The trip deepened his understanding of Suzhou's craftsmanship and cultural heritage. His most significant discovery was that the traditional Chinese craftsmanship will make a mark on the international stage, which was evident in the distinctive qualities he observed in Suzhou.
On the opening day of the exhibition, Delclaux hosted a livestream in which he introduced Taihu Lake, the curatorial source of his inspiration for the exhibition, and also highlighted selected exhibits for a global audience.
"During my time in Suzhou, I was captivated by its long history, delightful culture and remarkable craftsmanship," he says, adding that his aim was to share his experiences with the audience through the exhibition and its curated selection.
Delclaux integrated elements from Suzhou into the space and took into account the tastes of people from different cultural backgrounds to ensure a better alignment with the expectations of the international market.
He says that the exhibition and the project served as a useful way for the international audience to appreciate traditional Chinese craftsmanship, and sees this as a step toward keeping Chinese products up to date.
Looking ahead, he says that he hopes the exhibition will maximize on its brand appeal, create more international connections, and meet the needs of the global market.
During the opening ceremony, Guillaume Prot, show director of Maison & Objet Paris, expressed his pleasure at seeing the debut of Suzhou craftsmanship.
"We welcome more Chinese exhibitors to bring additional inspiration and surprises to the international design stage," Prot says, adding that the presence of Chinese exhibitors not only enhanced the French trade fair's international appeal, but also provided an opportunity to show the allure of Chinese products.
