Pierre Paulin is without a doubt one of the most great French designers of the 20th century. The Mushroom (1960), the Orange Slice (1960), the Ribbon (1966) or even the Tongue (1967) are design icons known to all. Representative of the end of an era, of a society in the midst of cultural and economic renewal, the seats by Pierre Paulin appeal as much as they seduce. They perfectly follow the shapes of the human body thanks to an innovative research of curves and materials (elastic fabric and polyurethane foam) allowing a unique comfort. Paulin's signature creations therefore remain timeless! The family business Paulin, Paulin, Paulin was founded in 2008 with the aim of enhancing the work of the designer. It then produces various limited series and unpublished creations through prototypes with the help of the best craftsmen and the expertise of Michel Chalard, a close collaborator of Pierre Paulin. The company also participates in the creation and organization of events in tribute to the designer. It is in this context that the exhibition located at the Galerie Perrotin was born. 
The beautiful Parisian gallery in the 3rd arrondissement thus presents since October 22 and until December 19, 2015 the exhibition "Paulin, Paulin, Paulin". Never edited creations produced in limited edition by the family business, dialoguing with remarkable contemporary works (César, John De Andrea, Tara Donovan, Bertrand Lavier, Laurent Grasso ...). When we arrive in the pretty courtyard of the gallery, we can only be impressed by the beauty of the place! As soon as we walk through the first door, we are quickly immersed in the world of Pierre Paulin and contemporary artists. The first room highlights the "Iéna" armchairs and the "Jardin à la française" carpet, a commission from the Ministry of Culture and the Mobilier National for the fitting out of the great hypostyle hall of the Palais Iéna in 1986. The geometric patterns of the seats refer to the coffered ceilings and thus adapt to the imposing architecture of the Palace. We also find the table "Cathedral" (published by Artcurial in 1981) which is considered a masterpiece since it combines curves inspired by Gothic architecture with the rigor of engineering. Xavier Veilhan's mobiles are inspired by different disciplines (architecture, design, music, cinema etc) and perfectly match the vintage armchairs. The oil paintings hanging on the various walls are signed Mike Bouchet. They present the paradoxes of modern life and thus confront the attractive life of the consumer society with the drifts and excesses that it nevertheless generates. His works are provocative and strong, they can not leave indifferent. The young woman seen on the carpet is a sculpture particularly disturbing by its degree of realism. John De Andrea, an American artist, creates these naked female figures using molds from live models. He then works the skin with polychromes to accurately reproduce moles and scars.
The photograph by Candida Höfer (2005) depicts the Grand Gallery of the Louvre Museum and Paulin's "Borne" banquettes.
The world of the second piece is more minimalist. The set"Dune" (1970) by Pierre Paulin occupies a large part of it, a way to emphasize the imposing character of this large wooden structure covered with foam and textile. Imagined in 1970, commissioned by Herman Miller as part of a residential program, this creation aims to combine several elements: it is thus possible to associate and disassociate them as we see fit, depending on our desires. The prototypes were first shown in 2014 by Paulin Paulin Paulin and Louis Vuitton during Design Miami. The sculpture by John De Andrea highlights the sensual curves of the set. The work on the left is by Venezuelan artistJesus Rafael Soto, an iconic figure in kinetic art. This painting plays on the superposition of several elements offering an optical vibration effect. As for the mosaic of mirrors named Group 5 (2010), it is inspired by Islamic art but also by modern art. Monir Shahroudy Farfmanfarmaian plays on the abstraction of texture and surface, light and reflection, color and form. An alliance between modern and traditional inspirations (nomadic tents and minarets). The third piece presents "La Déclive" (1966) by Pierre Paulin. A creation made through a serial sucession of foam-covered wooden slats, linked together by two aluminum spines which allows for a real solid articulation while providing an illusion of weightlessness. Only two prototypes exist, one of which is in the collections of the National Museum of Modern Art. Both furniture and sculpture, this work by Pierre Paulin is particularly subjugating.
The "Tongue" chair is placed on top of a cabinet of plans and plays on the idea of cultural heritage and the status of readymade. This work is by Betrand Lavier and is titled "Paulin/Planokind".
The fourth and final piece is particularly beautiful and aesthetic thanks to its play on lights and optical effects. The "seat rug" (1970) by Paulin is in the center. It was designed under the same conditions as the "Dune" set since it meets the same expectations and objectives. The work you can observe on the right is signed Laurent Grasso and is called Anechoic Wall (2015). Part of a series, it highlights the artist's interest in acoustic materials and borrows different forms and materials such as copper here. It captures and reflects the sound but also the light. The second work presented, "Silver-Fan" (1966/2014) by Heinz Mack, plays on the effects of shadows and light through three-dimensionality. It transforms and reflects its surroundings.
Tara Donovan's Tara Donovan's two "Drawing (Pins)" paintings (2015) are particularly beautiful. Composed of thousands of nickel-plated steel rods embedded in foam board and arranged in gradients, they offer an optical effect and play on the reflection of light.
During the visit of this beautiful exhibition, we were able to discover unpublished pieces by Pierre Paulin in an original and unique environment! If you are passionate about design and vintage furniture and contemporary art, we therefore highly recommend you to go and visit the Galerie Perrotin.
Contact Galerie Perrotin Free admission 60 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris 01 42 16 79 79
