Paper Today
Paper is an essential part of today's societies and has been part of everyday human life for centuries. It is used as a medium for knowledge, art, and communication, but it also plays an important role in everyday life. Particularly used in product packaging, this practice is currently one of the most important uses of paper, due to the rise of e-commerce. It also remains a symbol of mass consumption. This consumption varies from country to country depending on economic development, social habits, and the infrastructure put in place for its production.
![Aujourd'hui___journal_des_modes_[...]_bpt6k5446135g_1.jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/243e7c_ca056b955c3e405c99395c522cb70572~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_358,h_306,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Aujourd'hui___journal_des_modes_%5B___%5D_bpt6k5446135g_1.jpeg)
Aujourd'hui: Journal des Modes Ridicules, illustrations by Gérard-Fontallard, 1840, National Library of France.
Hand on Paper
The versatility of paper led to the creation of endless fields of creativity that flourished throughout the 20th century. Folding, cutting, collage, assembly and many other activities involving paper were developed. The best way to understand this medium is to experiment with it through creative manual transformation techniques. Get your hands on some paper and experience its versatility yourself.

CRESTIN-BILLET Frédérique, Papier plié et découpé, Paris, Succès du livre, 2005, Bibliothèque Nationale de France
Art and Paper
Each year, several museums highlight the heritage of papermaking, emphasizing both the preservation of traditional techniques and their revival in contemporary art. Papermaking production sites have also become subjects of artistic expression and representation, underscoring their deep roots both within regional landscapes and in the collective memory of societies. Through these manifestations, paper reveals itself as more than a simple medium: it is a vector of social connection, a testament to living memory, and a laboratory for innovation.
![Girl's_own_paper_[_puis__and_[...]_bpt6k1429678h_35.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/243e7c_d6cba3ce7b4b4ee4904755f9b3dcb35d~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_721,w_1864,h_1593/fill/w_358,h_306,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Girl's_own_paper_%5B_puis__and_%5B___%5D_bpt6k1429678h_35.jpg)
Girl's own paper ["puis" and woman's magazine], London, 1927, Bibliothèque Nationale de France
Paper News
Paper is not just a physical medium used to preserve the memory of civilizations. It is also a living participant in cultural creation and dialogue. Through numerous events in Europe and around the world, this universal material has become the focus of technical, artistic, and ecological experimentation. Exhibitions, biennials, workshops, and festivals bring the thousand-year history of paper to life and demonstrate its contemporary vitality, combining traditional craftsmanship with sustainable innovation.
![Palais_de_l'Industrie_Exposition_du_[...]_btv1b53019564s_1.jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/243e7c_13b6503a709e41dca59666de773463fa~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_31,y_22,w_970,h_829/fill/w_358,h_306,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Palais_de_l'Industrie_Exposition_du_%5B___%5D_btv1b53019564s_1.jpeg)
Poster printed on yellow paper, Exhibition of Maritime and River Industries and Export Industries, July 10 to November 15, 1875, Bibliothèque Nationale de France



