’Lignes d’Ombres’: Mobilab’s latest showcase is a creative meeting of minds
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Commissioning two unique creative studios to create two different works and then showcasing the results together in one space could surely be a recipe for disaster. But happily, when the creatives in question are photographer Daniela Droz and ECAL graduates Thevoz-Choquet, the result is a harmonious meeting of minds. Currently on show at Mobilab, a space in Lausanne, Switzerland that strives to bridge the gap between art, collectable editions and functional pieces of design, 'Lignes d'Ombres' is the the latest in the gallery’s ‘Design Series’ – a set of exhibitions dedicated to pairing up two strong and unique designers or artists.
'The selection is of course based on the creators’ work, but also on their personality,’ says Herard, Mobilab founder and owner, of his selection process. 'It’s really important to me that these elements can meet – I then form a partnership of participants according to the proximity or opposition of their work. Above all though, the synergy has to be about passion, desire and pleasure – both with the result and the process.'
Following on from the previous two 'Design Series' exhibitions (photographer Nicolas Delaroche exhibited alongside graphic designer Camille Sauthier in January 2015 and artist Simon Deppierraz with photographer Tonatiuh Ambrosetti in May 2015) the third exhibition has resulted in Apophenie, a sharply-angled metal and mirror sculpture by Droz and a series of perfectly poised marble and opalescent tube lamps by Thevoz-Choquet.
United by their clean geometric lines and clever manipulation of light, the new pieces mark global debuts for both studios. For Droz, whose work has often led her to experiment with the creation of ‘still life’ sets made from mirrors and plastics, Apophenie marks her first (commissioned) foray into sculpture design.
Made from metal and mirror, the kaleidoscopic structure is a scientific visual experiment that creates a different composition of intersecting lines, light and shadow depending on which side and angle it’s viewed from. A series of images shot by Droz that explore the piece from different angles are displayed alongside the sculpture.
Following on from their 2015 furniture and accessories collaboration with the marble experts at Italian manufacturer Bloc Studios (the results of which made it into our 2015 Design Directory in W*196), Virgile Thévoz and Joséphine Choquet used complex machining to create the pure spherical forms that each balance a glowing opalescent tube of light. Due to the natural colouring of the Carrara marble, the duo, who both completed ECAL’s Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship, have ensured that every piece is unique.
‘Both of them have a very clear and constructive approach to their creative efforts – no element left to chance, and everything is produced in an intelligent and thoughtful way,’ says Herard. ‘I like the idea that each edition is an adventure.’
’Lignes d’Ombres’ is the the latest in the gallery’s ‘Design Series’ – a set of exhibitions dedicated to pairing up two strong and unique designers or artists
This third exhibition has resulted in Apophenie (pictured hanging on the wall), a sharply-angled metal and mirror sculpture by Droz and a series of perfectly poised marble and opalescent tube lamps by Thevoz-Choquet (on the table)
For Droz, whose work has often led her to experiment with the creation of ‘still life’ sets made from mirrors and plastics, Apophenie marks her first (commissioned) foray into sculpture design. A series of images shot by Droz that explore the piece from different angles, are displayed alongside the sculpture
Made from metal and mirror, the kaleidoscopic structure is a scientific visual experiment that creates a different composition of intersecting lines, light and shadow depending on which side and angle it’s viewed from
Virgile Thévoz and Joséphine Choquet used complex machining to create the pure spherical forms that each balance a glowing opalescent tube of light
Due to the natural colouring of the Carrara marble, the duo have ensured that every piece is unique
INFORMATION
’Lignes d’Ombres’ will be on view until 11 June. For more information, visit the Mobilab website (opens in new tab)
Photography courtesy Mobilab
ADDRESS
Mobilab
Rue du Simplon 35
1006 Lausanne
VIEW GOOGLE MAPS (opens in new tab)
-
Oikos reimagines the door as ‘entrance architecture’
Italian security door manufacturer Oikos knows how to make an entrance
By Simon Mills • Published
-
Polestar 2 BST Edition 230 announced, a performance-focused limited edition
The Polestar 2 BST Edition 230 has been tuned and tweaked and set for a limited production
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
Ukrainian design comes to New York
Discover Ukrainian design with the Ukrainian Creators Fair at Skylight at Essex Crossing, New York
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
Supergraphics pioneer Barbara Stauffacher Solomon: ‘Sure, make things big – anything is possible'
94-year-old graphic designer Barbara Stauffacher Solomon talks radical typography, motherhood, and her cool welcome for St Moritz
By Jessica Klingelfuss • Published
-
Fluffy bunnies meet office politics in Nicolas Haeni’s photo series
To mark the Year of the Rabbit, we return down the rabbit hole of Swiss photographer Nicolas Haeni’s photography series, where mischievous bunnies infiltrate the humdrum of corporate life
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
The most surreal moments in Art Basel history, from taped bananas to wealth-ranking ATMs
As a wealth-ranking ATM stole hearts and headlines at Art Basel Miami 2022, we look back on the most controversial moments in the history of Art Basel
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Step inside the kaleidoscopic universe of Pipilotti Rist
Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist, who headlines Wallpaper’s November 2022 issue, has transformed the way we see, with a poetic yet playful practice spanning three decades. Here, and in a special portfolio, she reveals how she has liberated video art from its conventions, imbued the digital realm with emotion, animated public spaces, and harnessed the healing powers of colour
By Jessica Klingelfuss • Last updated
-
Olivia Arthur on expanding photography and minimising preconceptions
‘Through the lens’ is our monthly series that spotlights photographers who are Wallpaper* contributors. Here we explore the vision of Magnum photographer Olivia Arthur
By Sophie Gladstone • Last updated
-
Artist Julianknxx on poetry, dreams and Switzerland
Ahead of the New York showing of his major new film with Switzerland Tourism, we visit the studio of London-based poet and filmmaker Julianknxx
By Jessica Klingelfuss • Last updated
-
Jenny Holzer curates Louise Bourgeois: ‘She was infinite’
The inimitable work of Louise Bourgeois is seen through the eyes of Jenny Holzer in this potent meeting of minds at Kunstmuseum Basel
By Amah-Rose Abrams • Last updated
-
Biennale de l’Image en Mouvement: radical reflections on surreal times
At Centre d’Art Contemporain, Geneva, the Biennale de l’Image en Mouvement 2021 kicks off with group show ‘A Goodbye Letter, A Love Call, A Wake Up Song’, a full house of subversive moving image commissions
By Amah-Rose Abrams • Last updated