The Wooden Sculpture

The Wooden Sculpture

NEW VIDEO

As part of the redesign of our logo, we created a wooden sculpture in collaboration with Ève-Lise and Julien. To immortalise this, we produced a video retracing the various stages of production. Behind the camera is Marine Bréhin, with Elsa Massol in charge of sound and editing.

Meet the artisans of sculpture

We had already had the opportunity to work with Julien when we opened the boutique in Nantes. For this sculpture he collaborated with his partner, Ève-lise. We took the time between two rushes to find out more about their work and their environment.

Can you introduce yourself in a few words? What is your background?

We're a couple of designers and craftsmen who've been based in Nantes for 5 years. We're a couple in everyday life, and sometimes at work, like on this project for a statuette bearing the new Olow logo. In our shared workshops, we design, coordinate, prototype and make objects, furniture, fittings and scenography.

Before that, we spent a few years in the Paris region working in a large FabLab (manufacturing laboratory). We worked with project leaders to help them develop their ideas and train them in the use of manufacturing and design tools.

Then we got the urge to make a change, to get back to life on a more human scale, to find a place where we could plan for the longer term.... And we found Nantes.

What drew you to the craft?

Eve-Lise / For me, craftsmanship is a love story that's been going on for a long time! I trained as a cabinetmaker alongside my training as a designer. I've always been fascinated by working with materials and the binary aspect of it: either it works or it doesn't and you start again! It's both very tangible and at the same time very sensitive. 

Julien / Personally, I wasn't at all pre-destined for craft. In fact, I always do it as a bit of a dilettante. Instead, I came in through the door of digital manufacturing tools, particularly 3D printing and laser cutting, to tinker with things for myself. And then, working in workshops full of machines on a daily basis, I started to touch a bit of everything!

You both work in shared workshops in the city of Nantes. Can you tell us more about them? How important is this to you?

We attach a great deal of importance to the local fabric. We like to surround ourselves with people who inspire us, with whom we collaborate and who often become our friends. We've almost always worked in shared workshops. These are extraordinary places where you can meet people doing all kinds of things, with whom you can share your projects and tools, but also moments of everyday life.

When you're self-employed, it's great to have people with whom you can talk about your work, share the difficulties you're facing, ask for advice or just get a helping hand to carry something heavy. 

In your approach, the material is of paramount importance, both in terms of the material itself and its sourcing. Can you tell us more about this?

We are aware that our activity has an impact on the use of raw materials, energy and transport, so we favour the use of recycled materials and solid European wood as much as possible. And we work as locally as possible, aiming to make objects that will last over time, both in terms of style and robustness.

We can't work miracles, but we try to do our best to live up to our values.

What are the key stages in making a statuette like this?

The production of these statuettes is interesting because it's at the crossroads of traditional skills and new production methods, and it's also part of a responsible approach.

The solid oak base is cut and polished on old traditional bikes that have had several lives.

The logo is digitally machined from offcuts of 3-ply oak panels from one of our previous projects.

The whole thing is finely sanded and then a natural linseed oil is applied for a warm finish!

How do you choose the projects you work on?

We don't always have the luxury of choosing our projects, but clients generally come to us because of what we've already done.

Whatever happens, before we start we explain our approach and see if we agree on the guidelines.

And then a large part of our job is to steer our proposals in directions that make sense both for the client and for us.

Is there a particular project that has stood out for you?

Eve-Lise / Each project tends to leave its mark on my practice, my view of my profession, and leads me to surpass myself creatively and technically.

To name just one, I'd say the fitting-out of the Quinconces theatre in Le Mans, which I designed in collaboration with the scenographer Lise Mazeau. All the furniture was designed to be sustainable, while encouraging maximum re-use.

This project made me realise that you can really do great things with a certain sobriety.

Julien / I'd like to mention the Olow boutique in Nantes, of course! With my old company, Atelier Clac, we did the whole fit-out in 2023.

It's great to work for a brand like that, because the standards are in the right place. We immediately agreed to make most of the furniture from recycled materials and solid wood.

It's both in keeping with their aesthetic and completely consistent with the ethos they've defended from the start.