Demisch Danant revives France’s revolutionary designs

charoy lamp — Lamps, by Sabine Charoy, 1981. © SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri

(Image credit: Photography: Thierry Depagne, courtesy of Demisch Danant)

In an era obsessed with churning out one progressive concept after another, a plastic accent chair from the 1960s or halogen lightbulb seemingly pale in comparison to today’s high-tech pieces.

But Suzanne Demisch, co-founder of design gallery Demisch Danant, would disagree. ‘It’s not a new material for us, but some of these pieces are still so avant garde and contemporary,’ she said. ‘It [was a] pioneer movement.’ The gallery’s newest exhibition, ‘Innovation: made in France II’, proves the accomplishments of yesteryear live up to today’s demand for modern design.

*'Esox Chair '(Small), by Jean-Pierre Laporte, 1972. © SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri*

A continuation of the gallery’s inaugural Made in France exhibition series, ‘Innovation’ highlights historical designs that spurred from France’s technological and and economic boom between 1965 to 1975. Though only a piece of the puzzle, Demisch and co-founder Stephane Danant created an exhibit that offers a comprehensive glimpse into the period’s design scene.

‘When you think about French design history, there’s different spheres in the 1960s and 70s,’ Demisch said. ‘We wanted to connect the dots in terms of showing what we kind of take for granted.’ To give the 60-piece exhibit a laser-sharp focus, ‘Innovation’ looks at the decade through three specific lenses: the emergence of plastic and synthetic materials; advances in lighting and the lightbulb; and Roger Tallon’s efforts to revolutionise France’s industrial design aesthetic.

From Tallon’s chromed steel ‘Orly’ club chair, to the synthetic materials used in Jean-Pierre Laporte’s ‘Esox’ chair, to Sabine Charoy’s geometric lamps, Innovation showcases industry favorites with under-the-radar gems. Regardless of each piece’s notoriety, Demisch Danant’s exhibition is more a breath of fresh air than a trip down memory lane.

Menichetti Lighting — 'Tumbo' lamp, by Piero Menichetti, 1973. © SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri

Strigam lamp — Left, floor lamp, by Sabine Charoy, 1969. Right, 'Strigam' lamp, by Jean-Pierre Vitrac, 1983. © SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri

Lotus chair — 'Lotus' chair, by André Vandenbeuck, 1969. *© SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri*

Orly Matic chair — 'Orly Club' chair (left), 1966, and 'Orly Matic' chair, 1966, both by Roger Tallon and Technès. *© SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri*

Medius chair — 'Medius' chair, by Roger Tallon, 1979. *© SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri*

Micro floor lamp — 'Micro' floor lamp, by Roger Tallon, 1972. *© SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri*

Chair, by Pierre Paulin, 1972. *© SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri*

Xram chair — 'Xram' chair, by Jean Dudon, 1971. *© SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri*

*Jide Chair*, 1968, by Jean Dudon © SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri

Lounge chair (prototype), by Jean Dudon, 1971. *© SNCF Médiathèque / Michel Henri*

INFORMATION

’Innovation: made in France II’ is on view until 1 July. For more information, visit the Demisch Danant website

Photography: Thierry Depagne, courtesy of Demisch Danant

ADDRESS

Demisch Danant,
30 West 12th Street
New York NY 10011

VIEW GOOGLE MAPS

TOPICS