Designer Dive: Arik Levy's Multidisciplinary Design Ethos

Tagged with:Art and Design

More Than Just Rocks

To many, Arik Levy is the man who turned jagged geometry into high art with his iconic Rock series. But to look only at the rocks is to see just the tip of the iceberg.

Arik Levy is a prominent Paris-based designer and artist known for a prolific, multidisciplinary career that effortlessly bridges the gap between industrial design and fine art. Graduate of the Art Center Europe in Switzerland, Levy initially worked in graphic design and surfboard shaping before establishing his own studio, L Design, in Paris. His background is notably diverse; he has designed everything from contemporary dance sets and high-tech clothing to branding and furniture, refusing to be pigeonholed into a single creative category.

Arik Levy in his studio. (Source: Baccarat)

   

His signature aesthetic is often described as "techno-poetic," a term he uses to explain his desire to blend raw, industrial precision with emotional, human resonance. This philosophy is most famously embodied in his Rock series, faceted, geometric sculptures made from materials like mirror-polished stainless steel that appear both natural and digitally manipulated. In the realm of product design, he creates functional yet emotive pieces for major global brands, including the Wireflow and North lighting collections for Vibia, the Toolbox for Vitra, and the Intangible collection for Baccarat, all of which prioritize user experience and feeling over pure utility.

Arik Levy's Rock Sculpture Collection (Source: Arik Levy's Website)

   

Levy’s significance in the design world lies in his ability to humanize the artificial, insisting that "the world is about people, not objects." He challenges the traditional boundaries of the industry by treating industrial products with the conceptual depth of art, and conversely, applying rigorous design logic to his artistic sculptures. His work has influenced a shift towards softer, more organic office and domestic environments, proving that technical innovation and poetic expression can coexist to improve the quality of daily life.

   

Here are some of his collaborative design pieces:

 

1. Arik Levy x Lalique RockStone 40 Collection

Arik Levy with the Lalique Rockstone 40 Collection (Source: Arik Levy's Instagram, Photographer Florian Kleinefenn)

 

"RockStone 40 is inspired by man-made nature and my interpretation of the spatial dimension and the phenomenon of reflection, themes I have been exploring for a very long time. These pieces have been shown in numerous exhibitions, from Taipei to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and also installed on a permanent basis in public spaces. The idea of collaborating with Lalique was conceived after I was commissioned to create a sculpture in mirror-polished stainless steel for the garden of Villa René Lalique in Alsace. Lalique and I are kindred spirits: our work is bent on preserving as much of the sheer force of nature as possible."

The RockStone 40 Collection is currently available in 4 colours: Persepolis Blue, Lime Green, Dark Gray, and Lavender crystal colourways.

   

2. Arik Levy x Baccarat Tuile de Cristal Collection

Baccarat x Arik Levy's Tuile de Cristal Chandeliers can appeal to different aesthetics depending on lighting conditions and setups. (Source (Right): Arik Levy's Website)
   
   

Levy deconstructs the traditional chandelier into a single, modular component - the crystal tile - which are then assembled and arranged onto metal frames available in diameters of 50 cm, 69 cm, or 87 cm. The tiles come in two styles. 'Frozen' features chaotic, overlapping cuts for a playful, diffused light, whereas 'Picadilly' uses parallel vertical etchings to evoke the classic legacy of glass cutting of Baccarat's archives. The result is the Tuile de Cristal Collection, a highly functional lighting collection that can diffuses a lot of light and changes its appearance depending on lighting choices and conditions.

   

3. Arik Levy x Baccarat Torch Collection

The Baccarat Torch Table Lamp and the Torch Floor Reading Lamp is a surprisingly modern design which still features Baccarat iconic design elements.
   

The Torch Collection reimagines Baccarat's iconic Zénith collection with a modern imaginative twist. The usual of clean and simple metallic stands accentuates the Zénith crystal prisms, the iconic red octagonal crystal, and the clean, streamlined lampshade for a classy timeless look. The collection also includes several other fixture formats including a wall sconce and pendant light.

   

4.  Arik Levy x Baccarat Ellipse Chandelier

Again borrowing from the Zénith Collection, Levy reimagines the iconic chandelier with a different form. The Ellipse Chandelier with 16 lights takes the form of a delicate wave when seen from directly below. Replacing the classic curvatures with slightly staggered branches that evolve from round to oval through anamorphosis requires outstanding craftsmanship, 

   

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