Made with a eye on the future
- Alexandre handcrafts furniture to last several generations
- By working closely with his clients, he translates emotion into tangible objects
- He uses digital tools to support his work as a craftsman
When furniture maker Alexandre Lowie sets to work, he goes all the way to create meaningful pieces that can stand the test of time. “If today we still admire a piece of furniture from the past, it is because it has true meaning thanks to its symbolism, combination of techniques, rare use of materials or another original approach,” he says. “That is what I try to do: to make relevant pieces that can be restored later, by a future generation.” To achieve this, Alexandre combines traditional techniques and new aesthetics, always using noble materials that age well. In his making process, he engages intensely with his clients. “By listening attentively, I can make furniture that creates a warm and joyful environment full of memories to be made. I feel that through my craft, I translate a feeling, an emotion in a haptic sense, full of dreams and wonder,” explains the craftsman.
INTERVIEW
When my father asked me as a 16-year-old adolescent, in a bistro in the countryside, what my dream for the future was, without considering any limits. I answered that I wanted to create atmospheres, interiors, objects, together with people who are as passionate as me.
It was a furniture piece for the interior of a very special boat, a replica of an 18th-century barge that was drawn by horses, made entirely by hand. I made the furniture that was installed in the back, where the owner of the boat sits and welcomes guests.
When we do a difficult gluing, I always put on the same music album, to enter the right frame of mind – Voodoo by D’Angelo. It is safe to say that I know the album by heart.
Always push your boundaries. Always go further and deeper. Learn from the best and do not be content with mediocre work. Listen to yourself, to what you want to create. Explore other cultures, other ways of making and thinking, to obtain a full knowledge of furniture making.
