Anthony Guerrée's "Contrepoint" at Musée Bourdelle
For his first participation in Paris Design Week, designer Anthony Guerrée has crafted an immersive installation that bridges past and present. Titled "Contrepoint," the exhibition unfolds within the permanent collections of Musée Bourdelle, creating an intimate conversation between contemporary design and the artistic legacy of Antoine Bourdelle, the early 20th-century sculptor who once lived and worked in the building.
Guerrée, known for his dedication to French craftsmanship and the decorative arts, has assembled a team of young contemporary artisans to realize his vision. The collaboration includes stained glass artist Sophie Toporkoff and seat carpenter Louis Monier, alongside established manufacturers such as Les Tissages de Charlieu and Fornace Brioni, an Italian specialist in terracotta work.
A Dialogue of Light and Form
The installation manifests as a thoughtful exploration of forms and materials that echo the rhythms and lines found in Bourdelle's sculptural work. In the museum's plaster cast hall, four screens constructed from stained glass and wood cast colored light reflections across a sculpture of a dying centaur, transforming the static artwork with ephemeral patterns of illumination.
Within the sculpture studio and extending into the inner garden, Guerrée has arranged an array of terracotta pieces including vases, catchalls, and other freeform objects. These contemporary works are displayed on a period farmhouse table, positioned alongside the matrices and molds that were used in their creation. This presentation choice deliberately exposes the creative process, inviting viewers to consider the technical foundations underlying finished artistic works.
Bridging Historical and Contemporary Craftsmanship
The exhibition represents more than aesthetic homage. By integrating modern craftsmanship techniques with historical context, Guerrée engages in what he describes as a skillful exploration into the memory of craftsmanship itself. The juxtaposition of old and new manufacturing methods, traditional and contemporary materials, creates layers of meaning that extend beyond visual appeal.
The installation demonstrates how design can function as a form of dialogue across time periods. Rather than merely displaying finished objects, "Contrepoint" reveals the connections between historical artistic practice and current creative production, emphasizing continuity in artisanal traditions even as techniques and aesthetics evolve.
