AURÉLIEN LECOUR
MAGNITOGORSK
MPMP - 2011-2012
Magnitogorsk is the first project made by MPMP, it combines a fashion collection, an art installation and a series of conceptual graphics.
In Russia, on the frontier between Europe and Asia, lies the city and the mountain of Magnitogorsk. This name, translated in English as “Magnetic Mountain”, is self-explanatory. Magnitogorsk is a mountain of iron ore, a natural giant magnet, black and mysterious. The magnetism which emanate from it is so powerful that life around it is doomed to feel discomfort. The pendulum of the clock, and the needle of the compass stop functioning, time and space become irrelevant notions. This, combined with the extraordinary pollution created by the intense industrial complex which has been established on this fantastic resource is making this area hostile to the livings.
Magnitogorsk is the first project made by MPMP, it combines a fashion collection, an art installation and a series of conceptual graphics.
In Russia, on the frontier between Europe and Asia, lies the city and the mountain of Magnitogorsk. This name, translated in English as “Magnetic Mountain”, is self-explanatory. Magnitogorsk is a mountain of iron ore, a natural giant magnet, black and mysterious. The magnetism which emanate from it is so powerful that life around it is doomed to feel discomfort. The pendulum of the clock, and the needle of the compass stop functioning, time and space become irrelevant notions. This, combined with the extraordinary pollution created by the intense industrial complex which has been established on this fantastic resource is making this area hostile to the livings.
The paradox of a place which, due to the purity and the strength of the magnetic energy, is so holy,
and at the same time so lethal, is the very foundation of the values of the Magnetosphere Prospecting
& Monitoring Program. Standing on top of it, being transfigured by its energy, and poisoned by its
air would be both a blessing, and a curse. is mountain, this paradox, stands as a true alternative in
spirits, and ways of understanding the nature of things, and ourselves, in relation to the scale of the
universe.
The magnetosphere is the representation of an energy that is permanently around us, that emanates from us, and travels through us and the universe. Magnetism is atemporal and eternal. e uninterrupted ow of energy is providing balance and permanence to a universe in constant transformation. Energy has no beginning, and no end, it does not know space and time, it only exist.
Magnitogorsk is a place where the magnetosphere becomes palpable. It is a place where maybe, an enlightened spirit could reach the immensity of the universal energy. It is a place that is physically unpleasant, polluted, poisonous, potentially lethal, but it is a place of unmeasurable spirituality. It is a place that deserve to be paid tribute to. It is a platform for an alternative future.
The magnetosphere is the representation of an energy that is permanently around us, that emanates from us, and travels through us and the universe. Magnetism is atemporal and eternal. e uninterrupted ow of energy is providing balance and permanence to a universe in constant transformation. Energy has no beginning, and no end, it does not know space and time, it only exist.
Magnitogorsk is a place where the magnetosphere becomes palpable. It is a place where maybe, an enlightened spirit could reach the immensity of the universal energy. It is a place that is physically unpleasant, polluted, poisonous, potentially lethal, but it is a place of unmeasurable spirituality. It is a place that deserve to be paid tribute to. It is a platform for an alternative future.
Artworks for printed textiles and graphics for MPMP’s F/W 2012-13 collection
As part of my role in the Magnetosphere Prospecting and Monitoring Program (MPMP), I created a set of photo collages destined to be printed on textiles for the confection of garments and accessories. I also created a set of graphics, which illustrates some values, or statements of the brand.
The images display natural elements. The lifelessness of the composition is meant to evoke ex temporalty and universality. The non directionality of the artworks aim at disturbing the perception of space. Irrelevancy of spacio-temporal notions, polarity, are key points of MPMP’s creative concept.
The images display natural elements. The lifelessness of the composition is meant to evoke ex temporalty and universality. The non directionality of the artworks aim at disturbing the perception of space. Irrelevancy of spacio-temporal notions, polarity, are key points of MPMP’s creative concept.
The followings are a set of graphics I created to illustrates some values, or statements of the project.
MPMP at Wuhao space in Beijing
MPMP Paris Show-room
CATAPHOTE, a collection with textiles from another universe.
Designing the Magnitogorsk collection involved
making research in experimental fabrics,
which reflects lights and concepts.
making research in experimental fabrics,
which reflects lights and concepts.
THE MAGNETIC LANDSCAPE
MPMP
My Magnetosphere is eternal and therefore, through my Magnetosphere, I am Eternity.
In 2011, I worked with Katrin Reinfurt on a project which became MPMP, the Magnetosphere Prospecting and Monitoring Program. The idea was to create an entity which would use every mean of creation to state a set of values and ideas, which are extensively explained on MPMP's official website. MPMP has activities in fashion, art, product design...
My Magnetosphere is eternal and therefore, through my Magnetosphere, I am Eternity.
In 2011, I worked with Katrin Reinfurt on a project which became MPMP, the Magnetosphere Prospecting and Monitoring Program. The idea was to create an entity which would use every mean of creation to state a set of values and ideas, which are extensively explained on MPMP's official website. MPMP has activities in fashion, art, product design...
