The French capital geared up for its bi-annual fiesta of design last week. Textiles were celebrated at Deco Off, new product at the halls of the Maison et Objet fair; while galleries and showrooms across the city were getting in on the action, too. Here’s our hit list of the launches, installations and shows that were unmissable this year.
Pool for CVL Luminaires
Last year, Léa Padovani and Sébastien Kieffer’s studio Pool took over art direction at CVL Luminaires. This year, the emerging talents have created two new designs – a reading light and spotlight – in addition to a new brass version of their ‘Cercle & Trait’ suspension light (pictured). The duo will also created the stand design for the fair, which hosted an exciting new collection by Pauline Deltour.
Mathieu Lehanneur at Christie's Paris
The French designer continues his aquatic agenda with a solo exhibition at the Parisian auction house. ‘50 Seas’ is inspired by the eclectic hues of the oceans – ‘the infinite colour variations of the water reveal our planet’s true complexity’, he muses. The show features 50 enamelled ceramic works (a version of which was created for Wallpaper* Handmade last year) mounted onto the wall, each suggesting a geographic locale, from the Gulf of Guinea to the Bay of Bengal.
Rising Talents awards
Maison et Objet has teamed up with the Italian Trade Agency for the January edition of the Rising Talents awards. Here, a star-studded list of six judges – Andrea Branzi, Rossana Orlandi, Giulio Cappellini, Luca Nichetto, Piero Lissoni and Rosita Missoni – have chosen six exciting emerging Italian designers. For example, Branzi was enthused by the work of 2011 graduate Federica Biasi because of her ‘quintessential design and poetic ideas’. The designer, who is also art director at Mingardo, bought her creative story to an installation at the fair, together with new launches.
Designer of the year
Cecilie Manz has been chosen as the Maison et Objet designer of the year for 2018, for her experimental flair. The Danish designer is displaying her outstanding talents at the fair by creating an installation of new designs, showing how they often intertwine. ‘Gâteau’ (pictured) is inspired by her work with B&O Play and knack for designing in aluminium. A wooden tray is placed on an anodised aluminium ring, acting as a display area for cake (or other equally precious objects).
Pulpo
The German design brand has tapped three different designers – Sebastian Herkner, Hermann August Weizenegger and Michael Schmidt – for its Maison et Objet launches. Herkner’s addition to the collection includes a range of translucent hand-blown glass sidetables in different frosted finishes; while whimsical floor lights by August Weizenegger take cues from the shape of a heron.
INFORMATION
Paris Design Week runs from 19–23 January. For more information, visit the Maison et Objet website
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