BERNARD PICTET EXCEPTIONAL GLASS WORKS FOR LUXURY INTERIOR YACHTS
Exceptional glass works for luxury interior yachts
How did you start creating elements for Yachts? What was your favorite creation ?
Yacht owners want uniqueness and are not restricted by the price of glass. The most important is uniqueness and pleasingness. I aspire to do distinctive products. That’s why I was naturally bought to the yachting industry. The first yacht onboard which I made a glass design was the EOS by Lurssen, a 93 meters sailing yacht. I love sails. The interior designer was Francois Catroux. We made everything in the style of the 30’s. After this project, I met Remi Tessier, he is the one who launched me in the yachting world. I really enjoy working with him, I love his style. Nevertheless, I have just finished an amazing creation with Reymond Langton, for Lady S 93 meters yacht. I have done many more with many more people , but as I said Remi Tessier launched me, because of his successful and renown designs. I was then asked to produce a stair wall spreading over three floors, aboard the Quinta Essential Yacht, with the interior designer Michela Reverberi, a very challenging design.
How long did it take to complete the Quinta Essentia glass work ?
5 to 6 months to produce it. Not taking into account transportation and placing which are not done by us. We usually have wooden pattern. For example for the boat we just completed we had hundreds of patternsi. Usually, glasses are not very big, the largest we had was 1.40 x 3.5 meters.
What are the constraints applicable to glass work for yacht ?
Weight is not really an issue. It might affect speed so sometimes we are limited. However a mega Yacht is already so heavy that 3 tones of glass is insignificant. Shipyards always try to reduce thickness, but it can become to fragile. There is an other important issue we face, it must be safe glass everywhere and it also create thickness constraints. Often shipyards will bond the whole surface when the type of glass can be bonded. That is irreversible and shall the glass break there is a requirement to replace the entire glass wall.
Bernard Pictet’s mastery of glass attract an international up-scale clientele including Chanel, Dior, Guerlain, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Boucheron and Chaumet in addition to numerous personalities.
For the last ten years, we have noticed more interior decorations made from glass aboard Yachts. Owners seek luxury and originality. How would you define your arts ?
What I love in my favorite products is mystery. When we look at my glass we wonder how it is made or what is it. I lay between art crafting and Art by itself. However, my glass creations always have a functional purpose as opposed to regulator art.
What techniques are you using in your latest artworks?
Currently, I am using a layering process of lighted mirrors, this creates depth illusion. In every project, I am thrilled to surprise the spectator, what I enjoy with this project is its unreadable aspect, at the border of abstract art. The audience is grasped trying to decode this effect of infinity. I also use classical techniques such as engraving. I engrave using diamonds to obtain more refined, thinner details. This diamond using method is exclusive because of its rarity. We could have used this technique since the Renaissance, but, till now, no one had managed to take advantage of it. My task is to astound through the aesthetic of raw materials, such as glass, wood, fabric… For instance, fabrics are often associated with wood or metals for framing. Lately, by combining the fineness of fabrics with the elegance of glass, I demonstrated that both paired together wonderfully. Often, astonishment comes from discoveries, that’s why I am impatient to make you
For the last ten years, we have noticed more interior decorations made from glass aboard Yachts. Owners seek luxury and originality. How would you define your arts ?
What I love in my favorite products is mystery. When we look at my glass we wonder how it is made or what is it. I lay between art crafting and Art by itself. However, my glass creations always have a functional purpose as opposed to regulator art.
What techniques are you using in your latest artworks?
Currently, I am using a layering process of lighted mirrors, this creates depth illusion. In every project, I am thrilled to surprise the spectator, what I enjoy with this project is its unreadable aspect, at the border of abstract art. The audience is grasped trying to decode this effect of infinity. I also use classical techniques such as engraving. I engrave using diamonds to obtain more refined, thinner details. This diamond using method is exclusive because of its rarity. We could have used this technique since the Renaissance, but, till now, no one had managed to take advantage of it. My task is to astound through the aesthetic of raw materials, such as glass, wood, fabric… For instance, fabrics are often associated with wood or metals for framing. Lately, by combining the fineness of fabrics with the elegance of glass, I demonstrated that both paired together wonderfully. Often, astonishment comes from discoveries, that’s why I am impatient to make you discover my latest projects, particularly the “au ciseaux” collection that will be available in the AD Matière d’art in Paris from Friday, September 17th till the 24th.
You have united with several artists to combine different materials, can you tell us more?
The alliance of glass and wood is still going on for me and the «Parquets Briatte». We are working on a parquet floor without glass that will reproduce its transparency while keeping a higher quality wood. This collaboration is an association of Art and innovation.
During the latest Covid confinement, did you keep yourself busy with any particular project?
A project containing more than 200 mirrors! It was an engaging work, the customers, as well as the interior designing agency - Reymond Langton - wanted something 100% silvery. Such constrain is a boon, pushing you to be even more creative. I have used the reflection of mirrors playing with sliver textures, matt, glossy and semi-reflecting properties. The interplay of textures fills the whole space, without using a once of gold. It’s an excellent project and the final result is very harmonious.
Despite the pandemic, have you experienced an increase in demands?
Currently, I am working on a project for the next Yacht from Oceanco. It is unnamed yet, and actually, I was referred by the Reymond Langton designing agency following our previous collaboration. I have also received many demands from Feadship, Heesen yacht, and Zuretti.