Maison&Objet 2025: Sur/Reality Theme Explores New Dimensions of Surrealism
Paris, January 16-20, 2025 – maison-objet.com

In January 2025, Maison&Objet, in collaboration with Peclers Paris, will showcase the theme Sur/Reality, drawing inspiration from a renewed wave of surrealism. This concept plays with fantasy, distortion, randomness, humor, and poetry to create innovative, unexpected design landscapes that are both captivating and desirable. In today’s chaotic world, these dreamlike visions offer an escape into alternate realities, full of originality, eccentricity, and joy. The theme invites visitors to disconnect from the ordinary and embrace the strange and the surprising.

From Surrealism to Sur/Reality

A century after the birth of Surrealism, its creative legacy remains a potent influence. While Sur/Reality celebrates the work of iconic figures like René Magritte and Salvador Dalí, it brings their aesthetic into the contemporary world. The unreal and absurd continue to fuel creativity, using dreamlike visuals that connect more with emotions and the unconscious than with logic. The concept emphasizes a contemporary reimagining of Surrealism, blending the fantastic with the current digital age, and inviting exploration through AI-driven randomness and creative freedom.

Distorting Reality to Reinvent It

The theme also references the distorted realities in modern works, such as Yorgos Lánthimos’s film Poor Things, which blends unsettling yet familiar aesthetics. Sur/Reality uses these distortions to create playful, extraordinary new worlds, unconstrained by societal norms. For instance, the French brand LiveHorn merges high-tech speakers with retro phonograph designs to make a bold statement about sound.

Exploring the Abnormal and the Strange

Philippe Starck’s exploration of pataphysics—an imaginary science admired by Surrealists—demonstrates how questioning reality can inspire creative breakthroughs. Other brands, like Seletti, combine Surrealism with poetry and humor, as seen in their playful creations like a window-shaped lamp reminiscent of Magritte. These objects defy convention, using whimsical designs to provoke new ways of thinking.

The Digital and Surreal

In today’s digital era, tools like Midjourney and AI-powered software are reinventing “automatic writing” and surreal dreams. Artists such as Pilar Zeta bring the surreal into tangible reality by blending virtual and physical worlds in home décor. This fusion of digital exploration and surreal aesthetics offers new ways to reimagine our surroundings.

Poetry and Playfulness in Everyday Objects

With Sur/Reality, everyday objects take on new life, adding poetry and delight to the mundane. Designers break free from practical constraints to create pieces that evoke daydreams, from Bordallo Pinheiro’s whimsical ceramics to Jonathan Adler’s surreal cloud-shaped furniture. These objects invite a playful reimagining of the world, offering an escape from the ordinary into the fantastic.

Faye Toogood: Designer of the Year 2025

Faye Toogood has been named Designer of the Year at Maison&Objet 2025. The British designer blends art and everyday life to transform our environments with her eclectic, poetic, and avant-garde approach. Toogood’s work, which spans both fashion and design, will be prominently featured in the upcoming show.

Surprise and Dreamlike Customer Experiences

The Sur/Reality theme extends to retail and hospitality experiences, where surprise is often created through playful distortions of scale, proportions, and absurdity. Examples include the new Camper store in London with a giant foot, or the whimsical displays at the Hermès store, designed by Joann Tan Studio, which feature surreal elements like a shiny mouth and floating clouds.

Hospitality with a Theatrical Twist

In hospitality, Sur/Reality encourages a mix of luxury and anti-conformist theatrics. Turkish brand Kaimakk, for instance, creates astonishing environments with futuristic pastries and deceptive décor. Meanwhile, London’s Café Prada juxtaposes romantic and fantastical elements in a striking interior that blends bold geometric patterns with dramatic architectural features.

Innovating Hospitality Spaces: Julien Sebban’s New Colours
Julien Sebban, founder of the Uchronia collective, will bring his innovative perspective to the What’s New? In Hospitality section, showcasing how design can create immersive, all-encompassing experiences for the modern hospitality industry.

A Vision of the Future

Maison&Objet’s partnership with Peclers Paris continues to explore evolving consumer expectations, uncovering new trends that will shape the design and lifestyle sectors. Through curated selections and inventive scenographies, the show will highlight how surrealist influences are reshaping contemporary creation. The Sur/Reality theme will run through the entire event, offering inspiration and a chance to explore alternate realities, both physical and digital.

About Maison&Objet

Since 1994, Maison&Objet has been a leading global platform for the decoration, design, and lifestyle industries. It brings together professionals from around the world to discover new trends, products, and ideas. Maison&Objet offers a space for inspiration, networking, and business growth through its physical and digital events, including the MOM (Maison&Objet and More) platform, which connects buyers and brands year-round.

For more information, visit maison-objet.com.