KitSü is a piece of art furniture that allows you to reconnect with yourself, but also with others. I wanted to create a piece of furniture that is both a separator and a unifier, capable of bringing different people together in the same space. In other words: a space within a space.

Inspired by the Kitsune, a fox spirit with polymorphism, and many other powers, I wanted to create an object in the image of an ancestral love story between a human and a spirit. The KitSü desk screen is my interpretation of this story.

Shaped like an egg, it features a fan-shaped desk adorned with brass leaves, straw inlay and white oak to highlight the workspace. A solid white oak structure has a hexagonal pillar in the center on which are fixed 3 curved wooden panels. Among these 3 sides, one is composed of circular mirrors backed with white oak and inlaid with blue and black straw in reference to the Kitsune fire. It has the particularity of being able to be fixed on different sides of the central pillar with screws, to change the shape of the object. The other two fixed sides, also serving as a foot of the desk, are simply empty: They make the link between the office space and the rest of the composition.

The overall shape of the object is that of a cocoon, while leaving it open to the world around it. Its possibilities of arrangement are multiple and thus leave room for the creativity of each.

KitSü

Ode to the legendary counterpart creature of Japanese folklore, this composition serves as a communication from a bygone era adapted to our contemporary reality, reflecting our ever-evolving lifestyles and thoughts, much like the enduring myths that envelop us.

With a commitment to precision, I aimed to center my efforts on the distinctive attributes of the Tengu: the fan, the martial arts concept, and the resulting discipline ingrained in ancestral techniques passed down through generations.

In its formal manifestation, TenGü emerges as a utilitarian and polymorphic creation. Crafted with the intention of minimizing its spatial footprint in our interiors, TenGü ideally finds its place next to expansive windows. When in use, its design facilitates an emotional interaction with the external environment, akin to a Tengu observing from a mountain summit. The user of TenGü assumes the role of the legendary creature honing skills while maintaining vigilant awareness of the surroundings.

Constructed with a robust white oak frame adorned with brass and gold leaf, TenGü integrates traditional cabinet-making techniques involving bending and assembly. The fan-shaped top features a feather pattern in straw marquetry, reminiscent of wings, and incorporates the Tengu feather fan.

The transformation of this furniture piece is initiated by the user, who rotates the fan from a vertical to a horizontal position through a rotating mechanism. A screw system secures the tray during this transformative moment, echoing a ritualistic gesture akin to martial artists preparing for training. At the conclusion of the "training," the tray gracefully returns to its original position, marking the conclusion of the practice.

TenGü

  
  
Explore 'Invisible Monster', inspired by unseen amoebic threats. Meticulously arranged, the pieces mimic taxidermy precision, portraying the hidden danger. Pinned against the wall, the artworks reveal the organic shapes of microorganisms. Rye straw scales, selected for reflective allure, add lifelike texture through their interaction with the lights. This captivating collection explores the delicate dance between beauty and peril, where light unveils the intricate play of the seen and unseen.

Invisible Monster 05

Invisible Monster 07

Obäke is a lamp inspired by the Chochin-Obake (the ghost lantern) from Japan. Although it does not prominently appear in mythological tales, it is featured in Ukiyo-e (a traditional painting technique) and kabuki plays, both significant elements of the popular culture of that era. The Chochin-Obake is a Tsukumogami, an object that becomes a Yokaï (spirit) after 100 years. In stories, this haunted lantern frightens people by flapping its tongue.

Drawing inspiration from traditional paper lanterns, which themselves are inspired by stone lanterns found in Japanese gardens, I aimed to connect the different temporalities of the lantern's evolution. The result is a lamp that feels almost alive, with open ribs made of bent wood that subtly move with changes in humidity. This movement symbolizes the lamp's evolution and transformation, embodying a new being while remaining fundamentally the same.

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Jonathän Jouan

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