Dear Shaded Viewers,
Thibault Hazelzet, born in 1975, is a French experimental artist residing in Paris. Originally trained as a painter, Hazelzet has broadened his artistic horizons to encompass photography, sculpture, and more recently, metalwork. His current projects include crafting jewelry and design pieces that merge ceramics with metals such as bronze, aluminum, and silver. His work is distinguished by a style he describes as “delicate brutalism,” which intricately balances abstraction with figuration. Despite employing a variety of materials, Hazelzet’s creations consistently exhibit a unified aesthetic, underscoring his fascination with the interaction between different artistic mediums.
Driven by a quest to explore diverse forms of artistic expression, Hazelzet transitioned from painting to other mediums like photography and sculpture. His photographic work is marked by unconventional techniques that challenge traditional views of reality, involving the manipulation of negative prints and the use of reflections and textures to invent rather than capture reality. This innovative approach naturally led him to sculpture, where he continues to integrate techniques across different mediums to produce unique, cohesive artworks. Hazelzet’s journey through various materials and techniques demonstrates his dedication to expanding the boundaries of his artistic practice.
Experimentation is central to Hazelzet’s artistic process. His work is characterized by a continuous exploration of multiple media, including photography, sculpture, painting, and metalwork. Hazelzet meticulously designs and executes every stage of his creations, resulting in unique, handmade pieces crafted in his studio. His evolution from painting to photography and sculpture reflects his commitment to redefining traditional artistic practices and inventing new realities. This experimental approach allows him to blend techniques from various mediums, creating a dialogue that leads to innovative and cohesive artworks.
Hazelzet faces several challenges when experimenting with new mediums. A significant challenge is the need to design and execute all stages of creating each piece, which requires an in-depth understanding of the materials and techniques involved. This process demands a high level of craftsmanship and innovation, as each piece is handmade and unique, produced exclusively in his studio. Additionally, transitioning between different mediums, such as from photography to sculpture, involves adapting techniques from one form to another, which can be complex and time-consuming. Hazelzet’s approach of inventing rather than replicating reality adds another layer of complexity, necessitating constant experimentation and refinement to achieve the desired artistic expression.
Later,
Diane
