’Lignes d’Ombres’: Mobilab’s latest showcase is a creative meeting of minds

Commissioning two unique creative studios to create two different works and then showcasing the results together in one space could surely be a recipe for disaster. But happily, when the creatives in question are photographer Daniela Droz and ECAL graduates Thevoz-Choquet, the result is a harmonious meeting of minds. Currently on show at Mobilab, a space in Lausanne, Switzerland that strives to bridge the gap between art, collectable editions and functional pieces of design, 'Lignes d'Ombres' is the the latest in the gallery’s ‘Design Series’ – a set of exhibitions dedicated to pairing up two strong and unique designers or artists.
'The selection is of course based on the creators’ work, but also on their personality,’ says Herard, Mobilab founder and owner, of his selection process. 'It’s really important to me that these elements can meet – I then form a partnership of participants according to the proximity or opposition of their work. Above all though, the synergy has to be about passion, desire and pleasure – both with the result and the process.'
Following on from the previous two 'Design Series' exhibitions (photographer Nicolas Delaroche exhibited alongside graphic designer Camille Sauthier in January 2015 and artist Simon Deppierraz with photographer Tonatiuh Ambrosetti in May 2015) the third exhibition has resulted in Apophenie, a sharply-angled metal and mirror sculpture by Droz and a series of perfectly poised marble and opalescent tube lamps by Thevoz-Choquet.
United by their clean geometric lines and clever manipulation of light, the new pieces mark global debuts for both studios. For Droz, whose work has often led her to experiment with the creation of ‘still life’ sets made from mirrors and plastics, Apophenie marks her first (commissioned) foray into sculpture design.
Made from metal and mirror, the kaleidoscopic structure is a scientific visual experiment that creates a different composition of intersecting lines, light and shadow depending on which side and angle it’s viewed from. A series of images shot by Droz that explore the piece from different angles are displayed alongside the sculpture.
Following on from their 2015 furniture and accessories collaboration with the marble experts at Italian manufacturer Bloc Studios (the results of which made it into our 2015 Design Directory in W*196), Virgile Thévoz and Joséphine Choquet used complex machining to create the pure spherical forms that each balance a glowing opalescent tube of light. Due to the natural colouring of the Carrara marble, the duo, who both completed ECAL’s Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship, have ensured that every piece is unique.
‘Both of them have a very clear and constructive approach to their creative efforts – no element left to chance, and everything is produced in an intelligent and thoughtful way,’ says Herard. ‘I like the idea that each edition is an adventure.’
’Lignes d’Ombres’ is the the latest in the gallery’s ‘Design Series’ – a set of exhibitions dedicated to pairing up two strong and unique designers or artists
This third exhibition has resulted in Apophenie (pictured hanging on the wall), a sharply-angled metal and mirror sculpture by Droz and a series of perfectly poised marble and opalescent tube lamps by Thevoz-Choquet (on the table)
For Droz, whose work has often led her to experiment with the creation of ‘still life’ sets made from mirrors and plastics, Apophenie marks her first (commissioned) foray into sculpture design. A series of images shot by Droz that explore the piece from different angles, are displayed alongside the sculpture
Made from metal and mirror, the kaleidoscopic structure is a scientific visual experiment that creates a different composition of intersecting lines, light and shadow depending on which side and angle it’s viewed from
Virgile Thévoz and Joséphine Choquet used complex machining to create the pure spherical forms that each balance a glowing opalescent tube of light
Due to the natural colouring of the Carrara marble, the duo have ensured that every piece is unique
INFORMATION
’Lignes d’Ombres’ will be on view until 11 June. For more information, visit the Mobilab website
Photography courtesy Mobilab
ADDRESS
Mobilab
Rue du Simplon 35
1006 Lausanne
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ali Morris is a UK-based editor, writer and creative consultant specialising in design, interiors and architecture. In her 16 years as a design writer, Ali has travelled the world, crafting articles about creative projects, products, places and people for titles such as Dezeen, Wallpaper* and Kinfolk.
-
All-In is the Paris-based label making full-force fashion for main character dressing
Part of our monthly Uprising series, Wallpaper* meets Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø of All-In, the LVMH Prize-nominated label which bases its collections on a riotous cast of characters – real and imagined
By Orla Brennan
-
Maserati joins forces with Giorgetti for a turbo-charged relationship
Announcing their marriage during Milan Design Week, the brands unveiled a collection, a car and a long term commitment
By Hugo Macdonald
-
Through an innovative new training program, Poltrona Frau aims to safeguard Italian craft
The heritage furniture manufacturer is training a new generation of leather artisans
By Cristina Kiran Piotti
-
Switzerland’s best art exhibitions to see in 2025
Art fans, here’s your bucket list of the standout exhibitions to see in Switzerland in 2025, exploring compelling themes and diverse media
By Simon Mills
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been doing this week
A snowy Swiss Alpine sleepover, a design book fest in Milan, and a night with Steve Coogan in London – our editors' out-of-hours adventures this week
By Bill Prince
-
‘Happy birthday Louise Parker II’: enter the world of Roe Ethridge
Roe Ethridge speaks of his concurrent Gagosian exhibitions, in Gstaad and London, touching on his fugue approach to photography, fridge doors, and his longstanding collaborator Louise Parker
By Zoe Whitfield
-
What to see at Art Basel 2024, as the fair arrives at its hometown
Art Basel 2024, the fair of all fairs, runs 13-16 June, with 285 international exhibitors and a long list of side shows and projects
By Osman Can Yerebakan
-
Dan Flavin’s fluorescent lights light up Basel
‘Dedications in Lights’ celebrates Dan Flavin’s conceptual works, at Kunstmuseum Basel
By Amah-Rose Abrams
-
Space for My Body: Anu Põder’s retrospective opens in Switzerland
Estonian artist Anu Põder is celebrated by Switzerland’s Muzeum Susch in an exhibition curated by Cecilia Alemani
By Hannah Silver
-
Bally Foundation’s new Lake Lugano headquarters is an art-filled paradise
The Bally Foundation inaugurates its new headquarters in a 1930s villa overlooking the majestic Lake Lugano, Switzerland with the group show ‘Un Lac Inconnu’ (An Unknown Lake)
By Hili Perlson
-
Supergraphics pioneer Barbara Stauffacher Solomon: ‘Sure, make things big – anything is possible'
94-year-old graphic designer Barbara Stauffacher Solomon talks radical typography, motherhood, and her cool welcome for St Moritz
By Jessica Klingelfuss