To identify oneself in a profession is often much simpler than to defend a free status which escapes limited definition. Current design is a universe which is more and more multifaceted. A society that mixes needs and desires, dreams and reality, can only generate multiple expressions, diversified, faceted and complex objects.
Raphaël Charles (1979) is – by his own definition, a self-educated creator of objects. Far from being the result of a “materialistic” desire, his creations are born rather from the need to materialise the desire to put into perspective fast evolution, a hyperconsumerism of ideas, things, time…The object suspends time, is positioned in space like an interface and produces lasting relations.
Raphaël creates in the pure sense of the word. Through a cognitive and experimental act, which repeats itself every time, in an unlimited and open evolution, he gives life to materials, shapes and functions. It’s through an artistic impulse that the object takes form. The material, the shapes and the functions are born out of an independent and genius-like impulse. Through their poetic, new functional and seductive qualities, Raphael’s creations raise questions, challenge, affect and involve the observer and/or the user. Rather than static objects, they are more like experiences that involve all the senses.
Whether they are ambiguous creations, trompe-l’oeil or perceptive games, the material and the function are being reinvented in the framework of a philosophy which goes beyond the mere consumer goods. Design here is a transformation and conversion of its original use. A coal rug or a melting ring… Raphaël’s objects transcends the parameters of reality. He could be using an inadequate material in relation to normal use (the coal for a rug), or a technical process (the coal made in foam) or a shape (a ring that drips after the fusion with the resin, looking like an “unfinished” product, stopped, frozen in the moment of its creation). The objects then become sensory provocations, contradictory suggestions and ”surreal” compositions, in the sense that they leave open the option between the use or contemplation.
Raphaël creates sculptures that can be used but at the same time make you question the concept of usefulness. What is a useful object? His creations are impossible to classify because they appeal to everyone and on all levels: artistic design or functional art? Or more simply a desire to create objects which are born out of observation and that can be observed. The usefulness becomes an option. The wish is to seduce.
Giovanna Massoni
Journaliste, curatrice et historienne de l'art
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Expositions collectives (sélections)
2007
Etnikart, Liège, Belgique
Design Brussels, Table Talk, Bruxelles, Belgique
White Hotel, Room 44 A Custumised, Bruxelles, Belgique
Dynamo Young design award, Bruxelles, Belgique
White Hotel, Designers RDV, Bruxelles, Belgique
Design Week, Designers Open Doors, Bruxelles, Belgique
Brussels Fashion Fair, Bruxelles, Belgique
2008
Intérieur, Design Competition, Courtrai, Belgique
Brussels Day, Berlin, Allemagne
Biennale du design, [é]vocations, Liège, Belgique
Design September, Designers Open Doors, Bruxelles, Belgique
100% London, Londres, Angleterre
ICFF, New York, USA
Salon du Meuble “OFF”, zona tortona, Milan, Italie
IMM, Cologne, Allemagne
2009
Galerie Colombari, Pavillon des Arts et du Design, Londres, Angleterre
Salone del Mobile, Satellite, Milan, Italie
IMM, finalist [d3] Contest, Cologne, Allemagne
2010
Design September, La Belgique des Autres, La Cambre Horta, Bruxelles,
Belgique
Second hand second life, avec Damien Gernay (Dustdeluxe), Bruxelles,
Belgique
Biennale de Design de Liège, Design Nature, Liège, Belgique
Intérieur, Design Competition, Courtrai, Belgique
Design September, Borders, Bruxelles, Belgique
Next Level Galerie, Paris, France
Grand Hornu, Le Fabuleux Destin du quotidien, Mons, Belgique
Next Level Galerie, Paris, France
2011
Belgian Spirit, Hong Kong, Chine
Second hand second life, avec Mathias Van de Walle, Bruxelles, Belgique
Next Level Galerie, New space opening, Paris, France
Label, Charleroi 1911-2011, Charleroi, Belgique
Mint Galerie, Mint Explores, Londres, Angleterre
Maison & objets, "Now", Paris, France
Design Vlaanderen Galerie, The New Harvest, Bruxelles, Belgique
Design Vlaanderen Galerie, Prijs Beesten, Bruxelles, Belgique
Bangkok Art and Culture Center, Dialogues, Bangkok, Thaïlande
DMY, Berlin, Allemagne
Salone del Mobile, Satellite, Milan, Italie
Next Level Galerie, Pavillon des Arts et du Design, Paris, France
Next Level Galerie, Chic Art Fair, Paris, France
2012
Maison & Objets, "Now", Paris, France
For Four, Halle, Belgique
Next level galerie, Slick Art Fair, Bruxelles, Belgique
Smo Gallery, Design Week, Beyrouth, Liban
Smo Gallery, Beirut Art Fair, Beyrouth, Liban
Tales of Heroes, Helinski, Finlande
Biennale du Design, Tales of Heroes, Liège, Belgique
Biennale du Design, Memorabilia, Liège, Belgique
Biennale du Design, Reciprocity, Liège, Belgique
Bois et Habitat, Namur, Belgique
Biennale du Design, L'Objet d'un Dialogue, St Etienne, France
Design September, Open Doors Studio With a View, Bruxelles, Belgique
Spazio Rosana Orlandi, Design Week, Milan, Italie
Belgian Spirit, Maison Caro, Hong kong, Chine
Design Blabla, Mogg, Roselaere, Belgique
Smo Gallery, Design Days, Dubaï, Emirats arabes unis
2013
Smo Gallery, Meet my project, New-York, USA
National pop up store, Bruxelles, Belgique
Talente, Munich, Allemagne
Salone del Mobile, Satellite, Milan, Italie
Design Week, Trienale Milan, The Tool Box, Milan, Italie
Design Week, Madrid, Espagne
Cosi Corner, Bastogne, Belgique
A Materia das Nuvens, Sao Paulo, Brésil
A Poesia das Formas, Sao Paulo Brésil
Design Vlaanderen Galerie, The Tools Box, Bruxelles, Belgique
Design September, Smets Premium Store, Bruxelles, Belgique
Design September, Back from Milan, Bruxelles, Belgique
Maison & Objets, "Now", Paris, France
Wood Mood , Milan, Italie
The House of Belgian Spirit, Liparus, Hong kong, Chine
Design Week, Centre Wallonie Bruxelles, La Matière des Nuages, Paris, France
Mazel Galerie, Made in Brussels, Bruxelles, Belgique
Awards
Henry Van de Velde Label 2011 pour la table « Multiple », Bruxelles, Belgique
Mention Spéciale Bois & Habitats 2010 pour la table « Multiple », Namur, Belgique
Mention Spéciale Design Report Award, salon Satellite 2009 pour le tapis « 20/30 », Milan, Italie
Prix Vitra, Interieur Design Competition 2008, pour le tapis « 20/30 », Courtrai, Belgique
Collections publiques
Tapis « 20/30 », Musée du Grand Hornu, Mons Belgique
Table Multiple, collection famille royale de Belgique, Bruxelles, Belgique
Bibliographie
Addict, Research on Ecodesign, World 2,0
Design after Modernism, furniture and interiors, 1970-2010, Judith Gura, édition norton &
company
Bois et Design dans le mobilier, Laurence Duca & Rémy Peyrard, édition Eyrolles
Le Fabuleux destin du quotidien, MAC's Grand Hornu Image, Arts et Design
Belgian's best design 1900-2013, Hadewijch Ceulemans, édition Luster
