Let your inner child loose at Paris' Cité de la Mode

Paris’ Cité de la Mode et du Design puts on a show dedicated to childish fun.

Pictured: Le Grand Chantier Pour Adultes, where visitors can build their own cities using geometric building blocks

(Image credit: press)

last updated 26 October 2022

With the state of affairs as they are, Paris' Cité de la Mode et du Design curator Véronique Thouvenin decided that the institution, and society in general, was in need of some fun. Thus, 'Play!' came along, enlisting designers, artist and architects to transform the Cité's 3,000 sq m foyer into a giant playground.

Designed with all ages in mind – from five to 75 – the immersive exhibition takes visitors on a series of interactive installations ranging from sophisticated, high-tech creations to remastered old favourites. 'Game playing has always been a way of meeting and interacting with strangers,' Thouvenin explains, adding, 'we're in need of some sharing and diversion right now.'

Highlights include Belgian digital artist Tim Knapen's two interactive creations: l'Artisan Électronique, a virtual pottery studio where visitors 'turn' pots on the on-screen wheel then 'fire' them on the 3D ceramic printer; and Godmode, a program that brings their drawings instantly to life with his magic photocopier.

The Fichtre design collective created a new sport named Bantoosh. Played in a stadium-inspired wooden arena, the aim of the game is to score by planting a heavy wooden ball in the opposing team's net. While there is no predetermied team size, the designers recommend a minimum of two and maximum of 40 players take part at once. Unlike football, Bantoosh is played sitting down, and each team member must touch the ball at least once before scoring. The surface dips towards the centre, making scoring that much harder. And players cannot stand during play either – doing so means your team forfeits the game.

For those who would rather play a game they already know, artist Laurent Perbos' inventive and amusing ping pong tables are the perfect fit. His flying carpet-shaped, tubular, square and round tables raise the game to heady new heights.

There's the chance to build your own city too, or experience new culinary discoveries with Uthpala Galhenege. In short, every chance for your inner enfant to enjoy the fleeting summer.

Ping pong tables — Artist Laurent Perbos raises the bar with his unique ping pong tables

Pots on the on-screen wheel then ’fire’ them on the 3D ceramic printer. — Belgian digital artist Tim Knapen has two interactive installations, including *l’Artisan Électronique*, a virtual pottery studio where visitors ’turn’ pots on the on-screen wheel then ’fire’ them on the 3D ceramic printer

Bantoosh game which is played seated within a wooden stadium using a heavy wooden ball. — For those willing to learn a new game, the Fichtre design collective have created a new sport named Bantoosh, which is played seated within a wooden stadium using a heavy wooden ball

Screen of Game — ’Game playing has always been a way of meeting and interacting with strangers,’ explains curator Véronique Thouvenin. ’We’re in need of some sharing and diversion right now’

View of the Cité de la Mode et du Design from the opposite river bank of the Seine.

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Cité de la Mode et du Design website

ADDRESS

Les Docks Cité de la Mode et du Design
34 quai d’Austerlitz
75013 Paris

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