Emilie Tolot
Sculpture /About
It all begins with sculpture.
I work with matter, the human body and movement through forms, installations and artistic devices that evolve from one project to the next.
From live sculpture to Black Boxes, from installations to animated films, my practice has grown from a single desire: to bring sculpture to life and explore all that it can become.
My studio is located in an attic in Lyon.
To discover my latest work, visit my Selected Projects page, featuring my Zootrope installation from 2023, as well as exhibitions at UCLy and Fondation Renaud.
For my films, including Camille, visit my Animated Sculpture page.
Follow my latest news and projects on Instagram.
A few highlights from my artistic journey
In detail
Black Boxes
In 2017, I created the first Black Box, bringing together my sculptures and stop-motion films. Two worlds come together in an intimate theatre of light and shadow.
Live Sculpture
Since 2015, I have created sculptures live in dialogue with dance, circus and theatre, sometimes working from a series of quick sketches.
Dynamic
Since 2009, my work has focused on movement and its decomposition. I began working with self-hardening clay. Bodies, hands and faces became part of a dynamic exploration that would eventually lead to my animated sculpture films.
Groups
In the early 2010s, I reduced the scale of my sculptures, most often to around 16 cm. Working in terracotta allowed me to create increasingly large groups of figures, before I began setting them in motion.
Bodies and faces
Since the beginning of my practice, I have worked with the human body and face, seeking to capture expression through busts, groups of figures, bas-reliefs and other sculptural forms.
Drawings
Drawing has always been part of my practice, particularly through quick sketches and studies.
Artistic Journey
Initiation
I began sculpting at the age of 15. I met ceramic artist Cécilia Delgado, who introduced me to modelling.
I later taught sculpture from live models and developed my drawing practice through charcoal studies. I also worked in art restoration.
My first exhibitions and awards followed.
Creation
I developed my work in my studio, creating bronze sculptures among other works. I exhibited at ArtClub Gallery in Lyon.
Gradually, movement became an integral part of my sculpture. I reduced the scale of my works to around 16 cm and began experimenting with self-hardening clay, a material better suited to this research.
Dance
My encounter with dancer and choreographer Mourad Merzouki, particularly through Boxe Boxe, opened a new dialogue between sculpture and movement.
I collaborated with him around the Karavel Festival, attended rehearsals, and created drawings and sculptures inspired by dance.
Moving Image
I discovered plasticine, a modelling material similar to modelling clay, and began bringing my sculptures to life through stop-motion animation.
I created the Black Boxes, combining sculpture, light and animated film.
Exhibitions
In 2020, I exhibited at Fondation Renaud, followed by an exhibition at Galerie Pleney in 2021.
In September 2022, my work was presented at UCLy, in the former prisons of Lyon.
Since October 2023, my Zootrope installation has been exhibited at Musée Lumière in Lyon.
Today
I continue to develop this research through animated sculpture, with a new animated film currently in development, as well as a performance project.
