A closer look at the diamond cutter's creative process
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your artistic practice?
My artist name is Le Diamantaire. I live and work in Paris. I'm best known for the diamonds I stick in the street, made from recycled mirrors that I paint.
What is your background and how did you get into design?
I started sticking in the street in 2011. At the time, I wanted to return to the street, but not in the form of graffiti or stencils; I was looking for a stronger identity. So I chose my love of materials and my passion for graffiti. I felt that donating this strong symbol made of mirrors destined for the garbage can was a beautiful image of the fact that you can give things a second chance.
In your day-to-day work as an artist, what inspires you? What triggers the creation of a work?
For me, creation is like a puzzle. I draw on everything I encounter in my day-to-day life to create something new. Each piece I create is a step towards the next. At the moment, I'm very inspired by movement and color.
Can you explain how you go about creating your work? What are the different stages of creation?
In my creative system, the most important thing is the effect I want the sculpture to have. It's this effect that will predefine the aesthetics of the final work. From there, I try to enhance the desired effect. For fabrication, I draw everything on 3D software, which gives me a quick, detailed sketch. Then I can start fabrication in the workshop, cutting the steel sheets and the various mirrors. I assemble the steel and finally adjust the mirrors.