Idem Paris, a Parisian printing workshop that has been operating since the time of Picasso and Matisse, and the adjacent gallery, Item Editions.
We will be exhibiting and selling 34 carefully selected edition works from both labels' collections, showcasing their history and the creative activities of numerous renowned artists.

Founded in 1881 by mapmaker Émile Dufresnoy, "Idem Paris" operated as an art studio in the heart of Paris's Montparnasse district until World War II. The studio houses a lithographic printing press used by Fernand Mourlot, who collaborated with 20th-century masters such as Matisse, Picasso, Miró, Chagall, Braque, and Giacometti, and continues the tradition of lithographic printing to this day.

Known as a true "dream workshop," it continues to preserve its press machines and working environment, which have a history of over 100 years.

In the 1990s, current owner Patrice Forest took over the studio and renamed it "Idem Paris." A new generation of contemporary artists, including Sophie Calle, JR, Izumi Kato, William Kentridge, Paul McCarthy, and Raymond Pettibon, continue to create their works in this space.

Statement

Artist
[Idem Paris]

Akira Minagawa

Thoughts on Idem Paris

"For me, idem is both a place of creation and a beloved gathering place for like-minded individuals. The atmosphere there is imbued with the creativity that has flowed continuously from renowned artists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall, and the spirit of the artisans who have supported it. Today's idem continues to carry on that tradition, with owner Patrice warmly welcoming artists and respecting their work, and with the wonderful support of his patrons, the studio continues to beat with passion. In the early mornings in Paris, as I walk from my hotel to the studio, I am filled with the joy of encountering new creations to be made and the pleasure of meeting my fellow idem members. I wholeheartedly welcome this opportunity to reintroduce idem Paris, a printmaking studio that France is proud of, and the works of the wonderful artists that have emerged from it, to Japan."

Akira Minagawa (minä perhonen designer/artist)

Artist Introduction

Jean Jullien

"I like to work in an intuitive and direct way. I was able to work that way in Idem's studio, which allowed for a great deal of freedom of expression, and I was able to collaborate very smoothly with Martin, who was operating the machine. I even built a deep relationship of trust with him in adjusting the colors and details. I like to use various media, and lithography is an extension of my painting, and I want to gain more experience in it. In contrast to solitary painting, I enjoy working as part of a team around the machine."

I also really like how various elements are involved, such as the shine and transparency of the stone, paper, and ink (and their scent), as well as the water that is frequently used to wet the stone and printing plates. When I use water, it sometimes feels like I'm on a boat.

Lithography brings me a different way of thinking. While paintings, which I work on concurrently, are often completed in a single session, lithography is a longer process, sometimes taking several days. This allows me to break down the colors, see how the nuances interact with each other, and take more time to select the nuances. There are also surprises as the printing progresses, which is also very stimulating. And finally, at Idem, there is the joy of working in a place steeped in history, and being connected to the long tradition of many artists who have been printing with these machines since the 19th century.

Jean-Philippe Delhomme (artist)

Artist Introduction

Philippe Weisbecker

"One day, while looking through a book of ukiyo-e prints that I used to love, my eyes were drawn to the scenes of everyday life taking place in "places." I became fascinated by the architecture of traditional Japanese houses and began to think about what such places would look like when there were no signs of human presence. I realized that rooms, verandas, and corridors, furnished with earthen walls, shoji screens, alcoves, benches, and the ever-present tatami mats, exuded a sense of harmony, tranquility, and serenity, and that's how the "Tatami" series was born."

Recently, while rereading Junichiro Tanizaki's "In Praise of Shadows," my experience at the Kyoto Imperial Palace 25 years ago came flooding back. That feeling of being gently enveloped in dim light still remains in my heart. I want to express that very feeling in my lithograph series, "Clair-Obscure."

I was invited by Patrice Forest and the wonderful staff at Idem to create this work, and I feel there is no more fitting place than this, where memories of the past, present, and future intertwine.

Philippe Weisbecker (artist)

Artist Introduction

Stanley Donwood / Thom Yorke

"These lithographs were created at Idem, a 19th-century printmaking workshop in the heart of Paris. Idem is like a wonderland, revealed only after navigating a discreet alley off Montparnasse Avenue and opening a simple metal door. Beyond the door lies a vast workshop bathed in natural light, lined with gigantic printing presses, and filled with the rhythm and atmosphere of the printing process. These prints were produced directly at Idem, based on original artwork sent there specifically for this purpose."
The artwork is meticulously constructed with multiple layers of color, and each stage of the process is constantly checked and meticulously managed to ensure that the print perfectly matches the original artwork. It is a highly skilled, almost supernatural, alchemical process.

Stanley Donwood (Artist / Writer)

Artist Introduction

Toeko Tatsuno

Artist Introduction

Yuumi Domoto

"At the Idem printmaking studio in Montparnasse, stone slabs line the walls like bookshelves. The stone is limestone quarried in Solnhofen, Bavaria, Germany. It is a fine-grained stone rich in calcium carbonate and is known for being the source of dinosaur fossils. Did dinosaurs run across this stone? If you gently place your hand on the cool stone slab and let your thoughts wander to ancient times, this place feels like a global library. Great artists have carved and painted on this stone, printed and carved again, layering images upon images. They have imprinted memories onto the stone—how wonderful."
In France, prints are considered original works. They are deemed original if they have a set edition number, are signed by the artist, and the printing plates are discarded after printing. While in Japan there is a tendency to view "one-of-a-kind" items as having high value, in France, the criterion is not whether it's one-of-a-kind, but rather who the creator was. Printmakers are revered as masters with superior skills, and the artist, printer, and workshop are considered a trinity. Furthermore, all prints made in France since the 16th century are registered and held in the BFA (French National Library). That's the nature of French prints.
My first encounter with idem was in 2021. I was invited by Kazuko Koike, Creative Director of MUJI, to create a print. The theme was "Everyday Art," bringing art into everyday life. Four artists were invited to this project, but it was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. I was the only artist to go to idem. I was so determined that I would die if I could get my print made at idem. I desperately wanted to draw on the plate with my own hands and create it together with the printer. The airplanes, the streets of Paris, and the museums were all deserted. Every day after finishing my work, I went to the Louvre, but there wasn't a soul in sight. I had the huge room where the Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci) and The Wedding at Cana (Paolo Veronese) face each other, a room usually so crowded that you can't even see the paintings, all to myself. Standing stunned before a row of masterpieces in an empty corridor, I sighed deeply, acutely aware of my own powerlessness. It was a reward so luxurious that I'll probably never experience it again.
Completely captivated by the charm of lithography, I have visited idem three times.

Yumi Domoto (Artist)

Artist Introduction

Artist
【Item Editions】

Izumi Kato

"I was introduced to the studio by curator Mizuki Takahashi, and that's how I started working there about 10 years ago. Above all, I was impressed by the atmosphere of the studio, the respect shown to artists, and the fact that many of my favorite artists worked there. Initially, I wasn't interested in printmaking, but working with them was fun, I made many discoveries, and it helped in developing my own work. I hope places like this will continue to exist."

Izumi Kato (Artist)

Raymond Pettibon

This project started when I was contacted by Patrice of Idem, thanks to my connection with Jean-Philippe Delhomme, who previously exhibited at ISETAN THE SPACE.

The moment you step inside, you feel as if you've traveled through time, and you're greeted by a massive, never-before-seen press. That's the reason why it continues to be loved by contemporary artists. We want to share this project with you, carrying with us the feelings of the artists and people who work in this precious, long-established workshop.

Aya Ota (Buyer/Curator)

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