Lacking orders for clothing, the lacemakers of Calais-Caudry had to find new outlets. What if this craft helped save the planet? Passionate about the beauty of coral, sculptor Jérémy Gobé has long wondered how his art could save these animals devastated by climate change. “ In 2017, I came across the marine motif of Puy lace; there, the links between
both seemed obvious to me, says the artist. We’re talking about coral tissue, industrial fabric, living heritage… And then the coral, like lace, was dying, I said to myself that both of them must necessarily be able to help each other. » As an autodidact, Jérémy Gobé draws on scientific literature, observes, then develops a research protocol. His idea, which he calls Corail Artefact, consists of using lace as a net to collect coral larvae and then as a growth support. “ The lace is rough, supple and openwork at the same time. It has the ideal characteristics! »
Sculpture: the giants of Monaco by Michel Bassompierre
Block reproductive cells
Just before the Covid crisis, the meeting with Christophe Machu, the director of Solstiss, one of the Caudry factories, allowed the project to enter a new dimension. “ Jérémy provided us with a very simple drawing of aligned concentric circles which resemble the skeleton of a coral and which facilitate the passage of water while blocking the reproductive cells, says the manager of Solstiss. I was immediately seduced by his ability to think about an artistic project, to intellectualize it and to realize it in an industrial way. And I needed to diversify my products. » But what thread should I use to weave this lace? Jérémy Gobé wants a material entirely produced in France, without any impact on nature, neither at its creation nor at its end of life. New dive into the scientific literature, new experiences. The inventor artist thinks about alloys, analyzes the elements and their properties. He selects those he needs and applies his recipe. And it works. Its biopolymer is designed using marine bacteria fed with different juices which are then polymerized to obtain a solid material, conducive to the development of coral. Several aquariums, such as that of Paris or Nausicaá, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, already use his inventions.
