Guillaume Bardet's liturgical pieces for Notre-Dame embody rebirth and spirituality

The world watched in horror as flames devoured the iconic Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame in April 2019, resulting in the tragic collapse of its roof. Yet, from the ashes of this catastrophic fire emerged a unique opportunity for renewal and transformation. The Archdiocese of Paris faced an unprecedented challenge—to restore the cathedral to its former glory while also reimagining its role in the lives of both believers and non-believers. This endeavour marked a rare chance for a creative reset. The delicate balancing act between preserving Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris's unique liturgical significance and inviting tourists from across the world remained at the heart of the endeavour. The restoration process thus involved meticulous efforts to preserve and rebuild the cathedral's architectural details, including the iconic spire added in the 19th century by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. It is within this context that Guillaume Bardet's elegant furniture pieces for the Notre-Dame is designed.

Guillaume Bardet's project was chosen after an extensive selection process. Represented by Galerie Kreo, Bardet is known for his minimalist and thoughtful approach to furniture design. For Notre-Dame, he created five essential liturgical elements: the altar, ambo, cathedra with associated seats, tabernacle, and baptistery. Central to Bardet's designs was a desire to juxtapose tradition with innovation. His creative vision encompasses the fusion of the products' geometry with fluidity, to evoke a sense of timeless permanence and spiritual devotion. For this, the French designer, consistent with his expertise, turned to bronze as the primary material, which would add a graceful charm and lustre. "I wanted natural forms for a work on the immutable," Bardet said while describing his intention to create pieces that would leave a spiritual impression of contemplation and reverence.

Despite their solemn appearance, Bardet's designs hold a gentle and welcoming presence within the cathedral's sacred space. Each element bears its own symbolism and purpose, yet together, they form a cohesive ensemble that works in synchrony. Bardet's creations have been designed to exist not only within the realm of liturgy but also beyond it, neither demanding attention nor hiding away, possessing a subtle yet undeniable presence, adapting to the evolving spiritual needs of contemporary society. "The pieces should embody the essence of the past, embrace the present, and welcome the future," the designer explains. The ambo, with its iconic T-shaped form, symbolises freedom, while the baptistery is characterised by its traditional yet reemphasised circularity.

As years have passed, the meticulous work of restoration and revitalisation has continued, culminating in the announcement of the long-awaited reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in France to the public (in December 2024), which will feature these liturgical pieces.

(Text by Aatmi Chitalia, Intern at STIR)