Using Color as a Medium to Create Space and Emotion: All About French Architect Emmanuelle Moureaux
1. Business Name?
Emmanuelle Moureaux.
2. Where do you currently reside?
Tokyo since 1996.
3. Where are you from?
France.
Project : COLOR MIXING - Rotating colors. Mixing colors. Moving hearts -
for NSK 100th anniversary exhibition "SENSE OF MOTION"
Design : Emmanuelle Moureaux
Photograph : Daisuke Shima
4. Please describe your company?
Very colorful! My studio based in Tokyo uses color as a medium to create space. We work with no boundaries, always on a journey between different scales, from a small art piece to architecture, trying to give emotions to people with colors.Our representative works include architectural design for the Sugamo Shinkin Bank, art installations for UNIQLO and ISSEY MIYAKE, "100 colors" art installation series, and "Forest of Numbers" at The National Art Center, Tokyo.
Project : COLOR OF TIME
Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art & Design
The opening ceremony exhibition Part 2 "Art and Design, dialogue with materials"
Design : Emmanuelle Moureaux
Photograph : Daisuke Shima
5. Where did you study architecture?
In Bordeaux (France). After moving to Japan, I also studied by myself in order to get the Japanese Architect License.
6. Was there any artist or architect that influenced you?
I would say the fashion designer Issey Miyake. I love his concepts and the way he treats clothes as architecture in such a three-dimensional way. I have worked several times on installations for the brand and I love it.
Project : Forest of Numbers / The National Art Center, Tokyo
Design : Emmanuelle Moureaux
Photograph : Daisuke Shima
7. Please describe your style of design?
I use color as a medium to create space and emotion. With colors, I try to give emotions to people. Color can make people smile, give energy, joy, and most importantly they make people happy.
8. What are the steps in the design process?
When I start a project, I first decide the number of colors I will use (depending on the function, site and my inspiration) at the same time as I study the concept by writing and sketching. When the concept is decided, we create in my studio a lot of real scales models to feel the design with all senses.
Project : Forest of Numbers / The National Art Center, Tokyo
Design : Emmanuelle Moureaux
Photograph : Daisuke Shima
9. What project are you most proud of and why?
I would say my “100 colors” series which is a never ending project made for everyone. "100 colors" is an installation series began in 2013, for the 10th anniversary of my studio, which forms space using 100 shades of colors. In the daily life, people are usually not conscious about color. I want people to breathe and immerse in 100 shades of colors, to see colors, touch colors, and feel colors with all their senses.
Project : 100 colors / Shinjuku Central Park, Summer 2014
Architect /designer : emmanuelle moureaux (emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design)
Photograph : Daisuke Shima / Nacasa & Partners
10. Where do you get your inspiration from?
From the city of Tokyo, when I saw the cityscape of Tokyo for the first time, it was as if the first time I saw colors. The colors and layers I feel in Tokyo were the inspiration to my design concept of "shikiri", which means dividing (creating) space with colors: "I use colors as three-dimensional elements, like layers, in order to create spaces, not as a finishing touch applied to surfaces."
Project : Sugamo Shinkin Bank / Shimura branch open 2011/3
Architecture : emmanuelle moureaux (emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design)
Interior Design / Sign Design : emmanuelle moureaux (emmanuelle moureaux architecture + design)
Photography : Daisuke Shima / Nacasa & Partners Inc.
11. What do you like about living in Japan? How would you describe the architecture there?
The multitude of colors in the city, which gives me inspiration, joy and energy.
12. Motto in life?
"Whatever you do, do it with passion. Live with passion". Christian Dior
Design : Emmanuelle Moureaux architecture + design
13. Website and Social Media Info?
Website : www.emmanuellemoureaux.com/all
Instagram : @emmanuellemoureaux
Facebook : @emmanuellemoureauxstudio
Interview By Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
Street Talk supports emerging artist who merit being discovered with skills such as: dance, art, design, sculpture, architect, fashion trends, shop the look and fine art photography.
