Paulin Paulin Paulin x Christo and Jeanne Claude x Parley
A symbol of creative reuse made from the ropes of L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (1961-2021)
Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s monumental public artwork L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (1961–2021) was unveiled in Paris on September 18th, 2021. On the second anniversary of the ephemeral work’s debut, we announced that we would be giving new life to the materials used, taking the 25,000 square meters of silvery blue polypropylene fabric and 3,000 meters of red polypropylene rope and transforming them into something that can carry a message of positive change.
In collaboration with Paulin Paulin Paulin and Christo and Jean-Claude, Parley proudly presents a limited-edition Pierre Paulin Chirac Sofa, inspired by the original sofa created for Paris City Hall in 1988. This collectible design piece is crafted using repurposed materials from L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, 1961–2021, featuring its signature red polypropylene ropes reimagined into a powerful symbol of creative reuse.
The collaborative sofa was first presented in the Parley Booth in the Collectors Lounge at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024. It will be on view and for sale at Design.Space LA, March 29-30, 2025.
To inquire about purchasing, please contact the Parley Art Team.
Images courtesy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
On the significance of the collaboration, Benjamin Paulin, associate founder, Paulin, Paulin, Paulin, explained: “Bringing together the legacy of Pierre Paulin and Christo means uniting two pioneering visions: sustainable design rooted in utility and form, and ephemeral art that transcends materials and public spaces. With the support of Parley for its transformation, we are repurposing the red rope from the Arc de Triomphe to upholster the Chirac sofa, creating a dialogue between material and poetic memory, between innovation and responsibility.”
“A constant commitment of Christo and Jeanne-Claude since the early 1960s for every project was to recycle all the materials used," said Vladimir Yavachev, project director of L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, and Christo's nephew. “We are now giving L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped a second life with the help of our different creative partners and we are proud that the benefits of this collaboration between Parley and Paulin Paulin Paulin will contribute to the preservation of the oceans. In a similar vein, we will continue upcycling the artwork, through projects to be announced shortly.”
ABOUT PIERRE PAULIN
From the 1960s onward, Pierre Paulin established himself as one of the first designers to address the issue of leftovers in a practice that seamlessly combines functionality and environmental responsibility. A quintessential example of this approach is the Blub-Blub, an ingenious modular seating system designed to be upholstered with varied textiles, exclusively selected from leftover materials in the workshop. This process not only anticipates contemporary principles of circular design but also exemplifies Paulin’s visionary approach, where material constraints and creativity coexist in harmony.
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