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FUN,
MACHINES & NATURE
Notes by Laura Chenus,
De Stihl exists since 2010. Frustrated by the time it took to make a prototype chair, Olivier Lellouche (OLL) found a way to build his stools in a weekend; by using a single tool, a Stihl chainsaw, thus eliminating any finish. ⤵ De Stihl Camp places itself in the extension of this jest. Behind this process, which at first seems simple [1], lies a true desire to lead the participants (more than the spectator) towards an utopia, to imagine a new mode of production, to create a link. ⤴ De Stihl Camp point of departure, which is neither an exhibition or a performance, is OLL‘s questioning of his design predecessors. Indeed when Enzo Mari, who advocated a ‘design for all‘ in his book “Proposta per un Autoprogettazione“ [2] (above all the DIY Sedia Chair), decided to sell the chair at Artek for the price of €234 [3], he broke a universal contract that bound them. From this deception, was born OLL‘s desire to return to a form of self-production, a kind of improvised forging of a stool, emblematic of Alvar Alto. This way of functioning marks as much an end to an affiliation, as a final tribute to his mentors. ⤵ What is happening here, around this machine, is an opening to a much larger machine, new and universal. [4] This door was opened to us by means of a library. When inviting Olivier Lebrun (OLB) to participate in Camp De Stihl OLL didn‘t order anything, not even a wish for a format, a discourse or a quality of expression. He simply bought along his fathers book [5] and a collection of images as food for thought. Using nature as a point of inspiration, from the least domesticated energy (a glacier) to those that we produce (manual), the De Stihl Camp Library is arranged using the “powers of ten“ rule, citing Ray and Charles Eames film (Powers of Ten, 1968) but also Dan Graham (March 31, 1966). There is a path to be followed through these very different works - subject, format, paper and printing method - starting from De Stihl user manual, then moving onto OLL‘s tools - the machines, the material - towards steam energy - wood, nature - before finishing with the immensity of a glacier. Here OLB frees himself from a single interpretation, allowing each reader to decode the work through a set of proposals, research, tests and paths of reflection. The point of De Stihl Camp, is to be surprised by his own practice. To allow himself to fail or at least allow error. Perhaps it is exactly this that touches utopia? The risque has been taken that the machine will not function in the way that it was supposed to. Or that the books, printed by a random process cannot be connected. But also that the message emitted remains unclear. ⤵ Nowadays all is clear. Everything is done for a reason and explained. It is from a tangible result that we derive personal satisfaction or recognition, or at least the validation of what was produced. However, here the field is different: the procedure, the movement, the multiple use of energy and the time it takes “to make“ takes precedence over the result. Were De Stijl wanted to tame nature and draw her into his principles [6], De Stihl invites her to reassert herself. ⤵ How do we build (ourselves), how to we perceive our work, when the foundations we thought unalterable are no longer reliable. The book of interviews with Denis Lellouche reminds us that nature is comforting and unchanging [7]. On this basis De Stihl returns to the basics, to connection, to time, to nature. Emancipation is all-encompassing, to the extent that an object can be remodeled, recognisable and associated to its creator for his beliefs. ⤵ The visitor is therefor invited to participate in the “space-time“, created by Camp De Stihl during 48 hours. Come and see, eat with Maori Murota, discuss and draw breath “You have the right to walk anywhere you want.“ [8]
Translation Oliver Gage
[1] We produce, we eat, we relax.
[2] Book 10_0, P.XVIII.
[3] Finish furniture editor founded by Alvar Aalto and his wife.
[4] Extract from De Stijl manifest, 1924: "There are 2 schools, an old and a new. The old makes its way towards individualism. The new towards the universal. The debate of individualism against the universal reveals itself as much in world war as in art in our era
[5] “La Filičre bois en Sučde” Title of the book by Denis Lellouche, 1980.
[6] “Only the pure aspect of elements, in balanced proportions, can ease the tragedy in life and art“, Piet Mondrian.
[7] “Every day he looks at his bank account growing while we can continue to follow the stock market.“ Book 10_3, P.VI.
[8] Book 10_3, P.I.
LLLLL
LILBL
RLALR
LLYLL
De Stihl’s Library is a compilation of documents, presented as a pyramid. Based on the powers of 10, it divides the different scales of materials and energy and how to interact with its as tools for production.
10_4 A Briksdalsbreen Poster
10_3 A Wood Interview
10_2 A Vapor Essay
10_1 A Tools Index
10_0 A Manual
Available in the bookshop
C.
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Informations
info [at] destihl.eu
De Stihl Camp #01
Olivier Lellouche,
Olivier Lebrun
& Maori Murota.
1.1.
6 bis passage de la Fonderie
Paris [fr] 75011
1.2.
Opening
Friday 16.09 7pm
1.3.
True to its commitment to art, Grolsch will support the opening of De Stihl exhibition.
De Stihl Camp #02
Olivier Lellouche,
Olivier Lebrun
& DesignMarketo.
2.1.
Past Vyner Street
London [uk] E2
2.2.
Opening
Friday 23.09 7pm
De Stihl Camp #03
04.2012
3.1
3.2
De Stihl Camp #04
09.2012
4.1
4.2