The magnetosphere is the representation of an energy that is permanently around us, that emanates from us, and travels through us and the universe. Magnetism is atemporal and eternal. The uninterrupted flow of energy is providing balance and permanence to a universe in constant transformation.
Energy has no beginning, and no end, it does not know space and time, it only exist.
Magnetic Landscape - An installation at Wuhao, Beijing
Enclosed in a pastiche mountain made of boulders, on a stone platform, was a dry pond. The place seemed to be waiting for something extraordinary to happen. MPMP intervened to set it’s visionary installation in this context. The installation consists in a metallic lake, perfect mirror covering the 15m2 of the old pond, and which shape follows its wavy shore. On top of this surface, we erected two completely identical monoliths. They are faceted blocks of sleekly polished stainless steel, silver mirror for the faces facing inward the lake, black mirror for those facing outward. The monoliths are large at the base (35cm x 100cm hexagonal base) and becomes a 60cm long blade on the top edge, at the height of 2 meters.
The combination of those multiple mirrors, creates an environment where all the elements surrounding (sky, rocks, trees,...) are being reflected and appear in surprising positions. When one enter the installation, the complexity of the reflexions, and the fact that even the floor is a mirror, are challenging the notion of space. It is possible to stare at a mirror and not being able to see one’s own reflection but to see instead some rocks in the sky, while stepping, on a cloud. Some elements disappear, while some others are infinitely repeated.
Enclosed in a pastiche mountain made of boulders, on a stone platform, was a dry pond. The place seemed to be waiting for something extraordinary to happen. MPMP intervened to set it’s visionary installation in this context. The installation consists in a metallic lake, perfect mirror covering the 15m2 of the old pond, and which shape follows its wavy shore. On top of this surface, we erected two completely identical monoliths. They are faceted blocks of sleekly polished stainless steel, silver mirror for the faces facing inward the lake, black mirror for those facing outward. The monoliths are large at the base (35cm x 100cm hexagonal base) and becomes a 60cm long blade on the top edge, at the height of 2 meters.
The combination of those multiple mirrors, creates an environment where all the elements surrounding (sky, rocks, trees,...) are being reflected and appear in surprising positions. When one enter the installation, the complexity of the reflexions, and the fact that even the floor is a mirror, are challenging the notion of space. It is possible to stare at a mirror and not being able to see one’s own reflection but to see instead some rocks in the sky, while stepping, on a cloud. Some elements disappear, while some others are infinitely repeated.
The installation was set in the garden of Wuhao in Beijing, and stood there during the course of the winter 2011-12
MPMP™ Official Website
LE DIVAN
2007 - 2011
The studio which I built with Tony St Hua is called Le Divan. It is the place we made (then relocated, and reinvented, several times) to be home to our experimentation in art and design (photography, fashion, furniture, graphics, painting, )
In French, the word “Divan”, refers to the couch traditionally used by psychologist. Peoples would lay on that couch, and starts exploring their inner life, speaking about their emotions, feelings and thoughts.
The studio which I built with Tony St Hua is called Le Divan. It is the place we made (then relocated, and reinvented, several times) to be home to our experimentation in art and design (photography, fashion, furniture, graphics, painting, )
In French, the word “Divan”, refers to the couch traditionally used by psychologist. Peoples would lay on that couch, and starts exploring their inner life, speaking about their emotions, feelings and thoughts.
Everybody needs every now and then, to take a trip in the depth of it’s own mind. Taking a look
at unsolved issues, cleaning up the mess, finding inspiration in one’s own experience, and finding
one’s right place and relation with oneself, and the world. In short, having a face to face and cards
on the table conversation with oneself. It is an essential process, but it is not a natural, or an easy
one.
For creative minds, putting words on feelings and emotions is not always the best way to earn con- sciousness about them, nor to express them.
As many creative peoples did before us, we realized that the practice of a totally liberated creative practice, was worth the best possible psychotherapy. The introspection, and the creative works, forms a beneficial ring. Creating liberates the mind, and is an invitation to more thinking. More thinking, in a liberated mind, creates opportunity for creation, provides inspiration and brings us to discover more potential in the depth of our minds.
More than just the name of our studio, “Le Divan” describes the process of our creation. We mentally lay down on that, and plunge the depth of our emotions and ideas, in order to extract and express our artistic vision.
For creative minds, putting words on feelings and emotions is not always the best way to earn con- sciousness about them, nor to express them.
As many creative peoples did before us, we realized that the practice of a totally liberated creative practice, was worth the best possible psychotherapy. The introspection, and the creative works, forms a beneficial ring. Creating liberates the mind, and is an invitation to more thinking. More thinking, in a liberated mind, creates opportunity for creation, provides inspiration and brings us to discover more potential in the depth of our minds.
More than just the name of our studio, “Le Divan” describes the process of our creation. We mentally lay down on that, and plunge the depth of our emotions and ideas, in order to extract and express our artistic vision.
TORMENT
Le Divan - 2008 Spring-Autumn collection
Overwhelmed sentry
Flesh or soul on a journey
Flocks of clouds whirling
Change is underway,
Spring or Fall I cannot tell
I am here to stay
No peace will come from
Resting rock and brutal flows
Neither will Torment
