Mobi Boom: The Explosion of Design in France 1945–1975

through January 2 '11

Musée des Arts et Decoratifs
Paris

The current exhibition at Musée des Arts et Decoratifs, looks back at the 30 years following the Second World War and presents the fascinating changes and design innovations that came out of this period; designs which are still relevant today.

This period, now referred to as 'Les Trente Glorieuses' saw the rapid expansion of both production and consumption of design in France. 'Mobi Boom' documents the reconstruction of this period and the subsequent desire of the public to embrace all things Modern in a break from the past; showing how the rationalism of the fifties gave way to the utopian dreaming of the sixties and beyond. As the show demonstrates, these changes were heightened by a rapidly expanding media, as well as new materials such as plastic, foam, and formica, which revolutionised manufacture.

Together, these factors contributed to radical departures in form as well as function, creating objects and ideas which are commonplace today: modular and multi-functional furniture, coffee tables, storage units, sofa beds and other hybrid objects.

'Mobi Boom' features more than 150 creations by designers such as Guariche Pierre Joseph-André Motte, Alain Richard, Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouvé, Marcel Gascoin, Marc Held, Roger Tallon, Olivier and Pierre Paulin Mourgue. It also features broadcasters and publishers who helped shape this period; Roche Bobois, Roset, Airborne, Huchers Minvielle, Prisunic, International Furniture, TV Furniture, Steiner, Simon and Steph.

For more information visit Les Arts et Decoratifs

Top image is a detail from Catalogue Roche-Bobois, 1973

Publicité Roset, Bernard Govin, sièges Asmara, 1966

Christian Germanaz, fauteuils Half and Half, 1968

Catalogue Prisunic, Automne 1971

Publicités pour Knoll International, L’OEil, no 17,1956

Antoine Philippon & Jacqueline Lecoq, Meuble multifonctionnel, 1958-1959