Pierre Paulin monograph edited by Catherine Geel published by Archibooks

A comprehensive monograph on French designer Pierre Paulin has been published by Archibooks in collaboration with Grand Hornu Images. Edited by Catherine Geel, a design theorist and curator of the exhibition 'Pierre Paulin Supermoderne' held at the Musée du Grand Hornu, the book brings together contributions from multiple specialists. It examines Paulin's multifaceted career as an interior architect, furniture and industrial product designer, scenographer, art director, and agency director. The publication aims to situate Paulin within design history, emphasizing his stance against 'star design' or 'artist design.' The first part explores his personality, while the final section presents his works with hypertext-like cross-references to authors' contributions and project notes. In the 1970s, Paulin undertook prestigious commissions such as the interiors of the Palais de l'Élysée under the Pompidou era, including a smoking room where furniture and the room's self-supporting structure merge. His most revolutionary work involved upholstering armchairs with brightly colored stretch fabric covers, exemplified by the famous 'Mushroom' chair, a reinterpretation of the classic club chair or bergère. Richly documented with photographs, plans, and sketches, the book traces Paulin's commitment to modernity and his enduring intelligent subversion of contemporary trends.