ED² had the pleasure to work on such a project with two designer-artist, Serge Mouangue and Eric Charles-Donatien, who envisioned a harmony between Africa and Japan, entitled ‘Hanekaze”

To create this one-off piece involved stepping outside of our daily working comfort zone and venturing into the unknown.

We know lifting anything large is easier with the help of others. The same is true for ideas. In fact, all those who have influenced humanities history have worked together. John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s partnership was the driving force that changed popular music forever. Society today would not be where it is if it were not for collaboration.

Collaborative work often transcends the result of its creators. The right dose of imagination, technical skill, teamwork and out-of-the-box thinking, helps create innovative works of art that captivates its audience. These valuable resources would remain untapped, if we were not to venture out, often away from our comfort zones, and seek the perspectives of others.

ED² had the pleasure to work on such a project with two designer-artists, Serge Mouangue and Eric Charles-Donatien, who envisioned a harmony between Africa and Japan, entitled “Hanekaze” or “Feather-Wind” as part of our WAfrica project. Hanekaze is currently exhibited in the Maison de la Culture du Japon in Paris.

ED² modellers ability to enhance the imagination of others is a rewarding skill. Serge shared his idea for a sculpture and described the symbolic meaning of using white African feathers that would adorn its surface. Visualizing his concept lay the foundation to build a large 5 m2; self-levitating, chicken-wire skeleton that was lightweight enough to oscillate slightly as if floating in the wind.

The complex characteristics of its desired shape, expanse, supportive strength and yet remain invisible was challenging. To create this one-off piece involved stepping outside of our daily working comfort zone and venturing into the unknown.

Eric, a feather master, then enhanced our metal frame by creating a vortex of feathers at the front of the sculpture that transitioned through to dissipate at its end. His expertise feather work and artistic license brought life to the large metal creature. Although Hanekaze’s role of shaping humanities future is perhaps a little far-fetched, collaborative artistic projects such as Hanekaze do. It brings a richness of new perspectives, technical processes, creative thinking and teamwork, essential in driving personal development and uniting fellow creative visionaries.

Our differences unite us and make us stronger. I believe we get better each day when we challenge each other and ourselves.