Meet Rond Carré Studio

The Brussels-based creative duo is made up of Jade Vijt (interior architect, scenographer and professor in interior creations at E.S.A. Saint-Luc Brussels) and O’nonto Zaman (Artistic Director, graphic designer and videographer). Having visited the Brussels fair for several years now, they approached us as the recently formed Rond Carré Studio, with a thoughtful proposal to create an installation at the entrance of the fair, that examines the characteristics of Affordable Art Fair.

We’re very excited to be collaborating with Rond Carré Studio and warmly encourage you to stop by their dedicated stand at the fair where they will be presenting an array of works. In the meantime, read on to find out more about this dynamic duo’s work and the exciting project they are working on for Affordable Art Fair Brussels: 

How would you describe your approach to design and scenography? 

Our approach is very complementary, Jade has a three-dimensional relationship to space and O’nonto has a conceptual and narrative relationship to image. We don’t always have the same inspirations and references, but we have developed a common taste which creates the Rond Carré Studio style. We are attracted by geometry, minimalism and simplicity. Both of us share a big passion for contemporary art. And we are constantly on the lookout for the most recent trends in order to adapt our work accordingly.

Which artists and designers are the greatest influence on your work? 

Working in several fields of creation, our references are varied. Our greatest influences in our scenographic work for this installation are Ann Veronica Janssens, Olafur Eliasson, James Turrell and Do-Ho Suh.

Could you explain your creative process?  

Depending on the project we work on, the procedure changes. We offer a wide range of creative services including artistic direction, scenography, interior design, graphic design, visual identity, photography, video production and more. But usually, it all starts with meetings and discussions with the client which then lead to us two brainstorming, creating a mood board and finally conceptualizing the idea. Then we use a 3D software to study and shape the idea, the choice of materials follows from the concept. Once our tests are done, we finalize the creation. The result is always the ultimate satisfaction of being able to live the installation that emerged from a common idea. Overall, we put a lot of value into the materials we use. In the case of campaign shoots for different brands we try to use materials that really bring the product to the foreground.

On what projects have you worked on since the creation of Rond Carré Studio? 

Since COVID-19 delayed any possibility of scenography, we continued to work on projects of graphic identity creation, photography campaigns and interior design. This past year we created the set design for the campaign shoots of the clothing brand Bellerose and the gin brand Panda. We also had the opportunity to work on the interior design of the soon to open co-working space Cocooning and the new restaurant Mêzon. Other than that we have also designed the visual identity of an online art gallery Newcube.

We aim to create new and unique ideas and not to purely execute the wishes of a client. The people who approach us have mostly heard about us through the internet, social media, word of mouth and recommendations by our previous or current clients.

What exactly inspired to make this installation for Affordable Art Fair Brussels? 

During our yearly visits to Affordable Art Fair Brussels, we were each time attracted by the striking installations which welcomed us to the fair. At some point we decided to make our own proposal.

We wanted to create something with an impact, something people could remember after their visit to the fair. When brainstorming on the idea for the scenographic installation we tried to find a material or an element which all the participating galleries have in common. We thought of all the visitors that one sees walking around the fair with an artwork, purchased from one of the gallery’s stands and wrapped in bubble wrap. One of the unique characteristics of the Affordable Art Fair is that you can directly buy an artwork from a gallery’s stand, get it wrapped at the wrapping station, and take the artwork home with you on the very same day. We then decided to use bubble wrap as a central element of the scenography. We have distorted its functionality and sublimed the material with some iridescent film. Our entrance installation will be taking you through some kind of transitional tunnel: taking you from the outside world to the art fair. When passing through the tunnel we hope that the visitors can enter the fair with a clear mind by leaving all their thought and worries outside. After the fair we wish to repurpose and to reactivate the installation in new spaces and contexts.

What does Affordable Art Fair represent for you? What do you enjoy about the fair? 

We particularly like the diversity of the public during the fair. We are used to visiting galleries and exhibitions here in Brussels and we always have the impression to bump into the same crowd of people. During Affordable Art Fair you can really stumble upon anybody: first time fair visitors to experienced collectors. The fair really succeeds in being open and welcoming to whoever and in making contemporary art accessible to everyone. We also admire the fact that you can find a wide range of artworks of different mediums by emerging but also established artists.

We’re excited that Rond Carré Studio is working on such a creative installation to wow-you as you enter the fair. Join us for the 12th edition of Affordable Art Fair Brussels (22 – 26 September, Tour & Taxis).