In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing, together with the Consulate General in Shanghai and the Fosun Foundation, jointly organized the Shanghai stop of the touring exhibition Swiss Design Classics. The exhibition is a key part of the Swiss Embassy's public diplomacy campaign for 2024–2025 and is curated by Christian Herren.
The exhibition successfully opened on May 28 at the Fosun Foundation in Shanghai, in the presence of Consul General Sacha Bachmann, President of the Fosun Foundation Ms. Jenny Jinyuan Wang, and curator Christian Herren.
Consul General Sacha Bachmann delivered a warm welcome speech, expressing his gratitude to, the Swiss Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics, USM, Switzerland Tourism, the Fosun Foundation, Curator Christian Herren as well as local and international partners for their contributions in bringing this outstanding collection of Swiss design to Shanghai.
The Swiss Design Classics exhibition showcases, in chronological order, the 400-year history of Swiss design. It features 75 iconic furniture pieces that illustrate the evolution of Swiss craftsmanship, from humble beginnings to global recognition. From everyday objects to design inventions that have influenced the world, each piece on display tells its unique story and bridges history with society, aesthetics, and innovation, making the exhibition a platform for multiple voices that all share the core values inherent in Swiss culture: technical precision, high quality, thoughtful creativity, and long-lasting simplicity.
A key focus of the exhibition is Switzerland’s ongoing commitment to innovation—not only in design but also in fields such as engineering, healthcare, and sustainability. From groundbreaking inventions such as sparkling water and aluminum foil to pioneering approaches in research and development, Switzerland continues to drive progress across a range of industries.
Among the exhibits are 20 Swiss stools from four centuries, displayed in a circular arrangement on a white platform, the wide variety of stools on display perfectly reflects the evolution of Swiss design. These include an outstanding example: the 18th-century Engadine milking stool made of sturdy Swiss stone pine. This three-legged stool epitomizes rural life and was once an indispensable piece of furniture for local dairy farmers.
In the modern era, the sustainable focus of contemporary Swiss designers is exemplified by Herzog & de Meuron’s Corker No. 2, crafted entirely from cork, and Fabio Hendry’s Soft Spring Stool (Hot Wire Extensions), which takes an innovative approach to the reuse of waste materials. Together, they exemplify the contemporary Swiss design ethos, combining sustainability with aesthetic appeal and highlighting the ongoing evolution of design practices in Switzerland today.
The exhibition will run until June 29, 2025, and offers a window into the charm and essence of Swiss design, inviting visitors to discover the profound impact Switzerland has had and continues to shape on both functional objects and broader global narratives in design and innovation.
