ronan & erwan bouroullec
galerie kreo, paris
april 24th to july 22nd, 2010
installation view of 'conque' wall lights
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
courtesy of galerie kreo
an exhibition of french designers ronan and erwan bouroullec is on show at galerie kreo, paris.
the installation touches on the duo's interest in industrial design, which is closely linked to the
unlimited reproduction of objects.
for the past ten years, the bouroullec brothers have been producing pieces within the framework
provided by galerie kreo:
'this unique context has often led us to compare our work for the gallery to the use of a sketch pad,
a more instinctive form of research free from the constraints imposed by industry, the norms, weight,
size or other issues more or less justified by mass production. here we give ourselves the time
to explore different media and extraordinary techniques that are rejected by industry, to approach
unique skills.' - ronan + erwan bouroullec
this new exhibition has a certain delicacy in terms of the materials used. the bouroullecs
have taken leather to cover electrical wires of the 'lianes' lamps; their 'roches' shelving units have
been painted with a finish of matte mineral-looking paint; and their 'conque' lamps have been mirrored
to give off a certain sense of mystery when illuminated.
detail of 'conque' wall lights
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
courtesy of galerie kreo
because of their wireless system, 'conque' wall lights can either stand by themselves
or interconnected to other 'conque' lamps. the glossy black finish of the lamps' shells reflect
the emerging light to its maximum. the mystery of this lamp comes from the fact that there is
space between the wall and actual light, giving the impression of a flying object in front of the wall,
with the fixing points masked.
installation view of hanging 'lianes' lamps
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
courtesy of galerie kreo
the concept behind 'lianes' interconnected lamps is to incorporate and unify all elements of the lamp -
from the long cables to the fixation points, to the actual lit shell. to achieve this, each single interrelated
element is covered with black or flesh-colored leather, including the fixation points which allow the
'lianes' to be hung from the ceiling. thanks to leather-to-leather adherence to the natural brakes that
come from the topstitching passing through the tying points, adjusting the orientation and height of the lights can be done quite freely.
detail of 'lianes' lamps
fiberglass and leather in flesh and black color
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
courtesy of galerie kreo
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
courtesy of galerie kreo
'lianes' lamps can be hung from the ceiling or wall
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
production process of enclosing the 'lianes' lamp cords in leather
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
cord enclosed in leather
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
installation views of 'lianes' lamps and 'roches' shelves
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
installation view of 'roche' shelving units
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
courtesy of galerie kreo
a collection of shelving units, 'roches' were designed in 8 sizes (from 13.5 cm long to 1.17 m long).
their ultra matte paint finish gives them a velvety feeling upon touch. the mounting elements are
completely camouflaged, building on this idea of mysterious, mineral-looking elements growing
on the wall.
installation view of 'roche' shelving units
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
up close of 'roche' shelving units
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec
up close of 'roche' shelving units
image © paul tahon / ronan & erwan bouroullec