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Discover "Pierre Paulin" in Gobelin's Gallery with Art en Thèmes

Ribbon, Tulip, Mushroom , these poetics words evoke Pierre Paulin's world, which state owned furniture is celebrating his 80 years with a great exhibition in the Gobelins Galleries. Well known by the general public, mainly because he was in charge of removing the private apartments of the Elysée Palace, by M. Georges Pompidou. He is, still, a major designer of the 20th century and his innovative works have not aged. He revolutionized the look of the furniture using the stretch jersey, normally used for underwear's, using this fabric mainly for armchairs, the tissue used like a second skin to hide the metallic structures (or wooden structures) . One of his most famous armless chair named Tongue curved and re-curved is the main example of Paulin's research for comfort and functionality. He was trained in Vallauris for modelling, Camondo ornamental school for classical studies, he worked ten years for Thonet. He travelled to Holland where he creates Ribbon still on the market.

From Pompidou's dining-room to the Elysée Palace

Coming back in France he starts a long collaboration with the state owned furniture institution through the ARC (Atelier de Recherche et de Création) National Studio for Research and Creation, participating at the Louvre's renovation, creating markers in the Italian painting gallery.
In 1971, President Pompidou asked him to create, a dining room, a lounge for his private painting collection and a smoking room, he had to respect the 18th C. decoration of wooden panels which are dating from the time of Louis 15th mistress, Mrs. de Pompadour.
Paulin imagined plinths which could be dismantled easily.
At the time of M. François Mitterrand he had to fit out the presidential office, very simple blue furniture, standing on superb carpets coming from the old royal manufactures.
This furniture coming from the Elysée Palace is the finest jewel of the exhibition, with a special display under sparkling ceilings reflecting indefinitely Paulin's creations.



The seat, ambivalent symbol of power and comfort

The most important research of the designer was devoted to the seat, anthological symbol of the power, which all avatars, royal or republican seats are in the furniture depository of the Republic
These pieces are audaciously displayed for the exhibition, allowing the visitor to discover Paulin's work, which is able to knock about or to integrate official codes inherited from our kings through sparkling colors and sensual shapes. All objects in this exhibition were chosen by Paulin in the state owned furniture, through centuries, Napoleon's military furniture, tapestry “millefiori” from the middle age till the 18th C. All are part of his inspiration.

Design for the largest public

Like his modernist colleagues, Pierre Paulin still wants to work for the largest public, he worked anonymously for industrial items, (Calor, Tefal) but also Renault, Saviem, Thomson, Ericsson.
In 1990, he also fit out the Air France Airbus.
Pierre Paulin, a blazing 80 years old creator, is still working, for our greatest pleasure and the one of designs amateurs. He just created for our stated owned furniture, a complete unity with arm-chairs and a sofa.

Juin 2008
Pierre Paulin Exhibition
Mobilier national
1, rue Berbier du Mets
75013 Paris

From february second to july 27 th