To mark Paris Design Week 2024, Casamance has partnered the innovators at Univers Uchronia to create a unique art installation. This collaborative piece, on display at the Cour d’Honneur of the Hôtel de la Marine from 5th to 22nd September, adapts the rules of traditional design to suit the contemporary world.
The focal point of this collaboration is a stunning four-poster bed called “DAY BED” inspired by the famous beds of the Stewards of the Hôtel de la Marine. Historically, these beds represented prestige and power, often serving as a centre-piece during official ceremonies. Today, Univers Uchronia has reused this classic piece of French furniture, transforming it into a large-scale, contemporary work of art. With an undisputedly modern approach, this installation brings to life a piece of furniture, once such an integral part of royal occasions, by placing it in a modern context. The four-poster bed once again becomes a public stage where we can admire the rich drapes, the headboard and bedspread, specially made by Casamance.
To dress the four-poster bed, Univers Uchronia selected the Casamance In & Outdoor West Bay fabric collection. This very colourful collection is characterised by its exceptional durability, making it the ideal choice for a piece displayed outside where natural light, moisture and other elements can put materials to the test. The curtains on the four bedposts are made using the collection’s eponymous design: West Bay in Magenta/Ochre and Turquoise/Green. These polypropylene jacquards feature a subtle herringbone pattern suggesting ocean currents. The shades are obtained by alternating yarns creating a dynamic and captivating visual effect to echo the depth of the oceans.
The installation also includes two drapes made using the Akumal design, in the complementary Garence and Ochre colourways. The geometric pattern of these fabrics, woven using a white warp yarn and a decorative polypropylene weft yarn, gives the drapes remarkable depth, thereby adding a supplementary dimension to the overall effect. The bedspread and headboard are made from Topaz Blue CAORI. The distinctive soft texture and delicate pattern of this fabric combine a natural look with contemporary sophistication to complete the piece harmoniously.
This collaboration between Casamance and Univers Uchronia is not only a reinterpretation of history but also an opportunity to escape. The West Bay fabrics capture the spirit of seascapes in shades that suggest travel and exploration. Each part of the installation, from the choice of colours to the fabrics’ textures contributes to the creation of a unique ambiance, where tradition and modernity come together at the heart of Paris Design Week.
@Felix Dol Maillot
