A façade by Daniel Buren in the heart of the Marais in Paris

To celebrate its 170th anniversary, Rougier&Plé will unveil, starting September 19th, a new façade designed by the artist Daniel Buren for its historic boutique on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, Paris III.

About

Rougier&Plé, a brand synonymous with creativity and modernity, dedicated to 'sharing the joy of understanding, learning, and creating together,' will unveil a new façade designed by Daniel Buren  for its historic building in the Marais starting next autumn. This remarkable transformation will be visible to all and will enhance the cultural significance of the Marais in Paris.

An artist – a project

Buren, In situ

Daniel Buren (born in 1938), a prominent French artist – painter, sculptor, and installation artist – of our time, is also one of the most internationally recognized figures. Many are unaware of the depth, originality, and creativity of his work. He has received numerous awards, including the Golden Lion for the best pavilion at the Venice Biennale (1986), the International Award for Best Artist in Stuttgart (1991), and the Premium Imperiale for painting in Tokyo (2007). Daniel Buren plays with the economy of means employed and the relationship between background and form, always mindful of the specific site for which his work is designed.

His work "In Situ," created for the iconic Rougier&Plé store façade on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, utilized his distinctive "visual tool." It consists of alternating vertical stripes, white and colored, 8.7 cm wide, harmoniously juxtaposed alongside colored windows. For Daniel Buren, "this transformation of the welcoming space can be done for, against, or in harmony with the site [...]. Even in this case, there is a transformation of the site, even if the most transformed entity happens to be the transforming agent. Thus, there are always two 'transformants' at work: the tool upon the site and the site upon the tool, exerting varying degrees of influence on each other. The result is always the transformation of the site by the tool and access to the tool's meaning through its use in and by the specific site."

The In Situ project represents an opportunity for Rougier&Plé to rediscover its historic space. The artist's work and project are entirely funded by the company, allowing it to fully engage in the architectural evolution of the site while maintaining fidelity to its historical roots. Thus, In Situ consistently enhances the coherence of this ensemble of independent buildings: balancing architecture and uniting through art.

The project offers a fresh perspective on the atypical and historical form of the location, particularly  its "central house," integrating into the rhythmically coherent vertical facades of the boulevard, and remaining a uniquely inspiring space open to all.