LOUIS DUROT: ON THE EDGE OF DESIGN
With the figure of Louis Durot, Kitte begins a series of conversations with different creators. Louis Durot is a recognized artist dedicated to the art of design. His extensive career includes the technological world and the influence of Pop Art, leading to new and original proposals, which make him a reference within the world of art.
Throughout nine questions we have tried to gather his opinions in regards of design, and at the same time we have tried to explore the trajectory and the tomorrow of his art, even giving us some clues about his upcoming projects.
We are very grateful to Louis and Kim Chi Pho (Louis’s agent) for their kindness and diligence in their treatment, for allowing us the privilege of talking with them for a while.
How does a scientist by training enter the world of design? What are your influences?
LD: I am not a scientist entering the art design world. I was an artist entering the technological world with an art project from the beginning and even before entering science university.
I sense that philosophy objectively influenced your work, in one of your last articles “Art et innovation”, in the magazine Wall Street International, you reflect on the changes and evolution that have taken place in art since the beginning of the 19th century, advocating the need for an individual change in the productivity of art models. Is there therefore a penetration of the philosophical ideas of the Enlightenment to give concrete form to this evolution? Is the philosophy of Walter Benjamin the starting point of the latest art?
LD: Just like Walter Benjamin having been like him, a very young communist before being deceived and a philosopher by education before moving to science for same reasons as his ones, leading me to study afterwards maths for philosophy purposes I was involved in contemporary thinking and issues by major artists, my friends in the sixties and as a friend of major art Critic Pierre RESTANY stating that new contemporary art should mean.
In your work, do you take into account today’s advanced technology?
LD: Today I have created several new chemical technologies proprietary specifically purposed to be used only for art purpose to produce new concept of shapes and art items that only this technology makes physically possible
Do you feel that the world of design is not adequately recognized, that it is a step below the classical artistic disciplines, and that with the assimilation of the “Pop Art” movement this is no longer the case?
LD: Recognition started fully in France and in the world in 1995 according to me Pierre RESTANY in our “Decorative French Art Museum” Paris in the famous show “le design des années pop” sealed the fact that ART-DESIGN is a branch of ART SCULPTURE with his introduction manifestation and then ART DESIGN started to be displayed alongside with «pure art” in galleries, museums, art fairs and art collections, and art magazines and art schools
After the covid pandemic, has the design world regained its former vigour?
LD: Not yet, Chinese, Russian and USA travelers and art lovers is still missing.
Where is the art of design heading, are there guidelines and trends or is it a world that is difficult to embrace because of its vastness?
LD: Having not enough time to get fully informed being both active art creator very busy because also still senior technological research lab manager for two industrial companies including one multinational one ..so…still in full activity I am not fully aware of the art design world out of some major art and design magazines an major shows here are some topics: of what young or major creators are targeting considering innovation is the art design code of value using renewable materials and recyclable materials -using eco-friendly technology using only natural materials. And major issue using 3D printing technology instead of workmanship, the future world where may be algorithms will become artists???
In today’s interconnected, dependent and mercantilised world, is the work of the artist important? does it serve as a guide for us?
LD: Works of art remain part of our leisure consumers society and financial society where culture is highlighted by politicians to prove their involvement in humanism values but plays little social part in my perception and remaining dedicated to privileged cultured individuals.
From your extensive career, what would you highlight the most?
LD: Freedom and the right to challenge anything with irony even challenge art design codes like luxury high skill or convenient sign of social status accessories of “elite decoration” and luxury functional furniture’s to show up trendy ironical challenge, being a typical Jewish culture issue.
Could you give us a preview of some of your upcoming projects?
LD: New unseen and unknown shapes as alien as possible like a spiral table or a gothic metal chair that my agent will document with photos and some other freak works which concept I shall only describe once proto or models in 3D can be displayed and protect fathership I am still creating innovative shapes by intent sometimes not knowing how to physically complete realization yet.
“Freedom and the right to challenge anything with irony even challenge art design codes like luxury high skill or convenient sign of social status accessories of “elite decoration” and luxury functional furniture’s to show up trendy ironical challenge, being a typical Jewish culture issue.” LOUIS DUROT
Text: Kitte Ateliers.
Photographs: Aura Constantin, Andrea Vegan and Kim Chi Pho.
