Pierre Paulin: Life and Work

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Playfully rejecting the orderly restraint of mid-century design, the French avant-garde designer Pierre Paulin (1927-2009) imagined sleek departure lounges for the jet set, perfume bottles for Courreges, and unforgettable Pop-era pieces like the Orange Slice chair, the shell-shaped Oyster chair and the Tongue, a wavy, low- slung chaise longue. Paulin's signature innovation was to clothe his pieces in colourful stretch fabrics, softening them and concealing their inner steel and wood. A modernist, traditionalist and perfectionist, he took equal care designing everyday objects such as fans, razors and fondue pots as he did outfitting the private elysee quarters of French presidents Pompidou and Mitterand. Ever passionate about the new technologies and inventions that made modernity possible, and deeply sensitive to contemporary colours, shapes and materials, he never ceased to astonish with unexpected and dazzling leaps of imagination. From the 1950s onwards, Paulin - A solitary figure of great natural reserve - has inspired generations of designers. This book is the first definitive account of his life and work.

Reviews

"Pierre Paulin: Life and Work should be at the top of design lovers' reading lists." -- "Esquire"
"Pierre Paulin: Life and Work by Nadine Descendre [is] a sumptuous volume about a French classic of modernism. . . . Paulin's recognition long overdue, the book moves him up to the front burner." -- "Elle Decor"
"Capturing the designs of Pierre Paulin, whose internationally lauded work departed from the linear restraints of midcentury design, Pierre Paulin: Life and Work depicts a bygone era of sleek departure lounges and pop-era icons. . . . Paulin's fondness for bright colors seeps off the pages--even the book's edges are a bright blue."-- "Surface"

Author Bio

Nadine Descendre enjoys an international reputation as a journalist, art critic, documentary film maker, and curator. Mme Descendre has held several high level posts within the Ministry of Culture, is a former director of Ecole des Beaux-Arts(Nmes), and has taught at Columbia University and lectured at MoMA. Currently, Nadine Descendre is the Director of l'Agence Interculturelle Europenne (A.I.E.).