Loafing around

Take an idle stroll through the Hermès exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery

The Hermès Wanderland exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery is a whimsical ode to flânerie, the art or urban wandering first coined in 19th century Paris. “Wanderland draws its coherence from two intrinsic elements of la flânerie: dreaming and freedom of spirit,” says Bruno Gaudichon, curator of La Piscine-Musée d'Art et d'Industrie in Roubaix, who has put together this spectacle for the veritable French fashion house.

He collaborated with acclaimed set designer Hubert le Gall to create a magical Paris-inspired setting for visitors set across 11 rooms. The exhibition plunges you into a series of surreal mixed media art installations including a café of lost objects, a covered passage and a picturesque square, all the while reveling in a fanciful mixture of images and sounds from talking floor panels to films within teacups.

Also on show are rare objects from the Hermès archive, including a bike, a bag, a travel writing case and a watch – all essential items for the true flâneur.

The exhibition runs until 2 May. 

saatchigallery.com/hermeswanderland

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