Emanuele Coccia at DesignTalks 2025
Emanuele Coccia is a philosopher and associate professor at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris, an estimed author and a frequent collaborator with designers, artists and cultural institutions globally. DesignTalks takes place on the 2nd of April in Harpa, Reykjavik with the theme of The Source.
Coccia’s work explores the materiality of our contemporary world, our place in it and our relationship with it, contributing to an important dialogue on contemporary aesthetics. In his book The Life of Plants (2018) he proposes a radical redefinition of the place of humanity within the realm of life, in Philosophy of the Home. Domestic Space and Happiness (2021) he calls for a reevolution of domestic space as a potential incubator for social and economic change and in The Life of forms. Philosophy of Re-enchantment (2024) together with his longtime collaborator Alessandro Michele GUCCI’s former creative director, now Valentino, he explores the relationships between us and “things” whether they’re work of art or everyday objects or, in his own words: “clothes aren’t only artefacts, they’re hallways to another reality”. Other collaborators include FormaFantasma, Dotdotdot, Triennale di Milano, the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in Paris where he recently co-curated an ambitious exhibition on trees and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa co-curating an exhibition on art and ecology.
“Coccias view on the construct of the world and the ephemerality of our place in it is truly unique and his philosophical lens on design is both inspiring and thought provoking for our profession. Coccia has quite understandably become a key figure in the global contemporary art and design scene and we’re lucky to get the chance to welcome him on our stage.” - Hlín Helga, DesignTalks curator
The DesignTalks programme will revolve around The source in all its forms. Whether it’s taking a moment to go back to the source, reconnecting with the roots or restoring oneself, the source is also commonly used for a moment in time where something begins or springs into being, a source of ideas, inspiration or materials.
Save the date! Early bird tickets are now available to this popular event that has been sold out the last few years. Do not miss a full day of inspiration, innovation and creative powers!
