HERMÈS CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF SURREALISM AND THE FAUBOURG
Natalie Shook, principal of the multidisciplinary design studio Piscina, unveils a series of window displays for Hermèsstores in cities across the US, celebrating both the centennial of the Faubourg and the 100th anniversary of the French poet André Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto. Shook’s installations combine her signature Ledoux Shelving system, rooted in Neoclassical design, with playful figures inspired by the Surrealist game Exquisite Corpse. The Ledoux Shelving, with its clean lines and solid cherry wood construction, evokes the grand columns and harmonious forms of Neoclassical architecture, echoing the design language of Hermès’ Parisian flagship. At the same time, the abstract, surreal figures built upon this foundation bring the spontaneity and unpredictability of Surrealism to life.
all images courtesy of Piscina | image by Darren Higgins
SURREALIST EXQUISITE CORPSE INSPIRES PISCINA’S WINDOW DISPLAYS
Piscina’s shelving, named after 18th-century architect Claude Nicolas Ledoux, works as the structure and canvas for imaginative and abstract forms that reflect Hermès’ balance of tradition and innovation. The New York-based practice captures the brand’s ability to honor its heritage through this fusion while embracing contemporary artistic expression. Inspired by the Exquisite Corpse game, where participants collectively create a figure without knowing what the others have drawn, the abstract characters introduce a sense of whimsy and surprise, reflecting the unconventional creativity that Surrealism championed in the early 20th century.
Natalie Shook, principal of Piscina, has created a series of window displays for Hermès
NEOCLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE CONTRASTS WITH DREAMLIKE FORMS
A blend of Neoclassical order and Surrealist disruption creates a dialogue between two seemingly contrasting worlds. The shelving’s structured, historical aesthetic provides a grounding element, while the surreal figures disrupt it, exploring the intersection of past and present. ‘Neoclassical architecture and Surrealism, while seemingly opposites, share a unique relationship,’ says Shook. ‘Both rely on tension and recontextualization. Neoclassicism is all about order and balance, while Surrealism distorts and disrupts, often using familiar forms in strange and unexpected ways. With the Hermès windows, I wanted to highlight this interplay, creating a visual journey that reflects the evolution of both art and design.’
Shook’s installations, on view through October, invite passersby to engage with this artistic dialogue, offering a reflection on the evolution of art, design, and cultural history. By juxtaposing Neoclassical architecture with the dreamlike forms of Surrealist art, the displays celebrate a century of Hermès, paying homage to the transformative cultural currents that have shaped Paris.
celebrating the centennial of the store and the Surrealist Manifesto | image by Tommy Shih
Shook’s installations combine her signature Ledoux Shelving system, rooted in Neoclassical design
the playful figures are inspired by the Surrealist game Exquisite Corpse
Ledoux Shelvin, evokes the grand columns and harmonious forms of Neoclassical architecture
surreal figures bring the spontaneity and unpredictability of Surrealism to life
Piscina’s shelving is named after 18th-century architect Claude Nicolas Ledoux
Piscina captures the brand’s ability to honor its heritage | image by Tommy Shih
the abstract characters introduce a sense of whimsy and surprise
reflecting the unconventional creativity that Surrealism championed in the early 20th century
the blend of Neoclassical order and Surrealist disruption creates a dialogue between contrasting worlds