Don’t roll your eyes at the mention of the word “artisan.” Yes, we know it’s overused, often treated as a shortcut to care in craft, a sense of handmaking and heritage that maybe isn’t quite there. This week on The Vault, though, we’re introducing you to a trio of true modern artisans, each of whom works in a different material—or in one case, with no material other than his imagination and a Steinway piano. Want to understand the true meaning of artistry? Read on.
Sculptor vs. industrial designer: Where does the line lie? You can make up your mind for yourself when you look at the surreal, witty (and strangely comfortable) pair of chairs we’re spotlighting this week. They’re the signature work of Paris-based Ruth Francken, a pop artist who relished in rebelling against the rules of what was, and wasn’t, art. These chairs are the epitome of her instincts, and the pair, dubbed Homme, for obvious reasons, will make a conversation-starting addition to any interior—call it homme at home.
Inquire
Concert pianist life can be, frankly, a drag: banging out recitals of the same old classics, trying to find some way to bring a fresh perspective to them, year after year after year. No wonder Arsha Kaviani rejected the chance to be a pianist like that. Rather, the Dubai-born musician was determined to be a modern-day Mozart, rather than play Wolfgang’s works. He’s carved out a career as a composer for hire, working with taste-making patrons to write original pieces. Kaviani’s signature technique is musical portraiture, depicting personality through sound—and he’s ready to write a masterpiece in partnership with The Vault.
Inquire
Can you paint with metal? Vikram Goyal certainly thinks so. The Indian designer has revived the dying art of repoussé, where scenes are depicted on a sheet of metal by painstakingly hammering out every detail by hand. Few have the skills, or the patience, of Goyal and his team; the pieces they produce take weeks to complete. They’re sold in the world’s most exclusive galleries, but via The Vault, you’ll have the right to commission your own bespoke design, where every element has true meaning. Read on to find out how.
Inquire