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Sur/Reality - New Creative Horizons
From 16 to 20 January 2025, Paris will once again be the protagonist with Maison&Objet, the international interior design and decoration fair, which this year presents itself with an inspiring and visionary theme: Sur/Reality. In collaboration with Peclers Paris, the event explores the rebirth of a new Surrealism, a creative movement that celebrates fantasy, the unexpected and originality.
We wanted to take a much more contemporary approach to Surrealism by interrogating its explosion into multiple modes of expression and looking far beyond the centenary celebrations. This capacity to reintroduce a fantastic element and shake up the established order is an extremely rich and fertile starting point for imagining new forms of reality, and Sur/Reality reveals new readings of this universe.
In an era marked by complexity and chaos, Sur/Reality feeds on distortions, chance and poetry to propose alternative realities that, with their eccentric charm, know how to amaze and enchant. Maison&Objet is not just a showcase for the latest trends, but a real journey into imaginative landscapes where design and dream meet, giving life to productions that are as extraordinary as they are desirable. It is an invitation to suspend everyday reality and immerse yourself in a world of wonders that promise to leave their mark. Surrealism, born exactly a century ago, continues to be one of the most influential and stimulating forces in the creative landscape. The Sur/Reality theme of this edition of Maison&Objet is not only a tribute to masters such as Magritte and Dalí, but also a contemporary reinterpretation of their aesthetic processes and languages.
THE ABNORMAL AND THE STRANGE: OPENING THE DOOR TO DISCOVERYThe allure of the abnormal and the strange lies in their power to expand the boundaries of creativity and spark new discoveries. This principle was masterfully illustrated by Philippe Starck, a selfdescribed paraphysicist, who explored the “science of imaginary solutions” cherished by the Surrealists. At an exhibition in Paris, Starck posed the thought-provoking question: What if the Seine were a lake? This unconventional perspective transformed an ordinary river into a source of boundless urban reinvention. By deliberately distorting reality, blending opposites, and bypassing the constraints of logic, Starck demonstrated how innovative formal languages can emerge. These languages are characterized by what he calls “delightful disorder,” a chaos that captivates and inspires.
Italian design brand Seletti embodies a similar ethos, pushing boundaries through provocation, poetic interpretation, and playful engagement with Surrealist codes. Among its iconic creations, the AtticWindow Lamp stands out a luminous sculpture resembling a window a serene blue sky.
Poetic designs invite us to pause and daydream, while mischievous creations add joy and humor to everyday life This playful spirit represents a liberation in the design process, breaking free from rigid rationality and shifting away from technology’s utilitarian constraints. Instead, these creations cater to our innate desire for escapism, acting as bridges between the mundane and the extraordinary. For example, Bordallo Pinheiro’s containers as cabbages, walnuts, or papayas, they turn the familiar into something extraordinary, elevating everyday dining into a sensory experience. Similarly, the cocktail glasses from &Klevering feature twisted stems that distort reality even before the first sip, introducing a surreal touch to any gathering.
MULTIDIMENSIONAL JOURNEY THROUGH MAISON&OBJETThe theme of Sur/Reality will unfold across multiple dimensions at Maison&Objet, offering a rich tapestry of interpretations tailored to inspire professionals in the design industry. Central to this exploration are the three exclusive What’s New? exhibitions: In Decor, In Retail, and In Hospitality. These curated spaces, designed as immersive experiences, will feature original stage designs and carefully selected new products. The goal? To equip brands, retailers, and specifiers with the creative tools needed to make retail ranges distinctive and elevate the success of interior design projects. Each of the three professions is supported by a dedicated programme, reflecting the unique challenges and opportunities they face. The topic Sur/Reality will serve as a unifying thread running through the entire show, thoughtfully staged by Maison&Objet’s curators and enriched by the Talks programme. This immersive approach extends beyond the event itself, infiltrating the broader Maison&Objet ecosystem. From curated selections on the MOM platform to the dynamic Paris In The City events, Sur/Reality will permeate every facet of the experience, offering endless variations and interpretations of this singular theme. These initiatives reflect Maison&Objet’s commitment to fostering creativity and supporting its partners. By weaving together inspiration, innovation, and commerce, the event empowers businesses to stay ahead of trends and harness the power of design as a driver for success. This multifaceted approach ensures that every participant whether a brand, retailer, or designer can find fresh perspectives and valuable insights to inform their work.
Together with Peclers Paris, we are continuing our work both to decipher consumer expectations in an ever -changing context and to identify tangible stylistic trends that will generate new business. Inspiration, curation, and solutions remain the virtuous triad that shapes the interpretation of the theme at the show, through a carefully curated selection of products and innovative scenographies.
DESIGNER OF THE YEARMaison&Objet is proud to present Faye Toogood as the Designer of the Year 2025, celebrating her remarkable contributions to the design world. Renowned as an iconic figure in British design, Toogood’s polymorphic approach transcends disciplines, blending art, interior design, furniture, and fashion with a unique creative language.
BELIEVING IN THE POWER OF THE MINDFaye Toogood refuses to limit herself to a single form of creative expression - design, fashion, sculpture, drawing, and interior decoration all serve as outlets for her boundless imagination Raised in the tranquil English countryside, free from the distractions of television and immersed in the beauty of the natural world, Toogood has always been captivated by the power of the mind. Her debut collection, Assemblage 1, was a tribute to simplicity, focusing on raw materials and English craftsmanship. This collection embodied Toogood's ethos of sculpting shapes that speak to the tactile quality of materials, celebrating the inherent beauty of the natural world. The Roly-Poly chair, a curved seat on four sturdy legs, brought Toogood worldwide recognition in 2014. Its success marked a pivotal moment in her career, solidifying her place in the global design scene.
Give them pieces of a puzzle and let them figure it out. Creativity is at the heart of who we all are, where we come from and who we could be one day.
RISING TALENT AWARDSFor the 2025 edition, Maison&Objet turns its spotlight to South Korea, a nation at the forefront of a cultural renaissance Riding the wave of ‘hallyu’ - Korea’s celebrated cultural ‘soft power’ - the peninsula has become a magnet for creative talent and a hub of global innovation. Renowned for its seamless blend of ancient tradition and cutting-edge modernity, Korea offers a uniquely dynamic environment that continues to inspire and shape the world of design. This vibrant creative landscape is fueled by a compelling interplay between heritage and futurism. International architects and designers flock to Korea to explore its rich cultural tapestry, while homegrown talents reinterpret traditional crafts with bold originality. The new generation of Korean designers is reimagining ancestral techniques and materials, skillfully navigating the paradoxes of Western influence and their own deeply rooted cultural identity Their work pushes the boundaries between art and design, often erasing the lines entirely, resulting in creations that feel both timeless and avant-garde.
The languages they weave are marked by an assertive futurism, refined originality and a reinvention of sculptural techniques. Moreover, our daily lives are fuelled by this giant of industrial and technological innovation Finally, even if the Korean creative scene is recognised today, we still have much to discover.
By choosing South Korea as the focal point for the 2025 Rising Talents Awards, Maison&Objet acknowledges the nation’s role as a powerhouse of cultural innovation. This year’s honorees exemplify the aesthetic and conceptual depth emerging from the region, making it clear that South Korea is not just a participant in the global design narrative it is shaping its future.
