A stylish room with elegant decor, featuring round yellow rugs and sculptural elements, including a unique wooden side table and a marble fireplace.

Cosmos and Matter: A Parisian Exhibition Proving Sustainability and Avant-Garde Design Can Coexist

Words by Eric David

Paris, France

While the buzz around sustainability in design may sometimes overshadow its tangible impact, it continues to be a powerful force driving innovation and creativity. Case in point: "Cosmos and Matter", an immersive exhibition in Paris that proves how sustainable practices and eco-friendly materials can seamlessly align with avant-garde design. Occupying an elegant Haussmannian apartment in the 7th arrondissement, the installation (running from 7 November 2024 to 16 February 2025) unites 22 designers, artisans, and artists who champion materials such as reclaimed wood, upcycled textiles, construction waste, and vegetable leathers, to demonstrate how ecological mindfulness can fuel both artistry and craftsmanship.

Curators Marie-Cassandre Bultheel and Hélène Aguilar conceived Cosmos and Matter less like a showroom and more as a blueprint for a new "art de vivre”. Unfolding across ten meticulously curated rooms, the exhibition invites visitors to journey through a realm where natural cycles meet human ingenuity, and ancestral wisdom intersects with contemporary aesthetics, offering us an opportunity to reconsider our relationship with the spaces we inhabit and the materials that shape our lives.

A modern lamp with a sculptural design, featuring flowing light strands, stands beside a yellow rug and a minimalist wooden stool.

Salon de la Lune. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Cushions and rugs by Muskhane; Floor lamp and chair by Elisa Uberti. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A stylish hallway with white walls and herringbone wood floors, featuring a doorway labeled "SALON de la LUNE" and a wooden sculpture.

Cosmos and Matter, exhibition view. "Facteur commun" by Jörg Koziol. Wooden sculpture. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A cozy interior featuring decorative natural fibers on the wall, stacked cushions, and a marble fireplace in a bright room.

Cosmos and Matter, exhibition view. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

Two handmade ceramic masks rest on a black wooden stool, set against a sandy backdrop and soft fabric drapery.

"Mask" by Anna Alexandra. Sculptural masks in papier-mâché and acrylic paint. Photography by Elia Nedkov.

The concept of Cosmos and Matter stems from Bultheel and Aguilar’s shared vision of re-establishing harmony between humanity and nature through beauty. As Bultheel explains, “Inhabiting our spaces is more than a utilitarian interaction with matter; it is a sensitive and precious relationship with the Earth and cosmos.” This question—how can we inhabit our interiors differently?—formed the starting point for imagining the apartment as a sensory journey through ten conceptual scenes, each highlighting different facets of sustainable living. Highlights include two salons inspired by the celestial cycles of the sun and moon, a bar celebrating the transformative power of botanics, and a dining room exploring the cultural and ecological dimensions of food. The ten spaces also serve as a dynamic setting for a rich program of meetings, workshops, talks, and even dinners, creating an immersive environment where ideas and experiences converge.

A bright hallway featuring decorative sun plates on white walls, leading to a modern room with circular rugs and unique lighting.

Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Ceramic plates and basin by Linda Pappa. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A modern interior featuring two oval mirrors with gradient patterns, framed by elegant white walls and a sandy textured floor.

Nouveau Langage. Cosmos and Matter, exhibition view. "Réflecteur Gabarit 1 & 2" by Sacha Parent Marie Simon Thomas. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A minimalist corner showcases shelves with various abstract ceramic sculptures and glass jars, complemented by warm wooden flooring.

Le Corps de la Terre. Cosmos and Matter, exhibition view. Ceramics by Marcela Paz Undurraga. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A spacious, elegantly designed room featuring yellow circular rugs, decorative spheres, and vintage furnishings against ornate white walls.

Salon de la Lune. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Wooden loudspeaker by Timothée Musset; Cushions and rugs by Muskhane; Wall lamp by Elisa Uberti; Stools by HORS Studio and bold design. Photography by Jérôme Galland.

A stylish interior featuring yellow rugs, decorative spheres, a minimalistic wall lamp, and elegant columns, bathed in soft light.

Salon de la Lune. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Cushions and rugs by Muskhane; Wall lamp by Elisa Uberti; Stools by HORS Studio and bold design. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A spacious, elegant room with wooden flooring, yellow circular rugs, sculptural objects, and ornate white walls featuring a fireplace.

Salon de la Lune. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Cushions and rugs by Muskhane; Wall lamp by Elisa Uberti; Stools by HORS Studio and bold design. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A stylish corner of a room featuring a sculptural lamp with flowing fringes, a round rug, and minimalist furniture against intricate moldings.

Salon de la Lune. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Photography by Jérôme Galland.

