Didier and Clemence Krzentowski: The Untouchable Apartment

(adam štěch) The Parisian Galerie Kreo is really busy this month. Aside from presenting a solo exhibition of Hella Jongerius (in which the Dutch designer shows her new and unique furniture and accessory creations), gallery owners Didier and Clemence Krzentowski are exhibiting their collection of designs in La Galerie des Galeries in the renowned Galeries Lafayette under the mysterious title Today More Than Yesterday and Less Than Tomorrow.

Didier Krzentowski currently ranks among iconic figures of design that have shifted its limits without having created a single design themselves. His Galerie Kreo, where he has been exhibiting experimental furniture, lights, and accessories for ten years, has provoked many new perspectives in contemporary design. Over the course of time, he and his wife Clemence have created a huge collection of both historical and contemporary design objects. A part of this collection is being presented to public in the form of a fascinating apartment. 164 objects are exhibited in 7 different parts of a hypothetical apartment – from the living room to the bedroom.

The exhibition shows real, unique objects that make up the cream of designer society. Designs by Marc Newson are placed in the vicinity of objects by Pierre Paulin, Sergio Asti, Gino Sarfatti, designs from Droog company, and many other objects commissioned by Galerie Kreo from various designers. The concept sums up the experimental approach of Didier Krzentowski, who often perceives his gallery as a lab. The exhibition paradoxically presents objects that are developed by this “lab” in a classical apartment. It is as if the gallery design symbolically returned to ordinary life. However, this view is only superficial. Krzentowski’s apartment is shrouded in an aura of uniqueness. Thus, an interior design that is exhibited as a precious work of art has been created. Life with design has been shifted to an untouchable level.

This article was written by, Adam Štěch, a Dolce Vita editor.

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