It's a soft ball of fur that smells of childhood, cuddles and dried tears...With its "My Teddy Bear" exhibition, the Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris traces the history of the creation of this iconic companion, from its invention in the early XXᵉ century, right up to the present day.
One exhibition, 130 teddy bears
With the help of 130 bears from the museum's collections (some lovingly patched), we learn how this cult object has spanned generations and captured the hearts of millions of children around the world.
But beyond the cuddly faces, this exhibition is also an opportunity to discover that, behind the softness, there are also major issues at stake. After all, once a child has grown up, what happens to those cuddly toys that are left behind, forgotten in a corner of the room or even... (sacrilege) thrown away?
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac - 1988 Teddy Bear; faux fur; synthetic fibers © Les Arts Décoratifs / Jean Tholance
Patrick Lavoix for Christian Dior Homme - Teddy Bear 1994 Velvet, synthetic fibers, plastic, cotton, silk, wool, metal and glass © Les Arts Décoratifs / Christophe Dellière
Cuddly toys: Ecomaison helps you give them a second life
As this exhibition underlines, a teddy bear is not just a toy: it carries with it a story, memories, and a responsibility to our planet. Every year in France, millions of toys that can be repaired or are in good condition are discarded. But why throw away something that can be loved again?
Ecomaison is working to change this by proposing solutions to avoid this waste. Thanks to solidarity programs such as "Let your heart speak" during the festive season, collections in schools, and collection points in specialized stores throughout the year, thousands of Teddy Bears and many other dolls, games and toys are given a second life...
It's up to you!
If you come to dream in front of these bears with a thousand stories, don't forget to take the time afterwards to sort out your forgotten cuddly toys and give them a right to adoption. So that every bear saved is a tender gesture for the planet... and a proof of love for the child in all of us!
Practical info :
- madparis.fr
- My teddy bear" exhibition,
- on view until June 29, 2025
- at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris
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