Aurore Piette
Aurore Piette is an artist living and working in France. Self-proclaimed craftswoman of the sea, Aurore values local discarded ocean matter from the French Atlantic Coast and aims to define a sustainable design that pays tribute to the local nature and ocean.
If you had access to all the powers, how would you improve the world?
I believe in fairness and equality. Thus, if I had access to all the powers, I would get involved in the equality between human beings, no matter their age, gender, origin. I would also support equality between humankind and nature. Indeed, for now nature doesn’t have any voice, while we all belong to a bigger whole: nature. So, I would work for equality between all beings.
What are the biggest sustainability challenges in your work and how are you addressing them?
My work is based on a collaboration with nature in order to value local discarded ocean matter on the French Atlantic coast. My major challenges have been to research and get confronted with this new natural material. Thus I had to develop relevant and sustainable techniques leading to my new craft, the craftsmanship of the sea.
Which conscious lifestyle choices are you making? And are you considering any new ones?
I believe in local and transparent production and consumption, binding materials, places, knowhow, makers and users together. And currently I aim to include social and human aspects in my projects and in my life.
What have you rebelled against in the past, and what are you rebelling against now?
I have been and I am still rebelling against over-production and over-consumption because it requires a lot of raw material and energy from nature, it creates unstable employments for workers and it leads to unstable mental health for users. So I try to share authenticity and meaningful ideas through the creation of my works.
What was the inspiration for your Steinbeisser pieces?
Since I collaborate with the Atlantic Ocean in order to value discarded ocean matters, my works are inspired by the origin of this material. The shapes pay tribute to my co-worker and its topography. Thus, I have developed several collections inspired by ocean landscape.
Describe your work in 3 words!
Frugal. Organic. Contemporary.
What has been your favorite dinner experience?
I have to say, raw seafood on the French Atlantic coast, surrounded by my close environment: the Atlantic Ocean.
What excites you about tomorrow?
Through the craftsmanship of the sea, I am discovering new techniques and applications to the ocean matter. I am curious and impressed about the potential of a unique, local and sustainable material.
Which are your 3 favorite pieces on Jouw…?
I specially appreciate the poetry of Etienne Bailleul’s wood pieces, the textural approach of Steven Sales’ ceramics and Jochen Holz’s glass works.