Interview by Madeleine Jelstrupp
Interview: Jean-Charles de Castelbajac's travels, an antidote to the gloom
Meet the visionary artist who created the paramentique for Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral and made the angels fly on the walls.
Her first creations? A coat cut from his boarding-school blanket and clothes made from mops, which launched the concept of up-cycling. Since the late 1970s, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac has always been one step ahead, lighting up the art and fashion worlds with his joyful, childhood-inspired graphics. An antidote to the gloom, the work of this protean artist, who defines himself as "an enormous faceted ball of creation with thousands of reflections, a planet of curiosity", is being displayed for the first time on the walls of Paris as he sows his angels everywhere along the way. He is the artist chosen to create the paramentique of Notre Dame de Paris for its reopening on December 8. Interview.
Tell us about your latest news.
I've installed an Ange géographe at 184, boulevard Saint-Germain, in the Square Taras-Chevtchenko, Paris 6.e. It s'acts'a 15m-high trellis sculpture on the wall of the Société de Géographie. The Angel holds the globe in his hands, truly the prince of travelers. He'll be in this square forever, or at least for a long time. I've also been chosen to create the paramentique that will be worn for the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, and for all feast days thereafter.What does the word "travel" mean to you?
Inhale, breathe. Travelisthe spark that ignitesanidea. There are two journeys: the visible and the invisible, where I immerse myself in the history oftheplaces I pass through.
What would be your definition of the ideal trip?
A cultural quest, a carefree oasis, a vivifiante experience.
What's your first travel memory?
My first travel memory isofleaving Casablanca at the age of 6 to come to France. It wasn't much of a change of scenery, as there were palm trees and tenderness on both sides.
Tell us about a memorable trip.
At 23, I hadared sequined Harley-Davidson Duo-Glide, with white flancs tires. I headed south from Paris in my Perfecto. I crossed Provence, the Cinque Terre, Tuscany, and came home. I have a magnific, sensory memoryofit: every place, every town had its own perfume and light.
Your last trip?
As late as possible.What's in your luggage? And the must-have item in your suitcase?
I take withmedrawings, notebooks, colored sheets for making cut-outs, scissors, glue, a photo of those I love, books that speak in a dreamlike way of the countries I'm traveling through, and definitively a little music base to listen to the sound I likeintune with the landscapes. I bring back sand in my pockets, salt in my hair, sun in my eyes and memories in my heart. Boxes of chalk to draw angels in all the towns I pass through, and a flag to caress the wind (as indispensable).
Do you prefer trunks, suitcases, travel bags or no luggage?
I have long been a traditional bag Goyard bag, which I had customized with cartoons. Today, I'm a suitcase, with a Rimowa in a perfect khaki color. In fact, I'd love todesignone for this brand.
Globe-trotter or immobile traveler?
Animmobile journey on a daily basis, since that's what I do for a living. This motionless travel means building a panel of dreams that I offertoothers as emotional experiences. I'm not much of a globetrotter, but if I were to choose destinations, they would be inhabited by history,like Cartagena, Zanzibar, Pondicherry or Timbuktu.
Beach or asphalt?
I'm both. With Pauline and Eugénie, my wife and my fille, the most offbeat places also suit me.
Your favourite destinations and hotels?
A short tour of the port of Amalfi, a wonderful placewheretime stands still.The Ciprianiin Asolo, Veneto, and the l'Hôtel de l'Abbayein Paris, for its secret garden. Le Donjonin Étretat, where I helped with the sets.
Your favorite Saint Germain addresses?
Taras-Chevtchenko square, opposite the Ange géographe, with an ice cream from Angiolo; the Café de Floreon the second floor, for souvenirs; Lipptable 14; Yena delicious Japanese restaurant on rue Saint-Benoît; and enfin the bookshop L'Écume des pagesa wonderful island of writing.
What's the best travel tip you'd give Plume Travelss readers?
Travel in good company,choose destinations where authenticity has not succumbed to temptation.
Follow Jean-Charles de Castelbajac 's news on his Instagram page or on his designer page.
