MARC BERTHIER

presents a portrait by Nora Jaccaud
Le design de la légèreté.

"Lightness is for me a form of elegance and it is one of my most important design choices that goes far beyond searching for weightlessness. Lightness to me is freedom, mobility, modernity, ecology, economy and technology.

Empty spaces are as important as full ones. When I draw something I look at it backwards and forwards to see if the voids are beautiful, if it's harmonious and if it fits. It's a way of controlling, of correcting but I do it instinctively. It comes, it's harmony and that's it.

I would say that design is to industry what retoric is to eloquence. "

- Marc Berthier

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ABOUT

Marc Berthier’s career spans over 55 years in the international design industry. He played a central role in transforming France’s design culture and has guided generations of designers through his teaching at ENSCI-Les Ateliers (1985-2000) and life long dedication to mentorship. Marc Berthier’s full career includes collaborations with international companies such as Magis, Roche Bobois, Hermès, DF2000, Knoll, Lexon, Thonet, Hermes, Rowenta, TOTO, Ligne Roset and Cinna.

Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, Marc Berthier received France's Grand Prix National de la Ministre de la Culture in 1986. His designs can be found in numerous museum collections including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Centre George Pompidou, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Paris, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian design museum, and the ADAM Plasticarium in Brussels.

Marc Berthier founded and directed Archi Plan Studio and Design Plan Studio from 1980 to 1990, followed by eliumstudio from 2000 to 2020. Marc continues to work from his Paris studio accompanied by his design associate Mikaela Kvan.

Marc Berthier photographed by Mathieu Eymeoud (2021)

Design Awards + Honors

2000 USA | New York Design Award
1998    GERMANY | Form Design Awards
1997    GERMANY | Form Design Awards
1995    GERMANY | Form Design Awards
1991 GERMANY | Design Plus
1986 FRANCE | Grand Prix National de la Création Industrielle
Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
1970 FRANCE | Prix René Gabriel

Selected Publications

2015 De la légèreté : Vers une civilisation du léger, Gilles Lipovetsky, Editions Grasset et Fasquelle
2012 Century of the Child: Growing by Design 1900-2000, Juliet Kinchin + Aidan O’Connor, MOMA
2011 Roche Bobois : 50 ans de design, Philippe Trétiack, Editions du Chêne
2010 Que sont mes amis devenus, Gilles de Bure, NORMA/EnsAD
2010 Mobi Boom: l’exposition du desing en France 1945-1975, Dominique Forest, Les Arts Décoratifs
2010 Tools for Living: A Sourcebook of Iconic Designs for the Home by Charlotte + Peter Fiell, Feill Publishing
2008 Prisunic et le design, Anne Bony, Alternatives
2007 Design Now!, Charlotte + Peter Fiell, Taschen
2006 Antiques of the Future, Lisa S. Roberts, Stewart, Tabori + Chang
2005 1000 Lights: 1960 to present, Charlotte + Peter Fiell, Taschen
2004 Meubles et décors des années 60, Anne Bony, Editions du Regard
2003 Objets of Design, Paola Antonelli, The Museum of Modern Art
1990 Les Assises du Sciécle, François Baudot, Editions Du May

Selected Exhibitions

Forthcoming
2021 PARIS | Musée des Arts Décoratifs, PRISUNIC / MONOPRIX, “le beau pour tous”

2020 LILLE | Le Tripostale, Designer(s) du Design
2019 BRUXELLES | Kanal – Centre Pompidou, Bureaux Fantômes
2015 NEW YORK | Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Making Music Modern – Design for Ear and Eye
2013 SAINT-ETIENNE | Biennale Internationale de Design, Traits d'union - Objets d'empathie
2012 NEW YORK | Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Century of the Child: Gowing by design 1900-2000
2010 PARIS | Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Mobi Boom : l’exposition du design en France, 1945-1975

2008 PARIS | Galerie Haute Définition, Design et Héritage
2008 PARIS | Galerie du VIA (Valorisation des Industries de l'ameublement), Prisunic et le design
2004 BEIJING | l’Année de la France en Chine, Design d'en France
2004 NEW YORK | Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Architecture and Design: Inaugural Installation

1991 MILAN | Triennal Compasso d’Oro
1991 PARIS | VIA, Personal Retrospective
1990 PARIS | Musée de la Poste
1990 PARIS | Grand Palais

1989 PARIS | C.C.I.Centre Georges Pompidou, Trois Décennies de Design
1989 TOKYO | Seibu
1987 PARIS | Grand Palais
1986 ROME | Villa Médicis
1985 PARIS | Musée National des Monuments Français,Art et Industrie
1985 PARIS | C.C.I. Centre georges Pompidou
1985 PARIS |Musée des Arts Décoratifs
1984 AMSTERDAM | Stedevjk Museum
1982 CHICAGO | Museum of Contemporary Art

1978 PARIS | C.C.I. Centre georges Pompidou1970 PARIS | Musée des Arts Décoratifs
1977 PARIS | C.C.I.Centre Georges Pompidou, Inaugurale exhibition
1976 ASPEN | International Design Council
1974 LONDON | Design Centre
1973 COLOGNE | Modern Art Museum
1972 TURIN | Eurodomus
1971 PARIS | Musée des Arts Décoratifs
1970 MILAN | Eurodomus

1968 PARIS | Musée des Arts Décoratifs
1968 MILAN | Triennale

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