Usual Objects by Jean-Baptiste Durand

An artistic design exhibition that re-imagines domestic products.

Created by designer Jean-Baptiste Durand, the Usual Objects exhibition is anything but ordinary. The show’s name refers to the concept behind the designs, of re-interpreting ubiquitous objects as products with a distinctive personality and even human-like traits. The show draws inspiration from the book Gros-Câlin by Romain Gary and aims to focus on the familiarity of everyday items, albeit in an unusual way. The exhibition brings together several items, each with its own name, specific purpose, and imaginative features. Furniture and lighting appear alongside audio products as well as sculptural items.

The mysterious Larry light sculpture has a dynamic design, featuring a flexible led tube in a one-way mirror polygon casing. As the interior base moves constantly, the viewer can always admire a different angle of the sculpture. Fun and playful, Christine is a lamp, cuddly toy, and wall décor, all at the same time. It features a faux-fur material in a bright orange color as well as a flexible LED light. Sculptural and bold, the Ginger sofa offers four seating spaces. Its cantilevered design provides stability thanks to a fiberglass surface. Kim is a creative console table that features dark, sandblasted glass build and adjustable feet. On the top, the designer’s hand, molded in plaster, holds an indicator that shows if the unit stands perfectly flat. Two speakers named The Twins and the Pool plate inspired by skateboard parks and healthy eating habits complete the group. Photographs© Massimo Pessina.