This August, Marseille welcomes a new destination for collectors, design enthusiasts and lovers of contemporary craftsmanship. From 27 to 29 August 2026, Objects in Progress makes its debut inside Appartement 119, a remarkable nineteenth-century residence in the city’s historic centre, where contemporary art and collectible design will be feature against the evocative backdrop of a private home in the midst of restoration.

Rather than embracing the polished neutrality of a conventional fair, the inaugural salon invites visitors into an intimate domestic setting where every room becomes part of the narrative. Conceived by Valentine Hinfray and Ari Pugh, the three-day event brings together an international selection of established and emerging artists and designers whose practices explore the emotional and cultural life of objects.

The result is an exhibition that feels less like a marketplace and more like stepping inside a beautifully curated property. Sculptural furniture, collectible design and contemporary artworks inhabit the apartment alongside its original architectural details, creating conversations between past and present.

Rather than treating design as something static or purely decorative, the salon celebrates pieces that evolve through use, gathering meaning over time and becoming part of everyday rituals. Here, craftsmanship meets lived experience, blurring the boundaries between art and function.

Beyond the exhibition itself, the programme extends through performances, conversations and special launches, encouraging visitors to engage with the ideas behind making, materiality and contemporary collecting. Each event offers an opportunity to discover the designers’ processes while reflecting on the enduring relationship between people and the objects they choose to live with.

The setting is integral to the experience. Appartement 119 remains an inhabited home, and its ongoing renovation lends an added layer of authenticity to the presentation. Worn surfaces, preserved architectural details and unfinished spaces become part of the exhibition, reminding visitors that beauty often emerges through evolution rather than perfection.

With its carefully considered scale and immersive atmosphere, Objects in Progress offers a refreshing alternative to the international design fair circuit.

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Images: Getty and poster for the Salon.