jean jullien's paper people land at le bon marché for book-themed exhibition in paris

Jean Jullien creates colossal sculptures at Le Bon Marché

Two gigantic sculptures by French artist Jean Jullien have landed at Le Bon Marché department store in Paris, as part of the book-themed exhibition Mise en Page. Curated by Sarah Andelman, former Colette image director and publisher of Just An Idea Books, the exhibition runs from February 24 to April 21, 2024, and explores the realm of books, libraries, and all things related to the written word.

Jullien’s works portray two blue paper people: one engrossed in a book, while the other extends its wiggly arms towards the balconies of the building. The artist’s playful illustrations also adorn the café within the department store, featuring vibrant colors, larger-than-life books, and whimsical faces that fill the space. This immersive shop-exhibition experience was realized with the collaboration of Phamily First agency and the Korean brand NouNou.

one of the gigantic sculptures by Jean Jullien | all images courtesy of Jean Jullien

playful paper people enrich sarah andelman’s exhibition

For the Mise en Page exhibition, Sarah Andelman (find more here) invites Jean Jullien (find more here) and his Paper People sculptures to transform Le Bon Marché (find more here). Having journeyed from Tokyo to Seoul, Brussels, and across France to Nantes and Carnoët, Jullien’s characters now grace Paris, embodying the celebration of books. The imaginative staging enlivens the exhibition, bringing grand, thought-provoking, and playful creations to life in store windows and interiors. Meanwhile, Jullien’s 2D illustrations adorn the second floor within the dedicated space for the NouNou brand (find more here) and the café-grocery store developed with Phamily First (find more here). 

Each part of the exhibition offers a different narrative. The ground floor hosts renowned bookstores from around the world, showcasing their branded merchandise. Additionally, exceptional collaborations with publishers and book enthusiasts enrich the experience. On the second floor of the exhibition, Sarah Andelman presents a section called Just an Idea Books and Friends, featuring five new books alongside the 17 previously published in her collection since 2021.

one of the blue paper people is engrossed in a book

the sculptures bring Jean Jullien’s 2D illustrations to life

the other paper person extends its wiggly arms towards the balconies of the building

Jullien’s characters now grace Paris, embodying the celebration of books

the towering sculpture spans the entire height of the building

Jean Jullien’s characters add a mischievous, playful character to the department store

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project info: 

exhibition name: Mise en Page
curated by: Sarah Andelman | @sarahandelman
artist: Jean Jullien | @jean_jullien
location: Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, Paris
dates: February 24 – April 21, 2024