The multidisciplinary artist and painter Caroline Rennequin presents her art furniture at the contemporary design fair Collectible for its first edition in New York. The pieces she presents are an extension of her pictorial work, imbued with a distinctive personality and colors that are instantly recognizable. Collectible’s press team interviewed her before the opening:
Her series, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth, unveils the behind-the-scenes of contemporary creation. Covering topics from personal design processes to the position of collectible design in the global market, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth offers different perspectives to satisfy all tastes. Today, we talk with Caroline Rennequin.
C: Why do you focus on contemporary collectible design? What does it mean to you?
Caroline Rennequin: My living and working space is essential to me. Every object that shares my intimate space has a story. Creating objects and designs is an opportunity to tell a story of our time and to experiment with new materials that reflect the evolution of our society. The formal adventure is another story for me. Functional objects have timeless constants and limits related to the human body, which we cannot play with too much. However, each generation evolves the form, and it’s wonderful to be part of that.
C: How does your approach to contemporary collectible design reflect current cultural or societal trends?
CR: As an artist, my research, experiences, and growth lead me to view furniture in the same way as sculpture or painting. These are unique pieces. I respond to the overproduction of objects and advocate for local craftsmanship. I promote a creative relationship where humans are active participants in their environment, living in a personal creative space within the collective.
C: What can collectible design bring to the everyday life of collectors?
CR: The presence of any human creation in a space impacts people. Being surrounded by creative, innovative, and experimental objects is a genuine source of inspiration for every human being. An object is like a book; having a library is fantastic…
C: What role does storytelling play in enhancing the value and appreciation of collectible design objects within a collector’s portfolio?
CR: Each design piece is a kind of poetic manifesto from a creative person who has absorbed the issues of their time, society, and personal culture. Knowing the details effectively provides access to a narrative that allows a deeper discovery of the birth of a functional object, but sometimes it also opens a door to the future.
