At the intersection of art, aesthetics, and poetry, The Banquet of Objects invites readers to indulge in a visual feast of art and decorative pieces that celebrate the joy of collecting and a deep love of nature. The "banquet" refers to objects and utensils used in the act of dining, especially those that highlight food and drink's connection to the natural world.
Spanning from the Art Nouveau period to the present, the collection features exquisite pieces such as vases, glasses, and plates by designers like Gallé, Christofle, and Lalanne, drawn from prestigious collections at the British Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Poet Ryoko Sekiguchi introduces the work, giving voice to the objects and shifting our perspective. Each piece is then meticulously described by curator Benjamin Loyauté.
Additional essays explore various topics, including Jean-Louis Gallemin’s manifesto on Art Nouveau and abstraction, Yves Élie’s reflections on the role of bees and honeycombs, and Laure Ménétrier’s exploration of how botany shapes the art of collecting.
280 pages, 160 colour illustrations, 21.6 x 15.2 cm.
