From January 14–28, Christie’s Paris will host kreo: Icons of 21st-Century Design, an exhibition presenting landmark works produced by Galerie kreo over the past three decades.
Founded in 1999 by Clémence and Didier Krzentowski, and directed today together with their daughter Clara Krzentowski, Galerie kreo has become known as a laboratory for design — a space where leading designers are invited to experiment, take risks, and expand the boundaries of their discipline. Over time, the gallery has produced and exhibited works that have since entered the canon of contemporary design, many now housed in major museum collections.
As the world leader in the art, luxury, and design market, Christie’s has always maintained strong relationships with the disciplines and works of all eras it has encountered since its founding in 1766. With this exhibition, the focus turns to the most contemporary, demanding, and innovative creations of the century: in the space of thirty years, the pieces in the exhibition have already established themselves as milestones in the history of design and sketch out what tomorrow’s icons will be.
The exhibition brings together a constellation of these historic and emblematic pieces by Marc Newson, Hella Jongerius, Jasper Morrison, Konstantin Grcic, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Pierre Charpin, Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby, and many more. Seen together, they form a portrait of creation and dialogue, tracing the evolution of design at the turn of the 21st century.
Marc Newson has said: “I don’t think you can really underestimate the importance of Didier. He has been instrumental in the careers of many designers, including mine, with his gallery giving us the opportunity to work outside of strictly commercial or industrial projects. In many ways he exemplifies what is known as a patron. Didier has a freshness of vision and finds such joy in his métier—something that first struck me when I met him over 30 years ago and has not changed at all.”
This spirit of patronage has drawn the attention of both designers and collectors. From François Pinault, who has followed the work of many artists represented by the gallery since its early days, to remarkable collectors Marcel Brient, Azzedine Alaïa, and Karl Lagerfeld — the latter amassing more than 250 kreo works — Galerie kreo has long been a touchstone for those drawn to design.
kreo: Icons of 21st Century Design pays tribute to works born of freedom, research, and time — conditions increasingly rare in today’s accelerated creative landscape. By bringing them together, Christie’s Paris offers a moment to pause and reflect on design that, quietly and enduringly, has defined the present while pointing toward the future.
© Anna Buklovska // Christie’s France
© Nicolas Lafon // Christie’s France
