My work takes root in explorations of traditional handcrafts. It combines meticulous manipulations of various materials with playful impressions of symbols and three-dimensional optical illusions.
Using layering, perspective lines, displays of figurative or abstract motifs, I build sculptures and pictures that evoke fictional and mystical storytelling.
Brass, leather
2017
Brass, iron, iron thread, hemp, silicon.
2017.
Imagined by Michael Steger.
Conceived and produced in collaboration with: Alexander Dammeyer, Maria Reyes Perez, Sybille Jagfeld,
For MY ICARUS COMPLEX, a site-specific performance created by choreographer Troels Primdahl.
In memory of Michael Steger.
Brass leather,
Created for Hermès Paris.
Pictures:
1,2: David Lenhardt
3,4,5: Opening Hermès in Shanghai
6,7,8: Event at Hermès Paris
2014
Brass, Leather, Saddle-stitched Strap Band
2011-2017
Brass, Leather, Saddle-stitched Strap Band
2011-2017
Brass, Leather, Fish teeth, Saddle-stitched Strap Band
2011-2017
Brass, Leather, Saddle-stitched Strap Band
2011-2017
Brass, Leather, Sculpted Antlers
2009-2017
Brass, Leather
2009-2017
Hermès Paris. 2016
For this second edition, Hermès has once again called upon the talent of artist Guillaume Airiaud, and is presenting five skills applied to its exceptional watches: Crystal Art Glass, Enamelling, Haute Horlogerie, Engraving and Gem-setting.
Through sculptures composed of infinitely multiplied hollowed cubes, time springs to animated life, moving or momentarily vanishing. These graphic and airy structures appear to be levitating, midway between a game and a waking dream, and defying gravity.
Hermès Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Shanghai, New-York. 2015-2016.
Nine skills are revealed in dedicated cabinets composed of boxes exploring various facets of these age-old crafts: Crystal, Enamel, Haute Horlogerie, Lacquer, Painting on porcelain, Marquetry, Gem-setting, Leather, Engraving.
Arranged according to a scenography designed by Guillaume Airiaud, these boxes are an open invitation to discover their fascinating contents. Using a rich palette of colours and noble materials, the human hand meticulously models, sculpts, assembles, sews and polishes.
Berlin. 2014
A production for Hermès, mainly consisting in creating thirty-seven unique hand painted tables.
PARTICULES
2018 / 30 June – 26 August
Nantes
L’Atelier
1 Rue Châteaubriand
44000 Nantes
Group show curated by Evor.
With Guillaume AIRIAUD, Atelier Polyhedre, Léa BARBAZANGES, Hicham BERRADA, François BRIAND, Fabrice CAZENAVE, Marie–Johanna CORNUT, Gaëlle CRESSENT, Nicolas DAUBANES, Marie DENIS, EVOR, Michel FRANÇOIS, Irma KALT, Boris LAFARGUE, Angélique LECAILLE, Vincent MAUGER, Armand MORIN, Laurent PERNOT, Pierre–Alexandre RÉMY, Olivier SÉVÈRE, Keen SOUHLAL, Thomas TRONEL–GAUTHIER, Floryan VARENNES
ROOM CAPACITY
2018 / 27 april – ongoing
Berlin
At Linienstraße 150, Berlin, Room Capacity presents in their exhibition and for sale the entire available collection of art objects, including the new piece “Leopard-Swan”.
GALLERY WEEKEND at ROOM CAPACITY, Friday, 27th April.
Featuring artists: Paula Anguita, Guillaume Airiaud, Patric Bailly-Maître-Grand,
Torsten Solin and others.
FACELESS
2018 / 26 april – 13 june
Berlin
In April 2018 De Gruyter Verlag is publishing “FACELESS: Re-inventing Privacy Through Subversive Media Strategies” in the University of Applied Arts Vienna’s book series “Edition Angewandte”. The volume addresses current positions and approaches in contemporary art and media practices in the age of technological surveillance.
From 26.april through 13.june, the Gallery of the Austrian Cultural Forum Berlin shows an extensive video installation in combination with framed works, masks and objects from the exhibition series “FACELESS”
“FACELESS” has been organized by the artist and researcher Bogomir Doringer, supported by the curator and cultural studies scholar Brigitte Felderer (Department of Social Design / University of Applied Arts Vienna) in collaboration with Q21 at MQ – MuseumsQuartier Wien.
OUR MONSTER
2017 / 25 & 26 November
Berlin
Volksluxus yearly exhibiton in collaboration with Kreuzberg Pavillon
Minotaur and Volksluxus artists Guillaume Airiaud, Alexander Dammeyer, Troels Primdahl, Sybille Jagfeld, Kasia Wielusinska, Anna Butwell, Dana Scherer, Annelies Steen, Maren Weise, Juri Peters, Rieke Prock, Yasaman Pishvae and Tom De Pascalis are looking forward to your visit!
PÉNATES
2017 / 27 October – 05 November
Nantes
Group show. Curated by Jean-Christophe Arcos. Supported and hosted by azOnes.
With artists: Guillaume Airiaud, Coraline De Chiara, Carole Douillard, Lena Durr, Yoeri Guepin, Leticia Martìnez Perez, Wilfried Nail, Régis Perray, Simon Pfeffel, Xavier Veilhan.
MY ICARUS COMPLEX
2017 / 19 – 21 August
Aarhus
Choreographer Troels Primdahl and his interdisciplinary artist collective are ready to present their thought-provoking interpretation of the myth of Icarus’ ascension and fall. This is a new step into the field of site-specific performing arts. The event starts at sunset in HANGAR [56°18’40”N – 10°35’55”E] in the former military base at Aarhus Airport.
HERMÈS – LES MÉTIERS DU TEMPS
2016 / 02 – 05 November
New-York
Held at the Maison’s Madison Avenue flagship, the traveling exhibition called upon artist Guillaume Airiaud to create eight dedicated display cabinets that explored the various skills and techniques that go into crafting each of Hermès’s exceptional timepieces.
HERMÈS – CRAFTING TIME
2016 / 22 June – 15 July
Paris
The “Crafting Time” exhibition will be held in Paris from June 22nd to July 15th 2016, in the Espace Horloger at 24, Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
Hermès Crafting Time exhibtion celebrates horlogy.
The talent of artist Guillaume Airiaud is the subject of much fascination for Hermes, which is an incredible feat considering he is only 32. It is no surprise, then, that the storied fashion house would call upon his expertise for the “Crafting Time” exhibition. It not only unveiled three new exceptional timepieces, but also reinterpreted five key areas that apply to Hermes timepieces. Each one is translated into a series of visually-intriguing sculptures.
ONLY LOVERS
2016 / 3 – 21 February
Paris
Le Coeur
83 rue de Turenne 75003 Paris
Group show curated by Timothée Chaillou
Born in 1983 in Nantes, France.
Lives and works in Berlin.
Studied Arts at the Academy of Arts in Nantes, and Art History at Berlin’s Freie Universität. Exhibited internationally in several group and solo shows, and did various collaborations in fashion.
Guillaume AIRIAUD
+49(0)176 6136 2999
Böcklerstr. 2
D-10969 Berlin
hello@guillaume-airiaud.com
www.guillaume-airiaud.com