Le Banc des Amoureux
Conceived between 1994 and 2011, Le Banc des amoureux consists of two horizontal elements that are typologically simple - a parallelepipedal seat and back renewing the prosaic motif of the board - embedded in two vertical forms that are explicitly sexual. Tradition flanked by audacity; orthodoxy framed by extravagance. This intrepid, almost antithetical collusion characterizes the creation of Johan Creten who, for many years, has been reflecting on the polysemy of fundamental, primary forms.
The bench is a key protagonist of urban furniture. lt populates cities and draws perspectives - parks and avenues - in the same capacity as the fountain, the column and the lamp post, with this exception that it can, on an altogether different scale, inhabit memories and establish narratives - a first caress, a first blush, words of tenderness, violent disputes, discreet break-ups, stolen kisses, exhibited kisses, adolescent languor, the tiredness of age. Johan Creten knows it, proves it: the bench is the civilized territory of intimacy.