Five weeks before the Paris Olympics, India Mahdavi and Harry Nuriev team up to offer a ping-pong game.
In the hands of the two creatives, a ping pong hall becomes more than an indoor sport. Mahdavi has welcomed Nuriev, the multidisciplinary artist and founder of design firm Crosby Studios, to collaborate in her Project Room gallery for the 14th edition: 'Match Point'.
Ping Pong in Paris: Match Point by Harry Nuriev in India Mahdavi's Project Room
Nuriev transformed the 28-square-meter space on Paris' Left Bank into a silver table tennis room by covering the table, including the net, with metallic paint. It is combined with matching silver-plated rackets and stainless steel legs. The walls, floor and curtain are also reflective. For 'Match Point, Nuriev also created rackets in polished stainless steel (not for playing but as decorative objects).
The installation may have aspects of a showroom with a kitchen unit, an art presentation or a space shuttle about to depart, but is functional. The public is invited to participate. Players can feel like they are bots in a video game. Nuriev says: 'Playing at Match Point is like being part of the digital world.'
“Project Room is a place of free expression for designers and curators,” explains Mahdavi. 'The whole idea is to connect a design community with the public. As a designer and scenographer, Harry does this in a fantastic way and attracts the community.
'Project Room also has a relationship with domesticity, I mean, something you can do at home.' In that sense, and as a nod to the upcoming Olympic Games, ping pong was the perfect choice. She points to the gallery's large window and adds: 'Here I like that people can look inside. It's not just an image. It is people-oriented.'
Mahdavi is known for its colorful furniture and tableware, which offer a variety of textures. While Nuriev prefers a monochromatic universe, with silver as its signature. His latest celebrated designs include the bookshelf and bookends for Mise En Page at Le Bon Marché and the set design for a pop-up restaurant produced by We Are Ona (all composed exclusively of stainless steel).
Despite certain differences, both designers are playful. Nuriev says: 'We met a few months ago and immediately found chemistry. I didn't just want to bring my world. Instead, I responded to the Indian world. It was like ping-pong.' This metaphor is shared by Mahdavi and she adds: 'Ping pong is the interactivity between two parts. It's a good way to see how creative people play with each other and show how they create. You throw an idea and it comes back with a bouncing ball.”
In the beginning he saw the gaming table as a design element. She then philosophically focused on togetherness. 'People often come together around the table and exchange ideas.' Their visions emerged naturally, without any intense struggle.
When Nuriev says that his idea is to transform one into the other, Mahdavi responds enthusiastically. 'Transformism tells how you can put a different vision on existing objects. Harry's spontaneity and humor give a new perspective on everyday objects.'
Playing at 'Match Point' is free on a first-come, first-served basis until August 2, 2024
Project space ~
Rue De Bellechasse 29
75007 Paris