Hypolite Martin

Program : The project is a claustra with console made of stained solid ash wood and lacquer decorations. My project was exhibited at the Institut du Monde Arabe and aims to introduce visitors to the art of hospitality in the United Arab Emirates, through olfaction and oud wood, thus forging lasting cultural links. In addition to serving as a discovery space, the claustra also features a console, and its aesthetic is inspired by my trip in Djeddah (2023). This piece embodies a shared commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue and creating enriching experiences for visitors. Here, I have engaged in a dialogue between craftsmanship and olfaction, questioning the craftsman’s relationship with the material and the demands it makes on him. The work I’ve done goes beyond basic know-how, requiring me to question craftsmanship, design, science and perfumery. Oud wood is the point of convergence between material, olfaction and exception, and brings the visitor into the intimacy of the Arab home. This enabled me to make the decor a tool for cultural and territorial rapprochement between France and the United Arab Emirates. The oud wood fumigations and the sensitive decor forge the olfactory and visual memories of visitors

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