A STARCK REALITY 05/27/08

Words :: Piero Facchin // Images :: Philippe Starck

The man has regrets. Regrets about having “been chosen” by design. One of the most prolific and “outside-the-box”-thinking designers of the last few decades, Philippe Starck feels that perhaps his contribution to humanity would have been perhaps more valuable spent in astrophysics or other noble scientific fields.
One has to read between the lines when talking with Philippe and realize his thought process is that of the inventor: an eclectic combination of the techniques of science and the poetics of art. With projects ranging from citrus squeezers and motorcycle design to body-fit clothes and space travel to eclectic hotel interiors, Monsieur Starck has definitely left his mark during his time here on earth. Not many designers can boast as much as Starck when it comes to the communicative aspect of his work. His regrets are misplaced…I think the global design community would agree.
From the first traces of life on Earth to space travel, elemente ventures into the ethereal inner workings of that which is Philippe Starck…

Piero Facchin :: You are in some ways a modern?day humanist with respect to contemporary design issues. Where does this fascination and will to design everything around you come from?

Starck :: It’s quite simple you see, we can explain this sense of duty otherwise; it’s just the mere fact about deserving to exist. I think that one of the simplest ways to answer this is to question the legitimacy of our existence; we are here to serve. Starting from this premise, there can be many ways to serve and this is why, above all, trades and professions exist. They exist to serve and not to accumulate personal fortunes. To serve, in the end, the fabulous story of the animal species which creates a civilization based on a completely and utterly poetic and romantic scenario in which everyone contributes, everyone plays out their own role as if on a theatrical stage, where every protagonist will have their chance to appear at one moment or another of this wonderful story which is, itself, enclosed within a beginning and an end, and which we all know, lasts eight billion years precisely, since the history of the world started four billion years ago and will end in four billion years…

Piero Facchin :: So it is a continuum then?

Starck :: It’s simply about harmony – in other words, the logical process. There is what appeared 4 billion years ago; beings had a dream about distinguishing themselves from the animal species, to take control and “upgrade” the rate of evolution. This is what constitutes the entire difference between our species and that of the animal world, this in turn lead to the creation of civilizations based on intelligence, creating intelligence. Therefore, when we are conscious of this, we cannot remain outside the game; we must participate as best we can. So there are the geniuses that bring mountains to civilization and there are people like me that bring a “grain of sand.”

Caryn Sturhan, designer/artist :: Do you consider yourself to be an innovator as far as expressing your ideas through objects and a particular design language?

Starck :: I must admit that it’s obviously given me a territory of expression which is entirely new. And yes, it is true that I somewhat pretentiously lay claim to the invention of a truly novel way of expression and communication. The projects on which I work are a vehicle to talk about “something else”, and this “something else” has principally as its subject our mutation, science, biology, politics, sex, flesh, sweat, love, romanticism, honesty, rigor, humour – for which, at times, we cannot even find the right words in our present-day society.

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