Additively manufactured lace sculptures by Agnès Geoffray on show
October 20, 2023
As part of its Beautés exhibition, the public art institution FRAC Auvergne has installed three metal additively manufactured sculptures by Agnès Geoffray that form part of a project which specifically focuses on pieces of clothing that restrict the body. The stainless steel pieces were additively manufactured by AddUp Inc, based in Cébazat, France.
Agnès Geoffray stated, “As part of the Frac Auvergne residency and AddUp partnership, I wanted to create sculptures using 3D metal printing technology. The project involves stiffening lace collar motifs dating from the 19th century, combining the beauty of these structures with the harshness of these constraining frames.”
“The expertise of the AddUp company, which agreed to collaborate on the project in partnership with FRAC Auvergne, has enabled me to create these unique sculptures, and above all to open up new perspectives on volume in my work, in the continuity of my plastic research,” Geoffray added.
Jean-Charles Vergne, Director of FRAC Auvergne commented, “Laser-fused steel powder has patiently forged these irregular lace sculptures from 19th and 20th century models, some of which come from the collections of the Musée Crozatier in Le Puy-en-Velay. Preliminarily redesigned by jewellery designer Pascal Perun down to the finest detail, taking care to preserve the imperfections that ensure their complex beauty, they are the source of four highly delicate sculptures. Steel lace corseting the head of those who wear them, they are the seductive yet impenetrable protections of necklines, napes and throats that no charm or yoke can embrace without the consent of the woman who wears it. The armour melts into the perfect mimicry of elegant lace.”
Frank Moreau, CEO, AddUp, explained, “More than a questioning of the relationship between art and technology, the project was a powerful human encounter between a renowned artist, Agnès Geoffray, a recognised designer, Pascal Perun, and the AddUp design team – in particular Maria Averyanova and Aurelien Duvauchelle, who were in charge of the project.”
The relationship developed throughout the project, from the design of the laces modelled with software used by Pascal Perun in the field of fine jewellery, to the printing carried out on our machines and the post-processing phase, enabled us to create exceptional sculptures requiring cutting-edge expertise. We are proud to present these works as part of the Beautés exhibition, which brings together thirty-nine artists from the FRAC Auvergne collection. My deepest thanks go to Jean-Charles Vergne, Director of FRAC Auvergne, and his team, who initiated this magnificent adventure. Finally, my warmest thanks to Agnès Geoffray for daring to explore new forms of design. The trust she showed us enabled us to create these four fascinating sculptures, each of which will be produced in an edition of four,” Moreau concluded.
Read more from Metal AM magazine:
Additive Manufacturing for jewellery and watchmaking: Exploring the potential of sinter-based technologies
Innovation and differentiation: Precious metal Additive Manufacturing in the jewellery sector
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