In contrast to Salon de la Lune’s ethereal serenity, Salon du Soleil exudes vitality, celebrating masculine energy, action, and creation courtesy of designer Arnold d’Alger whose gilded murals adorn the room’s walls and ceiling. Titled "Galaxie", these shimmering compositions invite visitors to contemplate humanity’s place in the vast cosmos, blending cosmic awe with intimate connection. Focusing on the life-giving and destructive properties of the sun’s power, the murals also serve to provoke an element of reflection on how we harness and balance its energy in our interiors.

A stylish hallway features two doorways labeled "Salon du Soleil" and "Salon de la Lune," with a wooden sculpture in the center.

Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

Elegant room featuring a gold sun mural on the ceiling, ornate mirrors, and floral designs on glass doors, with warm wood accents.

Salon du Soleil. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Murals by Arnold d’Alger. Photography by Jérôme Galland.

A softly lit, minimalist room featuring a wicker stool, a rolled-up brown curtain, a large mirror, and elegant window views.

Cosmos and Matter, exhibition view. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A shiny gold disc hangs from a driftwood branch, set against a light-colored wall, evoking a minimalist artistic vibe.

"L’âme du bois" (detail) by Pauline Effantin. Mobile sculpture. Photography by Pauline Effantin.

View through a circular opening revealing a minimalist interior with wooden furniture, a plant, and the sign "TABLE VIVANTS" above the entrance.

Cosmos and Matter, exhibition view. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

At the heart of the exhibition, La Table des Vivants is a space that delves into the cultural and ecological significance of food. A large organic-shaped table and 19 stools in oil-stained birch wood by Little Anana serves to anchor the room accompanied by tableware made from recycled clay from ceramicist Manon Ledieu, wooden spoons and trays by Léa Laborie, and Lucie Ponard’s glazed stoneware and "earth paintings" fashioned from construction waste. Transcending the conventional boundaries of design exhibitions, this ephemeral dining environment will also host a series of experiential dinners helmed by Shira Bio, a culinary artist focusing on plant-based cuisine and the art of fermentation.

Adding a unique layer of artistry, Bio's painterly installation of edible leathers, made from dehydrated fruits and vegetables, underscores the creative possibilities of food as both sustenance and medium. Together, these elements transform the dining environment into an ephemeral experience, where sustainability and craftsmanship converge to inspire reflection on the deeper connections between food, culture, and ecological mindfulness.

A modern dining setup featuring an oval table with wooden stools, elegant cookware, and colorful textile art on a white wall.

La Table des Vivants. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

Elegant dining setup featuring a curved table with pottery, glassware, and wood accents in a bright, airy room with draped curtains.

La Table des Vivants. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A wooden dining table with circular stools, adorned with jars on the wall, showcasing colorful preserved foods.

La Table des Vivants. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Fermentation jars by Shira Bio; Wooden vessel by Timothy Musset. Table and stools by Little Anana. Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

A stylish dining area features a round wooden table with stools, adorned with a colorful fabric wall art display and elegant tableware.

La Table des Vivants. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Edible leathers made of dehydrated fruits and vegetables by Shira Bio; Table and stools by Little Anana. Photography by Jérôme Galland.

In Bar Botanique, the concept of sustainability converges with sensual delight, from the plant-based perfumes of Eric Roux, the perfumier behind Paysan Parfumeur, to the chocolates of Carrés Sauvages, a French brand that champions certified organic and fair-trade crops. A floral installation made from hand-painted, upcycled paper by French florist Tij celebrates life’s fragility and resilience whilst poignantly challenging the environmental toll of industries such as floristry. Joanna Prunes, meanwhile, honours local flora through textiles created from upcycled fabrics dyed with pigments derived from plants such as chestnut bark, eucalyptus, and grapevine for the tablecloth and napkins she created specifically for Cosmos and Matter.

A textured stone block with a small red flower planted on top, set against a neutral wall and wooden floor.

"Tufa" by HORS Studio. Sculptural vase made of Leatherstone©. Photography by Florent Tanet & Ella Perdereau.

A chic hallway leading to "Bar Botanique", featuring a floral arrangement and wooden accents in a bright, elegant space.

Bar Botanique. Exhibition view, Cosmos and Matter. Photography by Jérôme Galland.

As the exhibition looks beyond its Parisian debut, plans are already in motion to bring Cosmos and Matter to other ephemeral spaces across Europe. In doing so, it aims to weave a broader narrative of sustainability and interconnectedness, challenging us all to reimagine how we inhabit not only our interiors but our planet. For now, however, it remains a rare gem in the Parisian design landscape—an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover the profound beauty of living in harmony with both the cosmos and matter.

A collection of ceramic pomegranates in various sizes displayed on a textured stone surface against a soft beige backdrop.

Pomegranate vessels by Linda Pappa. Made of wild Cretan clay. Photography by Art of Euphoria.

Two women pose elegantly in a stylish room featuring a marble fireplace, modern art, and a large round mirror, exuding sophistication.

Portrait of Marie-Cassandre Bultheel (left) and Hélène Aguilar (right). Photography by Mathilde Hiley.

Cosmos and Matter: A Parisian Exhibition Proving Sustainability and Avant-Garde Design Can Coexist