Winter Show
February 13 - April 5, 2025
Inspired by the architecture and design of mid-20th-century European ski resorts, Winter Show showcases Demisch Danant’s recent acquisitions that blend mid-century leisure, modernism, and alpine luxury. Aprés-ski traditions and social gatherings gained prominence in the French Alps during the 1950s and were fueled by the post-war economic boom, advancements in transportation that made travel more affordable, and the rise of consumer culture through mass media, which advertised destinations to wide audiences via travel magazines and the growing popularity of television. In Winter Show, Demisch Danant welcomes visitors into the interiors of an era both singular and bygone, to explore our collection of French design from the 1950s to 1970s alongside contemporary pieces that share the same vision.
Informed by some of the interiors of La Plagne designed by Pierre Guariche and Les Arcs by Charlotte Perriand, the exhibition features works executed in pine and oak - local and modest materials which dominated many ski resorts of the period. On view for the first time at the gallery are works by French architect Christian Durupt, who worked closely with Perriand on several ski resorts, including one of her most notable, Méribel. Durupt’s pine tables and stools pair beautifully with oak pieces from Demisch Danant’s core designers, such as a Cabinet by René Gabriel and a Side Table by Gustave Gautier from a 1954 private commission. Other new acquisitions include a pair of Catamaran Armchairs by Christian Germanaz and a rare Sofa and Chair set by René-Jean Caillette, exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs in 1974.
Bernard Govin’s Elliptique Sofa is presented alongside a pair of 1954 Charron / Group 4 Armchairs by Joseph-André Motte in their original fabric, and a Vanity Desk by Louis Sognot from his bedroom display, which was awarded grand prize at the 1955 Salon des Arts Menagers.
An archival image of the gondola lift designed by Pierre Guariche for La Plagne ski resort in 1969 was selected to represent our Winter Show, and several models Guariche used in that project are featured in the exhibition, including pieces from the Aquilon series and 4 Faces Chairs.
As a counterbalance to the warmer wood tones, several works in metal and glass are also on view, including tables by Maria Pergay and a rare desk by Jean Dives. We are also proud to include two Stylnet Tables by Jacques Viénot, an architect and engineer, as well as a pioneer of French industrial design and founder of Technès.
As a through-line to the present day, Winter Show ties in contemporary lighting by Belgian ceramist, Jos Devriendt, selected cork and oak works from Made in Situ by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, and a stunning selection of rugs from Beni’s Chalet collection. Featuring expressionist interpretations of iconic Alpine emblems, each heritage-quality, hand-knotted wool rug can also be seen as emblematic of the emphasis on humble, local materials found in winter retreats, enhancing the camaraderie and lavish creature comforts of the après-ski.
Much like the old-world techniques of chalet-construction, the process of Moroccan rug-making speaks a language of sturdiness and longevity, says Beni co-founder Robert Wright, There’s an inarticulable allure to this kind of craftsmanship where memories are held in objects and spaces that persevere.