Title
THEMA Design & Art Fair
Posted In
Furniture Design, Industrial / Product Design, Lighting Design
Duration
15 October 2024 to 20 October 2024
Location
72 Rue de l'Université
75007 Paris
France
Email
[email protected]
Detailed Information
TitleTHEMA Design & Art FairPosted InFurniture Design, Industrial / Product Design, Lighting DesignDuration15 October 2024 to 20 October 2024
Location
72 Rue de l'Université
75007 Paris
France
Email[email protected]

Aiming to redefine the experience of art and design by breaking away from traditional trade fair conventions, THEMA Fair dynamically entered the Parisian art and design scene last year with an immersive show at the 17th-century Hôtel de Guise in Paris’s 7th arrondissement. THEMA’s second edition, held from October 15 to 20 in the same hôtel particulier, continued the ethos established in its first iteration, showcasing artists, designers, and artisans from various disciplines through a carefully curated journey that blur the boundaries between traditional and contemporary artistry. Unfolding across the building’s myriad of rooms and its courtyard, with emerging talents standing alongside established names, the experience felt more like visiting a salon or private residence than a design fair.

Central to THEMA’s ethos is the concept of a fair as a place of exchange and dialogue. Describing the event, THEMA’s founder Michael Hadida states: "With THEMA, our ambition is to rehabilitate the original idea of the salon as a space for exchange and expression." The fair's design fully embodies this vision, eliminating traditional booths and rigid divisions in favour of an immersive and integrated experience, part of THEMA's objective to connect artists and art lovers in a setting that encourages discovery and interaction, making each piece feel like a natural extension of its surroundings.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

The dialogic aspect at the core of the fair’s mission was also reinforced by the curation of diverse artistic expressions. Works on display ranged from intricate sculptures and contemporary furniture to unique art objects, each chosen not for its trendiness but for its intrinsic value and ability to spark a conversation between different artistic disciplines. Highlights included Kym Ellery's bronze patina jewellery lamps, straw marquetry mirrors from L’œil de KO gallery, and the hand-painted mosaic wall sculptures from Galerir Jag. The selection of works by both emerging designers Lucie de Chaumont and Chanel Kapitanj, and renowned artists such as Jean-Guillaume Mathiaut, Wendy Andreu, and Sandra Benhamou, further enriched the fair’s cross-disciplinary dialogue.

Other standout pieces included William Guillon's theatrical bronze and quartzite tables, Alejandra Laviada's striking sculptures, Raphael Herman's poetic photographs, and the imaginative landscapes of Joss Attal. These works sat alongside innovative creations such as Thomas Junghans' sculpted portraits, presented by the gallery Tourette, and Gabriella Puig Soleil's iridescent glass-topped modernist tables.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Set against the backdrop of the historic Hôtel de Guise, THEMA intentionally created a contrast between the old and the new. "I wanted to breathe life back into this historic place, to create a dialogue between the old world and the new," Hadida shares. The venue's period parquet floors, aged textiles, and master canvases provided a rich, historical context that enhanced the presentation of contemporary works. This juxtaposition between classic architecture and avant-garde design served as a powerful statement about the evolution of artistic expression, highlighting how modern creativity can coexist with and even rejuvenate historic spaces. At the same time, the fair’s immersive scenography offered visitors a new way of experiencing the role of art in everyday life.

All in all, THEMA’s second edition was a resounding success for those seeking a more intimate and meaningful artistic experience, thereby solidifying its place in the Parisian art scene.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

Photography by Claire Israel.

THEMA’s founder Michael Hadida. Photography by Claire Israel.

THEMA’s founder Michael Hadida. Photography by Claire Israel.

THEMA Fair's 2nd Edition Blurs the Boundaries Between Traditional and Contemporary Artistry

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