"Imaginary paradises, an invitation to dream, a dive into the unconscious, humor, extravagance, the extraordinary, surprise, boldness, the exquisite corpse, a fresh perspective... and a space for freedom!"

Says Elizabeth Leriche, as she evokes the realms that surrealism brings to mind in a stream of associations that the movement's founders themselves would surely approve of.

It's this sense of freedom that Peclers highlights with its expert insights, while the Centre Pompidou* cements the historical significance of this movement with a sprawling, labyrinthine exhibition. "We wanted to explore surrealism through a much more contemporary lens... This ability to reintroduce wonder, to challenge the status quo, is an incredibly rich and fertile ground for imagining new forms of reality," explains Charlotte Cazals, Trend Forecaster at the agency, citing the example of Poor Things, the film by Yorgos Lanthimos, which won the Golden Lion at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. "Its powerful, fantastical aesthetic codes rest on a distorted reality, one that is both strangely familiar and deliciously unsettling. This distortion is a long-lasting creative tool, giving rise to realities less bound by societal conventions," she elaborates. It's an attitude that fuels today's contemporary creation, which allows itself to be intriguing, extravagant, and poetic. Elizabeth Leriche and her trend office are eager to explore the wildly imaginative visions that emerge as a necessary escape from "an anxiety-inducing reality." "I see this surrealist spirit still very much alive in today's aesthetics of collage — the layering, juxtaposing, and blending of elements," observes François Delclaux. Designers, decorators, and interior architects draw from a wide array of historical and artistic references, blending and combining them to create powerful, unique images with undeniable allure.

To discover these trends, visitors can look to the ever-rich and inspiring selections that Delclaux and Leriche will present in January at What’s New in Retail and What’s New in Decor respectively. They can also step into the colorful, disorienting world of Julien Sebban. After making a bold statement at the magnificent Hôtel de la Marine with Uchronia during the latest Paris Design Week, Maison&Objet has handed the founder of this vibrant creative collective the reins of the upcoming What’s New in Hospitality. The play on scale and contrast between the four-poster bed created for the September Paris event and the architecture of the Concorde Plaza building already played with our perceptions in a very... surrealist way.

As you explore the show, keep an eye out for anything that steps outside the norm, challenges, intrigues, or disrupts the senses. Be captivated, for instance, by Polspotten's dripping mirrors, which — as usual — push boundaries. "Our collection features bold, unconventional pieces. They're infused with a sense of wonder and challenge, transforming everyday objects into conversation starters — pieces that exist to provoke thought and imagination. They embody the spirit of surrealism, where nothing (and everything) is quite what it seems," explains Alex Tutuianu. The eerie, artisanal ceramic hands that cradle the latest Sonos audio headsets daringly affirm the vision of the Dutch brand's director. The pleated lampshades by Doing Goods blur boundaries with their identical bases and shades, while Bitossi’s accessories, plates, and dishes conjure visions of Alice herself preparing to sit down to a meal in this Italian Wonderland. The exaggeratedly rounded chairs by Yoomoota or Vintola's delightfully furry seats seem like joyful hybrids. The “collage” aesthetic described by François Delclaux comes to life in three dimensions in Klaus Dupont's precious objects, which embrace their surrealist heritage. At Malabar, the influence is proudly claimed. The Portuguese brand draws on artistic references for its collections. "Pieces like the Gala chair, the Galatea armchair, and the Madonna stool are inspired by this movement, and by Salvador Dalí's famous painting Galatea of the Spheres, which reflects Dalí's fascination with the atomic age," explains Leandra Silva, the brand’s marketing director.

Disruption, disorientation, poetry, and dreamlike visions not only fuel a fresh, unbridled creativity that Sur/Reality will spotlight, but they also should rekindle our curiosity and restore our appetite for risk, for dreaming, and for the unexpected.

*Surrealism at the Centre Pompidou, from September 4, 2024, to January 13, 2025