The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Tiziano Pedrioli, Deputy Consul General of Switzerland in Guangzhou; Mr. Jiuhua Lin, Director of the Cultural System Reform and Development Division of the Publicity Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee; Mr. Fentian Chang, Secretary of the Zhaoshang Subdistrict Party Working Committee; Mr. Jason Sun, Director of China Merchants Cultural Industries and Swiss designer Mr. Ivo Allgoewer.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Consul General Pedrioli expressed his congratulations on the successful launch of the exhibition in Shenzhen—a city celebrated for its innovation and design excellence. As the first major Swiss design exhibition in South China, this event honors Switzerland’s remarkable legacy in creativity and design, while also marking the important occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China. The exhibition invites visitors on an immersive journey through centuries of Swiss design, highlighting its profound global impact and timeless influence in contemporary culture.
Ms. Amber Zhang, Director of the Sea World Culture and Arts Center, emphasized in her speech that the center has always been committed to its mission of building an interntional cultural exchange platform, striving to become a key local gateway for global culture. She noted that the Swiss Design Classics exhibition's presence in Shenzhen, as a 'Global Partner' project of Shenzhen Design Week in 2025, represents a significant achievement in cultural exchange between Shenzhen and the international community - with design as the medium and innovation as the goal.
Swiss designer Mr. Ivo Allgoewer also shared that as a young Swiss designer, he was fascinated by the precision, functionality and clarity of Switzerland, and was also influenced and inspired by design giants such as Max Bill and Le Corbusier.
Following the ceremony, the guests were led through a guided tour by Assistant Curator Ms. Zhang Yilin, taking them on a 400-year exploration of Swiss design heritage. Swiss designer Allgoewer also offered engaging insights into his works 'Lenggewäädli', representing the perspectives of the featured artists.
The exhibition will run until May 11, 2025, offering audiences a window into the essence of Swiss design and innovation. It is also hoped that this exhibition will not only enhance cultural exchanges between China and Switzerland but also inspire designers, architects, and creative minds from both countries to explore new collaborative opportunities.
