Alabaster - by Paul-Henry Bizon (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Discover the unmatched softness, depth, and light of a millennia-old stone through the sculpted creations by luxury interiors brand Alain Ellouz Paris

Before Alain Ellouz discovered alabaster, the little-known stone was doomed to decline in popularity. But drawn to the beauty of its translucency, Ellouz aspired to elevate this extraordinary stone to the ranks of the most esteemed materials, transforming its technical obstacles into opportunities. He invented new techniques to enhance the stone's light, creating sculptures that are not only practical but also calming and magical, destined to play a major part in a collection of decorative pieces.

Written like an epic novel, Alabaster recounts the story of a fragile and unexploited treasure and the unprecedented path taken by a man who became an artist and inventor. Ellouz's luxury brand, Alain Ellouz Paris, has pushed the material's boundaries in lighting, ceilings, blinds, and more--retaining rough finishes, sculpting it into rounded shapes, and taking inspiration from the ancient Japanese technique Shou Sugi Ban by pairing it with burnt wood. Featuring Ellouz's collaborations with artists and designers, Alabaster reveals the stone's hidden beauty and potential.

About the Author

After studying literature at the Sorbonne, publishing at the École Estienne, and spending a year with the cartoonist Sempé, Paul-Henry Bizon became interested in emerging practices and new bylines in design and architecture. A contributor to numerous magazines such as AD, Ideat, The Good Life, Agefi Life, Trajectoire, and Holiday, he has traveled to cities around the world to understand the trends and practices of a new urban lifestyle. He has published two novels with Éditions Gallimard: La Louve in 2017 and Olympia in 2021.