A Breed Apart
Paris-based artist Arik Levy is possessed with an extraordinary sense of design, which transcends all physical boundaries and limitations.
By his own admission, Arik Levy likes being unconventional. The multi-faceted designer, artist and sculptor known for his progressive thinking, believes that life is a system of signs and symbols, where nothing is quite as it seems. It is based on this philosophy that he tries to investigate the relationship between visible and invisible, full and empty, existing and absent, tangible and intangible.
Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel but based in Paris, the founding partner of studio L Design is known for his atypical design vocabulary which helps him transform everyday household objects into works of art. “The world is about people, not objects, and we design for them,” explains Levy. With the universe as a canvas to his imagination, he makes an effort to forge an association through the medium of his products. Take for instance, the Tuile de Cristal chandelier made by him for French crystal manufacturer Baccarat. Available in two variants —Piccadilly and Frozen—the source diffracts lights through its juxtaposition on a white metal canvas. Another case can be the Fire Tribe collection of vases made for Italian ceramic maker Bitossi Ceramiche. While trying to play around with the natural charm of ceramics, Levy goes beyond the usual fare and brings forward a contrast
“When I was asked to take part in this project and read the brief, the first image that jumped to my mind was the power of the stone,” explains Levy. The horizontal levels of the installation describe the history and time line that the stone will take to form itself. Another piece worth mentioning is the next generation of Levy ‘rocks’, a development of his widely acclaimed Rock Table. These outdoor sculptures, made in mirrorpolished stainless steel, like some kind of reflecting faceted diamonds, are an intriguing paradox of the primeval and the futuristic.
We all know that good dressing is largely a question of detail and accessories. For Levy, it is subjective and personal but also, functional and decorative.