In the garden of creative duo Atelier Bingo
Maxime : Adèle and I met in 2009 whilst studying graphic design studies in Nantes. After working in Paris, we set our hearts on an old countryside factory that had been converted into several apartments/workshops , and decided to settle there to start a joint creative adventure.
Adèle: The work space was like a big loft, giving us the opportunity to set up an artisanal screen-printing workshop. We started testing loads of stuff, printing, cut-off shapes, making collages, mixing materials... Our graphic design studio Atelier Bingo was born from this creative process.
M. : Last summer, whilst in Brittany for the first time to attend a screen-printing residency in the small town of Saint-Brieuc, we stumbled across this old cafe-warehouse that was for sale. We loved the place and its potential for us to start a new chapter. We packed our bags and moved in 6 months ago!
Le Café du dimanche was quite an unusual bar: people not only came here to have a drink, but also to listen to music or play board games, etc. Blank cards and scrap materials were also available to craft personalised postcards. We took it as a sign!
A. : Moving in and exploring the potential of a new space has always been an opportunity for us
to rethink our artistic approach and to evolve towards new techniques.
M. : The idea would be to create two different work spaces – a collage workshop and another one dedicated to ceramics – and to create bridges between these two disciplines. We’re excited to get this in place!
Before we start the building works, we took the time to transform the courtyard into a proper garden. As I don’t have a green thumb but love to tinker, I dedicated myself to building large wooden veggie patches.
We also installed some BACSAC® all around to bring splashes of colors and to create contrasting effects. We know this garden will evolve, that we’ll definitely need to bring some plants indoors during winter; it’s cool to be able to move them around so easily!
A. : As for me, I love to get my hands dirty. I grew some seedlings myself, found some others from local farmers, but most of what grows in my garden comes from my mum’s veggie patch, like these bean seeds!
At first, I wanted to dedicate the wooden planters to growing vegetables. I sowed squashes, artichokes and loads of tomatoes. Unfortunately mildew did not spare us,so I replaced all the tomato plants with flowers: nasturtium, hydrangea, black-eyed Susan, cosmos, sunflowers, etc. I love this rich and colorful mix where everyone finds its place!
Nothing is a mistake.
There’s no win and no fail.
There’s only make.Corita Kent
