ukrainian design and craft, which is drawn to and inspired by its cultural code, we demonstrate how the archaic becomes a catalyst for evolution and innovation, a source of inspiration, and the embodiment of new and unique material forms.

Exhibition Opening: September 6 at 19:00

Address:
Centre culturel de l’ambassade d’Ukraine
22 Avenue de Messine, 75008, Paris

Concept Author: Sana Moreau
Curators: Sana Moreau, Anastasia Biletska

Participants:
Litkovska / objects from the REBIRTH collection
Andriy and Olesya Voznytski / Vase “Motanka”
Andriy Voznytski / Panel “GONTA”
Studio Zhorna Archaic Ukraine / objects made of recycled paper, clay, and aromatic herbs
Tasha Oro / upcycling objects
Danuta Kril / objects made of black-smoked ceramics
Yulia Tyshchenko / panels made of hemp and wool threads and black-smoked ceramics
GARDI / “Konyk” dresser
Hopak Studio / coffee table made of ancient oak and stone
Diana Bilichenko / bio art objects made of wheat roots
Mariya Pulyaeva / pouf made of wool and maple
Saga Pottery Studio / vases from the “Wild Ceramics” collection
Design Laboratory at UFEG / interior art objects
Galerie Sana Moreau / vintage majolica objects, 1960-70s, Ukraine

Organizers: Embassy of Ukraine in France, Maino Design

Partners: ASSOCIATION “LES AMIS DE LA CULTURE UKRAINIENNE EN FRANCE,” Galerie Sana Moreau, Design4Ukraine, Kyiv Design Week

Campaign Credits:
Photo/stylist: @4abik
MUAH: @tymotynasty