SHARE THE ARTICLE

Can you please start to introduce yourself?

Hello FoxyLab ! my name is David, I was born and raised in Nice in France, I’ve always been very active, very passionate about drawing and creativity… when I was a kid, I wanted to be an inventor but my father told me that this job was not a real one, so I told him : « well I will be an artist ! » To him, being an artist was not a real job either, so he suggested architecture, and today, I thank him, because thanks to him, I acquired many skills, that made it possible for me to become an artist… I was the youngest student of an art workshop called the Bô workshop where, at 7 years old, I discovered the world in which I wanted to live. Just the smell of charcoal, paper and paint channeled me.
I, then, continued to learn about art through architecture. I studied at the Ecole Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris, where I graduated, then got my thesis. I specialized in eco-responsible architecture and was the major of my promo. I used that creativity to built my project without water, in the Negev desert (you can find it on YouTube under “one night experience architecture degree »). When I returned to active life, I was immediately confronted with reality. Seeing all the constraints and pitfalls of building in an eco-responsible way, I decided to dedicate myself to art and manifest architecture.
Today, I am a self-taught, inventor, artist and architect… It is the principles of architectural design that allowed me to find my artistic style, through the search for movements, materials, and emotions… I am experimenting today with new horizons, through painting, sculpture, digital art, art & music and art & architecture…

Why choose portrait as your main mean expression?

I have always been fascinated by the portrait. In class I always drew portraits on the side of my sheets, sometimes they overflowed… but each time I wanted to redo a portrait the expression was never the same, 1 millimeter, and all the emotion can change through the importance of the gaze. That’s what fascinates me…

How do you think architecture helps you to practice your art?

It is thanks to architecture that I was able to find my graphic style. It is the origin of my conception of art. Today I work on differents scales, larger, like the street, and it is just as interesting because I perceive art and the way of designing differently. By playing with the context, with opposition, by trying to blend it into a landscape, or passing a message… I find that art in the street must have meaning, like every line that an architect builds, otherwise it becomes decoration. A kind of professional deformation that makes me see things in a different way.

What are your main influences?

Anything can be a source of inspiration for me. It can be material as well as immaterial, a discussion, the preparation of a gastronomic dish, the details of the carpentry inside of a building, or the design of a postage stamp, architectural projects, the sea, the sun…

Street art is an important part of your work, we can see it on your profile, what does this technique bring to your work?

Street art has been a turning point in my career, it has allowed me to make art outside the circle of galleries and my studio. The studio is in the street. I am not a recognized street artist, it was not my basic training, but I meet street artists, with whom we share our ideas and skills to create projects of artistic rehabilitation in abandoned places in collaboration with cities.

We saw this summer some live painting performances in the street or during festivals, what does this technique bring more as an artist according to you?

I’m a big fan of music, concerts, so participating in events that mix my two passions makes it even more enjoyable! At the end of the live painting I get to meet the artist and give him his portrait. I am developing this as a new branch precisely concerning art and the world of music, I find that this field is missing especially festivals and concerts.

Is public feedback important? What is the message you want to share through your work?

I have only good feedback, people are not used to see that in this kind of events so it is very appreciated, especially since I am always in a friendly mood and the meeting and exchanges are all perceived as positive waves, it makes the experience even more interesting because I am not surrounded as much when I make my paintings.

I could see that you recently made a virtual exhibition in collaboration, why this choice? And how was the process different from a classic exhibition?

The idea of the virtual exhibition was born during the Covid period. We had to reinvent the exhibition that was planned and find a way not to cancel it. The process was completely different. It allowed us to propose new features for example offering to more visitor, the opportunity to see my virtual exhibition. In addition to that, it giving a more immersive experience, when scanning the works with your phone, you had an hologram of me appearing and explaining the work, as if I was present. I would be delighted to have feedback if you want to check it out!

Do you have a project that you are particularly proud of, or that you would like to share with us?

I’m in the process of designing my first very sculptures work, I’m still researching and experimenting, but it’s a very rewarding and diverse job. I can’t wait to unveil it to you soon!

Finally, do you have any future projects that you could share with us?

I am currently working on projects for the city of Nice, that will be manifest architecture projects, of course, eco responsible. That I will present soon.

These are projects that may not see the light of day soon, but that allow me to think about a new vision of the city of tomorrow. They will have a public purpose, but unfortunately, I can’t talk too much about them yet.

COMMENT

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Actually, this article could
be in your email

Featured materials from FOXYLAB MAGAZINE
are available in our newsletters.
Subscribe and get a dose of inspiration!

ART

Inimitable miniatures by Salavat Fidai: “My art is a challenge to myself and my abilities…”

A whole world on the tip of a pencil. The story of an artist who proved that true art has no limits and that it is never too late to start all over again.