“MERCI” – “I Have – What I Have Given”
“Merci”.
“j’ai ce que j’ai donné” – Jean Giono
I have, what I have given.
“Merci Qui… Merci Quoi”…?
Wandering into this huge concept store called “Merci, or “thank you”, in the 3rd Arrondissement, we were amazed by its crude beauty.
A complex on two levels.
Climbing up the wooden stairway, we notice that most surfaces were made of natural elements, wood, glass, jute, etc. in the showrooms.
The floors are made of thick, wooden planks – topped with natural, low wooden tables, laden with huge blown glass urns, in an exotic colour of burnt orange, as well as in a natural shade. Beautiful, modern chandeliers with crystal beads and metal, the like of which we haven’t often seen before…
Original… creative… masterful.
There are steal-grey metal and wooden cupboards filled with lovely crockery and nicknack’s.
Huge, glamorous white couches…
Stylish… stylish… so stylish…
“Magnifique”.
A book-filled café – so lovely, so cultured.
Whole walls packed with books to read… Little round wooden tables and chairs are scattered all the way down the long corridor and the cosy room…
Offering tea, cakes, and sympathy…
Charming.
But that’s not the whole story.
The “Merci” showroom serves a worthy cause…
The “fondateurs”, Marie-France and Bernard Cohen asked for a response to the following question:
“How to show solidarity… how to generate funds to sustain a charitable cause”…
“One can achieve success by giving one’s expertise, talent, and energy.”
The founders have created this unique model of a charitable foundation…
Not by means of the usual donations, or charity…
But, as a voluntary effort by Artists and designers to forgo their own share of profits.
This exemplary foundation offers its proceeds to an endowment fund, to help poor children – especially those in Madagascar…
Thus, the name of this establishment…
“Merci”.
“Thank you”.
For those noble artists and designers who have generously contributed their creative work to help a worthy cause.
A commendable generosity of spirit.
A noble gesture.
Our ailing planet needs more people making more noble gestures like the Cohens.
“Ensemble”…
Together…
We can move – “the mountain”.
Together…
We can heal our planet.
We will be donating one of our own works of Art – to this most worthy of foundations.
“Merci”.
a.