Paris-based artist-designer Hervé van der Straeten’s approach to design has been an ongoing exploration of the architectural potential of jewellery, delicacies of heavy metal, and deconstruction in lighting and mirror works. Van der Straeten’s design incorporates a focus on beauty, coupled with fine craftsmanship that accentuates the aesthetic quality of the work.
Shalini Passi: Your works spans across different disciplines; how has your training in jewellery design translated to your practice in creating furniture and lighting?
Hervé van der Straeten: Starting with designing jewellery was interesting as it allowed me to explore many shapes and styles with a lot of freedom. Having set up my own workshop already at the time led me to practice bronze works in a precise and precious way; this translates today in my work, where attention to detail is obvious.
Console Cristalloide, 2019 and Console Meditation, 2019
Shalini Passi: Your works span across different disciplines. How has your training in jewellery design translated to your practice in creating furniture and lighting?
Hervé van der Straeten: Everything starts in my sketchbooks with dynamic drawings, and the goal is to capture this energy and bring it to the final piece. The key also is to have a strong concept creating a visual point of tension, like in the J’adore perfume bottle I designed, where the neck of the bottle is unusually narrow. I don’t design collections of furniture but I design sculptural pieces that create a bizarre effect, realized with a perfect quality. Keeping a fresh eye and avoiding recipes is crucial.
Shalini Passi: How important is it for you to incorporate heritage craft in your work? What is the place of craft in contemporary design?
Hervé van der Straeten: I have always been designing pieces that were handcrafted. Today, I have a cabinet-making workshop and a bronze workshop with a team of skilled craftsmen making my pieces. It is unusual for a designer to have his own manufacturing unit, but it allows me to achieve exactly what I want, and I am very demanding! I always felt crafted pieces had more soul, more preciousness and gave more satisfaction; it keeps us in touch with our culture. Growing up in France was very inspiring as we have such a strong decorative arts heritage.
Miroir Rebelle, 2019 and Miroir Nid, 2016
Shalini Passi: It’s great to have you in India; what do you hope to gain from this experience? Is there anything you find particularly inspiring about the country?
Hervé van der Straeten: I have travelled several times to India, and it is always with the same pleasure I discover its rich and joyful culture. It is a very welcoming country. In India, there is also a strong tradition for craftsmanship that I hope I will have the opportunity to explore!
Tabouret Capsule stool and Table Basse Volubile, 2019
Shalini Passi: What are you working on at the moment, and what can we hope to see in the near future?
Hervé van der Straeten: At the moment I am working on a large group of new pieces that I will show in January 2020 in my space in Paris. This exhibition, Fun Ride, will propose a contrasted group of joyful and witty pieces, the accent will be on fresh colours and minimal shapes. They will dialogue with contemporary artists, such as Arotin & Serghei.
Miroir Saturnal, 2019 and Miroir Tumulte, 2017
Find out more about Hervé van der Straeten and his work on vanderstraeten.fr
