CzechDesign.cz

Veronika Loušová · Jan Vyškovský – 19.12.2005

Our readers will have an opportunity to meet the designers Eva Polachová and Marcel Mochal in DESIGN CORSO showroom at the corner of Thámova and Křižíkova streets in Karlin (Prague 8) very close to Křižíkova Metro station.

On 22 December 2005 from 12:00 noon to 24:00 midnight, both artists will be producing Christmas decorations from wood vernier, which will be available for sale on the spot. Our visitors will also be able to make their own designs under the guidance of the two artists.

This event will include free tasting offer from Fair Trade to all visitors: high quality genuine chocolate and cups of hot cofee. All these products were made in in developing countries under organic, non-chemical conditions and under good social standards for the workers.

How do you view your diploma thesis with the benefit of hindsight?

Eva: My basin has been on display for over a year in the Laufen Bathroom Gallery where I currently work and so I have an opportunity to view it together with customers almost daily. It is interesting to hear their genuine opinions and reactions without them even suspecting that the author stands before them. And such experience can be brought about only by the reality itself.

Marcel: My granny says: „Every job you do, do with love“. This conviction exactly describes the feelings with which I was producing my final work. Its purpose was to make a continuous link with the haptic feelings which I had an oportunity to develop at my Art Academy. And to continue my own way amongst the good people in Glass Studio. This has really meant a lot to me.

How did LLEV transfer from the student environment into the real world?

The tasks given to us by life so far are and always will be like a school excercise. You shoot with live ammunition and if you miss you fall down to the ground just like in a duel. This struggle is interesting even if you lose. We are learning how to listen, we are learning like small children who can allready write, but they will be learning how to read all their lives.

Last year you created two collections of shaped glass in collaboration with the Jablonex Group. What has brought you to this specific material?

Marcel: I had avoided this type of glass before. For me it was merely an unnecessary collection of glass animals (typical for Czech glass production from Železný Brod) I was not alowed to play with as a child. And when I was fourteen and had to make a decision what to study I resolutely refused to study something like that. Until I entered the building of the Železný Brod art school. The atmosphere of this school building will swallow you up and won´t let you go.

Is LLEV planning any surprises for next year?

We are now working on a secret project for our main contractor. And we will let ourselves be surprised by the result. We can only reveal that they will be products wich will please people born in 1948, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1982, 1983, 1984,1994, 1995, 1996… etc.

What is specific for your studio?

Love for nature. And it is true. Natural materials are the foundation stones for us, which determine the form of our imaginations. Our main goal is to understand the material and be able to use it correctly. This way we have created the Bretagne soap holders made from slate, and the Mimy and Fido glass objects for the ZBS Concept collection.

How do you spend Christmas? Are you a captive of design even during Christmas? Do you bake design cookies?

We spend Christmas like anybody else. With our family and the best vanilla crescent cookies, which do not need any further shape innovation. They happen to be just perfect.

Eva Polachová

born 16 April1978 in Ostrava, Czech Republic

Education

Study stays

Marcel Mochal

born 21 February 1978 in Turnov, Czech Republic

Education

Study stays

The Studio LLEV (MarceL MochaL EVa Polachová) product design was created by merging the life journeys of Eva Polachová and Marcel Mochal at the end of 2004.

Eva completed her studies at AAAD (VŠUP) with Her Diploma Thesis which was titled „Exclusive basin as a solitaire for exceptional space“. Her diploma work was supported by the Jika a Chlumčanské keramické závody (ceramic works).

Marcel´s diploma thesis was focused on research in the area of design applied in the household. This project culminated in the creation of a collection of decorated fusion glass.