Cultural crossings at Maison et Objet January 2020
In Paris this January, Maison et Objet (17-21 January) spanned fun rides, poetic performances and a Mediterranean brand launch
Watch Maison et Objet Designer of the Year Michael Anastassiades tour us through his practice
It’s a new decade, but true to form, Paris’ winter cultural offerings roll on in. While the deep dive of Charlotte Perriand’s work stays strong at Foundation Louis Vuitton and fashion troops flocked in for menswear A/W, three new solo shows empower the limelight. Virgil Abloh brings street culture to Galerie Kreo, Herve Van der Straeten invites us onto his fun ride and Daniel Arsham takes us to 3020 at Galerie Perrotin in an exploration of historic sculpture. Inside the Maison et Objet (17-21 January) halls, Michael Anastassides presents his refined mobile lighting, while fresh talent on the French design scene get in the frame.
Explore our highlights from Maison et Objet and beyond
Fun Ride by Hervé Van der Straeten
18 January – 30 April; 11, rue Ferdinand-Duval, 75004 Paris
Over in the Marais district, the French artist-designer brings the whimsical essence of funfairs to his tenth solo show. Zappy (pictured) and Looping are among the names of the new consoles that will entertain viewers – products in lacquered wood and bronze. 35 pieces in total come together in Van der Straeten’s pleasure ground, including the Spider cabinet and Crystalline chandelier, and for added play, he shares the dialogue with the interdisciplinary work of artist duo Arotin & Serghei too – extending the visual treat through colour and light.
Rising Talents Awards
17-21 January; Parc des Expositions de Villepinte, 93420.
The gaze remains on home turf for the January 2020 edition of the Rising Talents Awards, as six French emerging names, Wendy Andreu, Mathieu Peyroulet Ghilini, Laureline Galliot, Julie Richoz, Adrien Garci (pictured) and Natacha & Sasha, have been chosen by a jury that includes Pierre Charpin, Didier Krzentowski, Guillaume Houzé, Pierre Yovanovitch, René-Jacques Mayer and Françoise Seince. True to the Parisian spirit, many of the designers have had a stint at local institution ENSCI Les Ateliers, while an eclectic range of techniques filter through the work, including cartoon software, hand craft, laser cutting and ecological solutions.
Trame
17-21 January; 94, rue Quincampoix, 75003 Paris.
It may be cooler climes, but new brand Trame is sending us energy from the Mediterranean with its launch of homeware and accessories created with historic stories in mind. The first range travels to Morocco, with hand crafted pieces inspired by stories of Madame de Blois, King Louis XIV’s favourite daughter. Italian designer Maddalena Casadei, London and Warsaw-based Maria Jeglinska and Julie Richoz from Paris have devised this inaugural collection, titled ‘A voyage to Meknes,’ that includes ceramics, rugs, curtains and blankets that are embedded with the artisanal culture of Morocco. Milan-based Studio Vedet have been tapped for the brand’s art director, and the collection will also travel to Salone del Mobile later in the year.
Michael Anastassiades Designer of the Year 2020
17-21 January; Parc des Expositions de Villepinte, 93420.
One of our shortlisted Designers of the Year, London-based Anastassiades goes full circle for Maison et Objet – the location where he first showed wares from his eponymous studio back in 2007. Over ten years on, he has been very busy, and 2019 marked his first retrospective in his home country of Cyprus. For this special showcase, he brings together all 16 of his Mobile Chandeliers (including some new iterations) with the poetic mastery his studio has become known for. ‘For me, it is important to always show something different, make sure that what I design explores a new idea.’
‘Efflorescence’ by Virgil Abloh at Galerie Kreo
Until 10 April; 31, Rue Dauphine, 75006, Paris. Courtesy, Galerie Kreo
Following two major design launches with both Vitra and Carpenters Workshop Gallery last year, Abloh has been tapped by Galerie Kreo for a street culture range. Architectural concrete forms have been emblazoned with the Chicago-born creative’s graffiti in a merging of eras, from brutalism to street culture. Read more here.
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INFORMATION
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Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.
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