Ice Age: Between Herculean Strength and Poetic Fragility
With this sculpture, I wanted to explore all the symbolism contained in an object as humble as an oak acorn. "Ice Age" is a work that operates on several levels of interpretation. It is first a playful nod to the ultimate object of desire from the animated film, but above all, it is a meditation on latent power: this small fruit contains within it all the future strength of the majestic oak.
By using metal lace, I sought to illustrate La Fontaine’s famous fable, "The Oak and the Reed." It reflects the duality between the rigid strength of the ancient tree and the flexibility necessary for survival. The acorn’s cupule, crafted in a dense steel texture, contrasts with the lighter body of the fruit, hinting at life eager to sprout. This is a piece from the Intimate collection that captures the essence of nature: a promise of a wooden and iron colossus, suspended in an extremely fine metallic mesh.
Steel base diameter 3.9 in Height 4.7 in - Width 5.5 in - Depth 4.7 in
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Why this reference to "Ice Age"? The work plays with the image of the acorn as a precious and elusive treasure. By transforming it into a metal sculpture, I freeze this symbol of quest and perseverance in an eternal material.
How is La Fontaine’s fable represented? It is expressed through the material work: steel represents the strength and rigidity of the oak, while the void at the heart of the lace evokes the lightness and flexibility that allow survival through time. It is the balance between the solid and the immaterial.
What metals make up this oak acorn? The sculpture is mainly made of steel fused drop by drop. Bronze shades may be integrated to highlight the texture difference between the cupule (the cap) and the acorn’s kernel, adding warm and natural reflections.
Is this a unique piece? Yes, absolutely. Each acorn is sculpted without a mold, by direct fusion (dripping). The design of the metal lace is the result of an instinctive gesture, making each example in this series completely unique and original.
How to display this sculpture in the round? Thanks to its fully three-dimensional form (in the round), it can be placed on a base, shelf, or desk. It invites handling and viewing from all angles to appreciate the play of light through its mesh.
