ZA may not be listed in the periodic table by Mendeleev, but it possesses all the essential traits of an element: a solid nucleus crafted by architect Lionel Jadot and 25 free electrons, all powered by the force of creativity. Over several months, Jeremy Marchant and I had the privilege to witness these workshops following a chance encounter with Lionel Jadot during a routine press photoshoot. Quickly immersing in this unique environment, we found ourselves at the heart of this creative nucleus. Guided by Jerome Hoppe, the resident anthropologist, who provided insights and penned the accompanying text for the project. The layout was handled by Juliette Amigues, the graphic designer from Polymorpha journal. Within these pages lies a shared journey undertaken by these exceptional artists: the restoration of Royale Belge. We extend an invitation to explore this captivating phenomenon within the 293 pages of this book.
:mentalKLINIK, ATELIER 185, PIERRE CODDENS, EMMA COGNE, SOPHIE COUCKE, ARNO DECLERCQ, DIM atelier,STUDIO ELEMENTAIRES, LILA FARGET, FUTURWAVE, GROND STUDIO, ADELINE HALOT, HOME SAILS, SERBAN IONESCU, ATELIER LIONEL JADOT, MAISON JONCKERS, KRJST STUDIO, ROXANE LAHIDJI, AURELIE LANOISELEE, LUNALOTTA, ATELIER CHARLES SCHAMBOURG, PASCAL RISBOURG, SIMON TENTOON, TOUCHE TOUCHE, PIERRE-EMMANUEL VANDEPUTTE
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This magazine was created through a close collaboration with Jeremy Marchant and Juliette Amigue. The name Polymorpha refers to a species of Cucurbita, also known as Pepo by botanist Carl von Linné. This intriguing name seemed fitting for our project due to its distinctive form. The magazine combines historical context, captivating images, and delicious recipes, providing a brief glimpse into the diverse and unique world of cucurbits. Thanks to Olivier Senterre, the gardener of the pumpkin farm in Braine-l'Alleud, we were granted access to his crops for several days. Inspired by the shapes and colors of the pumpkins, we approached our photography from various angles, blending scientific precision with documentary style reminiscent of the early 1900s. Through this process, we discovered that interpreting an image is just as important as capturing it. Special thanks to Olivier Senterre and Françoise Gabrielle for their generosity in allowing us into their garden and sharing valuable resources.
This project is a joint effort with the Karakas agency. Together, we visited the paper factories in Gent that specialize in recycled paper, particularly Stora Enso. What sets Stora Enso Langerbrugge apart is its active involvement in the circular economy. The facility produces top-notch newsprint and magazine paper exclusively from 100% recycled fibers. Our focus was on capturing the essence of their daily operations involving people and machinery. Additionally, we collaborated with Cepi, a non-profit association representing the European paper industry. To mark their 15th anniversary, Karakas granted me the opportunity and creative freedom to curate a collection of 15 image prints on Ensogloss 400g paper. This visual narrative showcases the extensive work carried out over several weeks of collaboration effectively capturing our journey together.
The Tatau, a small side table designed by Jonckers Atelier, comes in two exquisite options: oxidized Mailchort and Golzinne black, a stunning stone known for its perfection. Sourced from the Golzinne quarry on the northern slope of the Namur syncline, this stone has been used to adorn the prestigious Château de Versailles with various Walloon marbles. The Golzinne black stone's limestone matrix is composed of microcrystalline calcite with organic matter evenly dispersed throughout. Initially extracted as a nondescript gray rock, it transforms into a striking black hue once polished to a marble finish. Mining this unique stone involves using diamond chain saws at depths exceeding 70 meters. Alexandra and Gregoire Jonckers have recently delved into creating one-of-a-kind pieces using both traditional and modern techniques with this exceptional stone.
As a child, I spent every summer vacation by a pond, always the same one. surrounded by a forest. You couldn't see it from the road uphill, so tall and dense were the trees. Hours spent fishing, catching frogs, building huts, ransack the nettles with sticks, catch flies and butterflies, and much more.... On rainy days, near the water, I would seek shelter under the dense foliage of trees. Sitting in a crouched position, with my chin resting on my knees and my bum perched on my heels to avoid getting wet. Arms around my legs, trapping the warmth of my belly, I found myself captivated by the enchanting aroma of silt and the earthy scent of decaying wood.The dull sound of raindrops on the foliage intoxicated me; I truly felt sheltered, far from home. Since then, I have remained in love with these bodies of water; they are always full of life and surprises.
Recently, during a walk with friends, I was surprised by one of these basins in the region of Rotselaar. Not quite like the one I knew, sadder, less wild, ordinary. But I saw in it a kind of tranquility. Surrounding the water was a reconstituted nature.
The Enclose project features metal boxes measuring 45cm by 45cm that function as wall-mounted cupboards, opening and closing roughly. The metal undergoes a patination process through repeated firings, giving it a distinctive appearance. Despite being coated with varnish for protection, the metal gradually develops a rust-like effect over time. These boxes are adorned with reclaimed wood that also showcases a patina. Inside the boxes, the metal has been specially treated to hold photosensitive material, allowing for traditional photo printing techniques to be applied to create photographic images.