Soleil d’Artifice, 2023

Soleil d’Artifice is the result of VOTO XO’s collaboration with Goossens, jewelers and decorators, maison d’art within the 19M and Chanel. Not only jewelers but also creators of “space jewelry”, the Goossens house has opened its doors to us to create furniture using their unique savoir-faire.

Soleil d’Artifice is the name of a phenomenon that can be observed in a swarm of bees preparing to take flight after winter. It is a slow-motion ballet that announces the arrival of the sun and the start of the seasonal harvest. The subtle activation of a body, the articulation of solemn and gentle movements awakened by the sunshine inspires the whole atmosphere of this project.

This metaphor also made us think of the way solar ovens operate in the Eastern Pyrenees. We were inspired by these faceted buildings designed to harvest and concentrate the sun’s energy.

Made with Goossens & 19M in Paris, France
Images © Stéphane Ruchaud © Luc Bertrand

The collaboration with Goossens allowed us to imagine metal reflectors, inspired by these solar oven sunscreens, faceted and concave concentrating light and energy. Put together, these articulated objects suddenly look like an invisible body in armor, protected by a golden embossed metallic shell. The Armoire Armure cabinet and the window display respond to each other, both diffusing and reflecting silver and gold lights.