The prominent Chilean designer based in New York, carried out two critical activities at the Design School of Universidad del Desarrollo. At the Concepción campus, he presented his monographic book Sebastián Errázuriz: 2004-2024 Art & Design, while in Santiago, he participated in a new edition of RED Sessions, an event that promotes networking among key figures in Chilean design.

Sebastián Errázuriz’s work has been showcased in prestigious galleries and museums, including iconic locations like Times Square, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the New Museum in New York, and the National Stadium in Chile. His artworks and designs have been featured in hundreds of exhibitions. They are part of permanent collections in museums worldwide, solidifying his status as one of the most influential artists of his generation.

During his stay in the city of Concepción, the renowned designer celebrated the official launch of his book for southern Chile at UDD Design, a work of almost 500 pages published in Spanish and English and financed by the National Fund for Cultural Development and the Arts (FONDART). This book summarizes two decades of work and offers an in-depth exploration of the creative process behind his works, including public art installations and innovative design pieces.

The activity, led by Dean Alejandra Amenábar, also included the participation of Paloma Zúñiga, who is a UDD Alumni and currently serves as Seremi of Cultures, Arts and Heritage of Biobío. Zúñiga highlighted the importance of financing projects that make Chilean design visible.

In his presentation, Errázuriz challenged students to reflect on their role as designers, addressing topics such as creativity, artistic identity, and specialisation. He also concluded with a call to build the future from the present, taking advantage of the tools provided by university education.

“This event allows us to highlight the quality and creativity of Chilean design, recognising our talents and promoting the value of design in our culture and society. With his innovative approach and his ability to challenge the limits of creativity, Sebastián shows us the transformative power of design and inspires us all to be agents of change, develop critical thinking, and approach our work with a bold and revolutionary perspective,” explained the highest authority of the school.

Meanwhile, in Santiago, Errázuriz participated in RED Sessions, an activity promoting dialogue between design professionals, companies, and public and private organizations. In his presentation, he shared his vision of artificial intelligence and its impact on creative industries. “Technology industries are advancing in the development of AI, but we still lack experts capable of predicting how it will affect society and disciplines such as art and design,” said the designer.

According to Alejandra Amenábar, the dean of UDD Design, hosting a designer visit presents an excellent opportunity to expand our understanding of contemporary design. “Sebastián’s work consistently pushes the boundaries between art, design, and technology. This encourages us to reconsider the discipline’s future from various perspectives,” she stated.