The NARBUTAS Showroom in Paris Features an Art Project Promoting Sustainability
We will participate for the second time this year in France’s buzzing event, Paris Design Week, which will take place from 5 to 14 September along with the Maison&Objet trade show. For this occasion, the showroom is changing its look and invites you to see the artist Mathieu Wolniewicz’s works, created on old mirrors, transforming office spaces and promoting sustainability.
NARBUTAS is on the event map
Paris Design Week (PDW), a citywide celebration, informs visitors of the places that become part of the event. NARBUTAS has been included in the list of places to visit during Paris Design Week. In total, there are around 400 sites to visit in the city over the course of a nearly week and a half long event. The possibility of adding our showroom to an additional art itinerary is being considered at the moment.
“I think the collaboration with the artist makes our showroom an even more attractive part of Paris Design Week,” said Inga Lanchas, CEO of NARBUTAS FRANCE. “We hope that this integration of art into our showroom, its office spaces, will be noticed and appreciated by the architects, designers and other creators who come from all over France, Europe and the world for Maison&Objet and the accompanying Paris Design Week.”
M. Wolniewicz’s works will be displayed in four spaces of the NARBUTAS showroom. For example, the mirrors will adorn the supporting columns and the most sought-after NARBUTAS product – SILENT ROOM.
“Our showroom will feature a ‘fountain of mirrors’ where playful reflections of the sun will not only bring more light into the rooms, but also create a feeling of wonder in everyday life, while talking about the sustainability of our ecosystem. The mirrors will resemble a meadow, with flowers, butterflies and endangered bees painted on them,” I. Lanchas said, explaining the idea behind the installation.
Mirrors are given a second life through art
Part of M. Wolniewicz’s works are created on old or even very old mirrors. This gives new life to objects that are no longer used, but are interesting and have a story to tell. For example, one of the works created specially for NARBUTAS uses a mirror of an antique wardrobe dating back to 1902. It was purchased from Emmaüs France, an anti-poverty organisation that has been operating in France for over 70 years.
“Sustainability is one of NARBUTAS’ strategic directions, and thus we want to spread this message and its importance both through changes in our production process and finished products, as well as through the language of art,” said I. Lanchas.
The artist employs several different techniques – engraving and painting – on mirrors. “I sign my work ‘ma mi’, referring to magic mirrors, which, according to Wikipedia, belong to the world of wonders, have their own language, and can reveal unseen truths or deepest desires through their images,” said M. Wolniewicz.
His works are exhibited in France, Spain and the United Kingdom. M. Wolniewich has been awarded the Luxembourg Art Prize certificate three times for his merit to art.
The renewed showroom will welcome visitors to PDW’24
The NARBUTAS showroom, which moved into its new premises just last year, is also updating its furniture display for Paris Design Week. The showroom will have even more comfort-enhancing, ergonomic furniture, including the Q-ACTIVE sit-stand desk, which can be assembled in just 9 minutes, and a new, even more functional version of the ROUND Multipurpose desk. In addition, a highly anticipated product, the new SONUS acoustic pod, will be brought to Paris specially for PDW’24.
“The French pay particular attention to ergonomics and cosiness in the workplace. They try to make the workplace as much movement-friendly as possible, so sit-stand desks are an ideal solution. In France, employees can also work from home up to three days a week, which has led to an increase in the popularity of resimercial design in offices, combining commercial interiors with a homey feel,” said I. Lanchas about the changes in offices and our Paris showroom.
The NARBUTAS showroom is located near the Arc de Triomphe, at 20 Rue Brunel, 75017. The closest metro station to the showroom is Argentine.
M. Wolniewicz’s works will be exhibited at our Paris showroom for about a year.