Yann Pariot







Le Doux Fruit de Nos Labeurs
2023 | Design | Québec, Canada


« My uncle is a farmer in the north of Auvergne in France. This place where I grew up is for me a source of great pride, however, I now find myself at odds with many of the habits and morals of my family. ‘Le Doux Fruit de Nos Labeurs’ (The Sweet Fruit of Our Labors) is a conceptual book exploring the nature of labor in rural areas as well as my relationship to my paternal family. The format is inspired by manuscripts from the Middle Ages and reuses a bistro chair as a support. The object is activated by turning a wooden crank embedded in the seat. The text and the illustrations are printed on canvas.The text mimics the graphic language of the encyclopedia, providing a naturalistic exploration of the language spoken in the Allier, while the surreal illustrations represent a more symbolic vision of the work. Ironically, the grotesque transformation of a chair’s seat robs it of its usefulness, but it still requires manual labor to be used.

Beyond the evident theme of labor in rural France, I believe my project raises intriguing questions about movement. The object exists in a paradoxical state, simultaneously static and in motion when activated by the user. Movement serves as a catalyst for comprehending the project, while also inviting contemplation of the potential negative consequences of perpetual motion. » 


Mark