Creations by fearless raw talents like Spanish artist-designer Jaime Hayon don’t always make useful sense: a four-foot-tall bright eco-friendly poultry that doubles as a rocking chair; a huge purple hot canine sculpture influenced by American cultural icons; an installation of life-size chess pieces to begin the London style Festival. however just like the theatrical haute couture of Jean Paul Gaultier, Hayon’s works influence a broad variety of functional, trendy derivatives.
Working mainly in ceramics, glass, plastic, leather, metal as well as lacquered wood, Hayon’s strong as well as whimsical installations, in addition to his furniture as well as garments designs, are rooted in the simplicity of daily life. “Concepts as well as things are ingredients. I see them as well as ultimately I utilize them in my work,” he says. Yet he succeeds in elevating them to an creative level by exaggerating details like colour, size as well as shape. “The business I work with are extremely solid, however they want to difficulty the guidelines as well as push the limits of commerciality. So, I get to experiment all the time.”
The contemporary Renaissance guy who, in conversation, perfectly switches from English to French to Spanish to Italian, examined industrial style in Madrid as well as Paris. His huge break came when he joined Fabrica, a Benetton-funded style firm, where he worked carefully with well-known Italian professional photographer Oliviero Toscani, who’s finest understood for producing questionable ad campaigns for Benetton. now Hayon’s clients include worldwide brands like Baccarat, Bisazza, Camper, Metalarte, Swarovski as well as Spanish porcelain business Lladró, who have hired him to reinvent their decorative figurines.
House & Home: Where do you look for inspiration?
Jaime Hayon: Life is inspiration. Art has always been truly essential to me. however I’m likewise curious about things that are a bit bit strange, like carnivals at the beginning of the century. When I was younger, I was truly into skateboarding as well as graffiti, so in my earlier work you still see a great deal of that influence. My very first task was to make a skate park. then I started making toys, which was a great deal of fun. now I style whatever from restaurants to shops to shoes.
H&H: You’ve explained your work as the intersection between art as well as design. What do you imply by that?
JH: We’re in a moment in which hybridity is everywhere. It occurred within the population by mixing up cultures as well as we’ve got lovely youngsters coming up. as well as now it’s happening with culture. You’ve got artists that have ended up being designers as well as designers that have ended up being artists. What I understand is I’m just a innovative person. I’ve never had time to believe about what I am. Whenever I have the chance to work on something that excites me, I do it. in some cases it’s a gallery owner that concerns me, in some cases it’s a producer or a brand. I don’t even understand which classification I ought to be put in.
H&H: What are your impressions of Canada when you visit?
JH: It’s a truly fascinating place. You have some design in Toronto that is truly powerful. There seems to be a great deal of culture as well as curiosity in the people, which is truly good for me. There’s a excellent energy.
H&H: have any type of Canadian designers or artists caught your eye?
JH: I satisfied the men from [Toronto store] Ministry of the Interior, as well as I believe they have a great deal of taste. Their work is extremely clean, as well as they have a genuine sense of installation, as well as art as well as design.
H&H: It seems like you would travel a lot. Which locations do you like best?
JH: For me, it’s not about the location itself. It’s about exactly how you look at that place. I observe everything.
H&H: What cities do you love?
JH: I like Istanbul. It’s a city with such a blend of culture. I like the energy of London as well as new York. I like Tokyo: the food, the sophistication. many of all, I like locations where there’s opposition. as well as I like rough cities — earthy cities, ones that are intense.
H&H: What’s next for you?
JH: I’m working on a few restaurants in Europe as well as I always do the art fairs. I will be in Basel with a gallery from Rotterdam. I’m likewise doing some partnerships with my sweetheart [artist Nienke Klunder]. She’s extremely fascinated with plastic surgical treatment as well as American culture, so view for our American series [American Chateau]. however that’s just one thing — I’m hectic with numerous things, so stay tuned.