matali crasset: le blobterre de matali at centre pompidou, paris

matali crasset: le blobterre de matali
centre pompidou, paris, france
on now through march 5, 2012

'le blobterre de matali' installation at centre pompidou, paris 
image © simon bouisson


the realization of an imaginary world, 'le blobterre de matali' by french designer matali crasset transforms
the children's gallery of the centre pompidou into a site for entertainment and exploration. the main purpose
of the space is to break away from the logics that govern everyday life and rediscover discovery itself.
the artificial landscape is an experimentation area dedicated to creativity, as visitors are encouraged
to immerse themselves not only in the new structures, but also the smells and sounds devised especially
for blobterre.

the neo-vegetation playground hybrid is both primitive and artificial, as it is based on organic forms,
yet stays away from the biological itself. each system of shapes, or 'extratoofs' has its own miniature
zone inside, allowing you to investigate one after another. crasset was joined in the creative process
of coming up with the pods by students at the high school of art and design in geneva.  



view of exhibition from lobby of centre pompidou
image © simon bouisson


when it came to bringing the vision to life, it was a collaborative process. the tapestry was woven by
domeau & pérès, a french team whose work often unites with crasset's. tarkett, an international flooring
company based in france, supplied the flooring. the metal structures themselves were created by blachère.
the fabric, made by LMA alitecno was then transformed by procéde chenel into hanging sculptures.
other contributors include HI life, viriato, danese, pallucco, confort mousse and sphère.



exploratory spaces
image © simon bouisson



detail
image © simon bouisson



artificial garden
image © simon bouisson



'extratoof'
image © simon bouisson



exploring the space
image © simon bouisson



creation of atmosphere
image © simon bouisson



transformation of space through unique structures
image © simon bouisson



view of pods and hanging elements
image © simon bouisson



view of experimental structure
image © simon bouisson



sounds created for installation
image © simon bouisson



'big leaf' carpet by nodus under metal dome structure
image © simon bouisson



odors created by firmenich for exhibition
image © simon bouisson


one particular extratoof connects a tubular dome structure with a large area rug, a collaboration
between nodus, an italian company focusing on high end carpet design, and matali crasset. the 'big leaf'
is a large, circular bed with hand knotted wool ribs extending beyond the carpet itself, complete with
fringed edges. in the installation, this rope is attached to the structure, and defines the space. special scents
created by firmenich, a swiss fragrance company, are absorbed into the fibers, one of four perfumes
created for the exhibition.



'big leaf' limited edition carpet by matali crasset and nodus
image courtesy of matali crasset

top view
image courtesy of matali crasset



detail of carpet
image courtesy of matali crasset



sketch of 'extratoof' with 'big leaf' rug underneath
image courtesy of matali crasset



'le blobterre' video by matali crasset