CRU was an exhibition of new work by Sebastian Bergne; a prolific range of objects that explore the consumption culture surrounding wine. Bergne considers wine as culturally and socially important - he describes wine as social glue that brings people together.

 

The exhibition displayed transport, storage and serving products; new ways of consuming wine; glasses and wine carafes that are incomplete without a wine cork;   a series of plastic containers (left) entitled Wine Diary with samples that form columns that celebrate the colour palette of wine - a recollection of the consumed wine. Bergne has also produced one-off t-shirts partially dipped in wine and even a game that creates sculptures built using corks. Although some items are ready for production and available to purchase, the exhibition will also show experimental and conceptual pieces.

 

Having recently returned from living in Bologna, Italy, this will be the first UK exhibition of new work by Sebastian Bergne in seven years.

 

Born in 1966, Sebastian Bergne graduated from the Royal College of Art (London) in 1990. Bergne has worked with many international manufacturers including Vitra, Authentics, Driade, Luceplan and Muji, winning numerous design awards. His work is part of the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art (New York) and the Design Museum (London). In 2008 he was appointed visiting professor at the Royal College of Art (London).

 

Photographer Helen Mellor