Design Oracles

La Gaîté lyrique and the Centre national des arts plastiques invited Lidewij Edelkoort to take a unique and original look at the CNAP’s design and decorative arts collection.

François Azambourg, Vase Douglas, 2009, Bernard Chauveau Éditeur, Suresnes (France) et le Centre international d'art verrier, Meisenthal (France) FNAC 09-357 (1 à 6) © François Azambourg/CNAP. Photo Bernard Chauveau Éditeur
While objects in dialogue and new manufacturing methods open up fresh perspectives of society, “Design Oracles”  – on view at La Gaîté lyrique, Paris – brings together objects embedded with a prophetic power to anticipate or reveal our key lifestyles and the domestic landscape at large.
The design collection of the Centre national des arts plastiques, one of the largest in Europe, reflects the diversity and transformation of the contemporary world. Lidewij Edelkoort’s prospective and eclectic approach is in keeping with the spirit of this collection, acquiring the most important forms of artistic expression from the past thirty years, be they French or international, in order to build the cultural heritage of tomorrow.
<b>Above, left</b>: Thème abstrait. Shot made in the reserves of CNAP. Styling : Sergio Machado. Photo © Lisa Klappe/CNAP. <b>Left</b>: Thème gonflé. Shot made in the reserves of CNAP. Styling : Sergio Machado. Photo © Lisa Klappe/CNAP
Top: François Azambourg, Vase Douglas, 2009, Bernard Chauveau Éditeur, Suresnes (France) et le Centre international d'art verrier, Meisenthal (France) FNAC 09-357 (1 à 6) © François Azambourg/CNAP. Photo Bernard Chauveau Éditeur. Above, left: Thème abstrait. Shot made in the reserves of CNAP. Styling : Sergio Machado. Photo © Lisa Klappe/CNAP. Left: Thème gonflé. Shot made in the reserves of CNAP. Styling : Sergio Machado. Photo © Lisa Klappe/CNAP
While connected objects and new manufacturing methods open up a new dimension of our relationship to the world, “Design Oracles” brings together objects endowed with a prophetic power that anticipates or reveals our lifestyles and our domestic landscape.
Lidewij Edelkoort’s approach draws from the CNAP’‘s collection and seeks to reflect how we are changing centuries. Questioning the concept of object in a world of flux and information is more necessary than ever in order to better understand the challenges of a world that we keep inventing.
Thème simple. Shot made in the reserves of CNAP. Styling : Sergio Machado. Photo © Lisa Klappe/CNAP
Thème simple. Shot made in the reserves of CNAP. Styling : Sergio Machado. Photo © Lisa Klappe/CNAP

The exhibition proposes to provide a new perspective on the CNAP’s collection, by using a 52-meter-long podium that runs the entire length of la Gaîté lyrique’s lower level. The objects have been organized thematically and file past one by one on a mineral and concrete structure. At the end of the podium, landscapes are projected onto a screen.

To the side, the curator’s texts are printed on the walls and help give meaning to such an unusual parade. On the mezzanine level at la Gaîté lyrique, the entrance to the exhibition features a black podium and black objects in a black space. A small exhibition space downstairs is designed in direct contrast with the black entrance: an all-white universe featuring a white podium, white furniture, and objects from the “Humble” theme, accompanied by soft and bright images projected on the walls.


April 3 – August 16, 2015
Design Oracles
curated by Lidewij Edelkoort
exhibition design and overall coordination: Cyril Gros and Mélinée Kambilo
graphic design: Soukvilay Cordier
La Gaîté lyrique
3 bis rue Papin, Paris

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