finding beauty in impermanence with Ann Vincent
As we love to set the mood, we teamed up with multidisciplinary Ghent-based artist Ann Vincent to complement a few of our favorite records with her hand-sculpted candles. With their organic shapes and soft earthy tones, they almost look too perfect to burn. But the magic is in the burning.
Just like a good record comes with its own unexpected twists and turns, the candles slowly change in shapes and forms as they burn. What better way to enjoy listening to a record than with a candle slowly burning both steadily and strong. An invitation to take your time, listen closely and give your full attention to the littlest details.
Tell us why and how you decided to start making candles.
When I was studying photography, I made a scale model with wax and I found myself very intrigued by both the look and feel of the material and also with its transformative nature. The way it melts and hardens before my eyes in a matter of seconds.
With the leftovers of the material, I started experimenting. I wanted to create a sculptural object that can enter people’s homes as a functional object.
Candles don’t require a commitment to permanence, which make them very accessible. They can be art for as long as you want them to be.
What’s the inspiration behind their dreamy shapes and the forms?
I find it hard to pinpoint this, but I’m very attentive to shapes and materials.
Materials inspire me a lot. I like feeling them, photographing them, trying to model them, playing around with them and seeing what I can do with them.
I think the warm soft feeling and look of the material of wax inspired me to make the organic shapes. And while I’m quite impulsive when it comes to creating a new shape, I do really find it important that they complement each other. The next shape is definitely always influenced by the previous one.
What role does mood play in your work?
I definitely have to be calm or nothing good will come from it. It all depends on the day. Sometimes I can’t be creative for weeks. And then other times, I have to cancel all my plans because I feel like ‘today is the day.’
How do you get in the mood to create?
I can’t create this mood on purpose. I have to wake up and feel it, so to speak. I do feel like whenever I’ve been away from my studio for a while that I feel the urge to go back and start fiddling around again. At the same time, I feel very blocked if I spend too much time in my studio. Going away on a holiday helps my creativity.
What sounds do you like to listen to when you want to be creative? How about when you want to decompress?
I find it hard to work in silence, which is something I honestly would want to learn. I mostly listen to very calm soothing music, preferably instrumental.
I greatly resonate to floating on clouds as a mood. It’s very tranquil yet comforting but with some energetic impulses to keep me stimulated while I’m working.
What are you currently working on?
Currently I’m making candles 24/7 and I hope to take some time in January to reflect and start making some new things.
Anything in the future that you’re most looking forward to?
Mostly I’m looking forward to start creating some new things. I have some vague ideas and really want to start experimenting.
Next to that, I’m very curious about how my studio is going to evolve. Curious for the people I might meet or what new collaborations might happen.
