Carpet Diem in Paris

A three-day rug exhibition this November 

A maze is set to land at Espace Commines in Paris this autumn, with a rug around every corner. Carpet Diem is the latest exhibition envisaged, curated and organised by Paris based Italian Francesco Pirrello, with scenography by Hervé Sauvage. Some of the industry’s most creative rug brands are involved—among them cc-tapis, Reuber Henning, Knots Rugs, nanimarquina, Volver, Toulemonde Bochart and Zollanvari. But there are lesser-known names there too, such as Francesco Lo Castro, Martine Dupuis, Sibylle de Tavernost, Meghan Spielman and Laura Niubó.

‘I love rugs,’ Pirrello exclaims, ‘and I think they are a little forgotten. I wanted to present twenty to thirty brands and independent artists together, providing them with equal visibility. Only one or three rugs will be presented by each one, and every piece will be one of the best they have to offer, though this is subjective of course. Hung on walls like paintings, they will play the role of main characters, rather than accessories, and will be discovered one by one as viewers move through a labyrinth construction.’ Many of the rugs will be on show for the first time.

Pirrello is well placed to orchestrate this event as his experience and speciality has lain in exhibition design and in connecting artists and designer makers with the market. Having previously worked at a photography magazine, in 2010 he founded Meet My Project, a ‘cutting-edge design exhibition’ held during the Salone Del Mobile, which showcased furniture prototypes. Then, in 2018, he launched 1000 Vases—which now has a significant Instagram following—exhibiting ceramic and in glass vases during Paris, Milan and Dubai’s Design Weeks.

Taking place on 10-12 November, Carpet Diem is scheduled to coincide with Paris Photo. The plan is to make it an annual event, taking place in different cities worldwide and coinciding with other events with a crossover clientele of interior designers, collectors and galleries looking to source high-end art and design pieces.