dach&zephir, simé grenn

This designer duo’s creative approach is based on the Whole-World concept which follows the thinking of Martinique-born poet and philosopher Édouard Glissant. For them, our modern world must tell its story and be shared in accordance with the principles of the interpenetration of cultures, in a dynamic of fair exchange.

The exhibition gives an insight into the thoughts and questions that have driven them ever since their 2015 Élòj kréyòl research project focused on the stories of the West Indies, for which they wanted to offer a contemporary, poetic reading which can be passed on to future generations. Willingly accepting the “participation of the Other” in the creative process, the projects they undertake give form to the words and stories of creole communities, whose voices are rarely heard and recognised. They are thus celebrating the urgent and necessary diversity of the World.

Here, French design in the era of creolisation suggests the creation of a rich, shared narrative of knowledge and heritages. A design based on connections that produces more connections, embracing the diversity of cultural and creative histories that make up a France that is not limited to what we call the “Hexagon”, the mainland. The scenography is centred on a sort of imaginary house. It alternates interior and exterior points of view, where objects, items of furniture, texts, images, collages and videos depict and relate scenes from life. The corrugated sheet that defines the spaces evokes the traditional houses of the West Indies.

It is at the point where our differences and our visions come together that we founded the dach&zephir studio. But, above all, there is a common desire to build our own definition of what the profession is. We have a special affection for crafts and creative practices that do not enjoy the same recognition. The projects that we undertake deal with subjects where we think there is a need to bear witness. They reflect a practice and an approach that can only be conceived of with the presence of others.

dach&zephir, a free creative space and a quest to discover what makes history and identity

Florian Dach and Dimitri Zephir met at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs de Paris in 2012, when they were both still students on the object design course. They quickly came together to work on a joint project: La figure de l’Autre. This creative and research project questioned the influence of immigrant cultures in the creation of the French identity. It was dach&zephir’s final degree project, which they passed in 2016 with distinction. They both work with craftspeople, factories and industrial manufacturers on creating a collection of objects celebrating a culturally diverse art of living. They see the duo they form as a free creative space. In it they pool their own lived experiences — their roots are in Paris and Guadeloupe — in a quest to discover what makes history and identity. Cultural heritages are addressed as a rich vein of raw material for design, capable of producing a language of forms, materials and uses that underlies artefacts. Engaged in a constant exploration of new territories, they define themselves as “researcher-authors”.

2016: Graduation from the École Nationale des Arts
Décoratifs de Paris (object design section) with distinction for their project La figure de l’Autre.

2017: Award winners in the national support programme for emerging artists “Création en cours” organised by Les Ateliers Médicis, with the backing of the French Ministry of Culture and in partnership with the French Ministry of Education and Youth, for the Élòj kréyòl x NATK (Nasyon ATi Kréyòl) project conducted with Michèle Gisquet primary school in Vauclin in Martinique.

2020: Awarded the FME label by the Foundation for the Remembrance of Slavery for the scope of the Élòj kréyòl research project – “Special Prize” at the 35th International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories in Hyères (in the fashion accessories category) for their Bijoux de tête (head jewellery) collection produced in collaboration with textile designer Antonin Mongin.

2021: Exhibition of the Caribbean beauties series at the 65^th Salon de Montrouge art fair (curated by Work Method) – Winners of the “Mondes nouveaux” (New Worlds) call for expressions of interest (CEI) launched by French the Ministry of Culture with their Voix plurielles, voies créoles project.

2023: Winners of the “Créer un vase” call for proposals for a public commission by the Centre National des Arts Plastiques (CNAP) with the Vases Péyi collection.

Communiqué de presseDesigner duo dach&zephir sow creole seeds in Saint-Étienne

A scenography inspired by West Indian houses

The scenography of the simé grenn exhibition serves the narrative. The immersion envelops and transports visitors to allow them to live a sensitive experience, and hear forgotten or erased voices. Histories are what give birth to objects. Corrugated metal defines spaces in reference to traditional houses in the West Indies. The body of carefully chosen projects gives substance to the story. Pieces of furniture, works, and image-collages coexist, complement each other, reveal each other as a source of reflection for the public. They recount a practice made of multiple dialogues. Behind the beauty of this coherent whole, dach&zephir’s projects are attempts to revitalise production sectors that have been abandoned or sometimes crushed by the attractive competition of globalisation. They are also attempts to develop a virtuous economic and production model through the measured use of natural fibres in the design of objects ; to integrate notions of resilience, resistance and creative audacity into the design,
and to think about what is passed onto future generations, beyond objects.

The Fèy bannann vase, a CNAP commission, premieres in Saint-Étienne

The exhibition will be the first chance to see one of the vases in the Vases Péyi collection by dach&zephir, produced for a public commission by the Centre National des Arts Plastiques (CNAP) entitled “Créer un vase”. The dach&zephir duo were among the ten winners listed after a call for proposals launched by the CNAP in 2023, whose aim was to recognise and encourage the vitality of contemporary creation in the fields of design, the decorative arts and the art and craft trades. The vases created will go into the CNAP’s collections and may be reproduced for sale. The Fèy bannann vase will be revealed to the public for the first time at the simé grenn exhibition at the Cité du design.

Media Partners

A France Design Week Event