The new New Penelope as told by its designer

Excerpt of an interview with artist François Dallegret, recounting the principles that guided him for his original interior design of The New Penelope on Sherbrooke Street in late 1966.

Here is the English translation of the original interview conducted in French.

Transcription:

Louis Rastelli: It’s curious that among the people we spoke with, that went to a lot of concerts, there was a little bit of discontent at the New Penelope because of the picnic-style benches. That’s what everyone remembers: “Ah, but it wasn’t the most comfortable! Everything was made of wood!” I don’t mean you’re the one to blame. [Laughs.] 

François Dallegret: No, no, but it was kind of the idea that it would not be very comfortable! Anyway it was a dynamic place! A place where we could get up, where we could leave, come back, etc. It was a kind of life, life through space, etc. It was kind of the idea, it was young people who were there! 

Louis Rastelli: Precisely in addition to that, it seems that there was a lot of coming and going because people went out. There was no alcohol, so people went out to have a beer next door. People were going down the alley to smoke weed. People were going to the other side of the street. 

François Dallegret: Yeah! It was a place that was, as we say in English, “rough”! And that was the idea! It’s like the Drug, when I made the Drug, I made a seating system, etc. that was very, that also wasn’t so comfortable to the point that you could stay in the restaurant part of the Drug for hours, because it wasn’t meant for you to stay there for hours. It had to circulate, people had to come in and out, etc. It’s kind of the same principle. 

Louis Rastelli: Today we ban, or we put a limit of half an hour on free internet if we don’t want people to stay longer. 

François Dallegret: Yes, it’s a bit like that, it’s a bit like that.