Elsa
Boch

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I live in the vineyard in south east of Nantes in France. I self-built my wooden house fives years ago with my partner Ferréol Babin and since then, we never stopped building tiny constructions, decks and a lovely garden around our home. 

Where is your studio located & how does it look?

My studio is located right behind my home, hidden from the street. It’s a tiny wooden cabin that we also built together. It’s a really small but comfy workshop and everything inside was made to make my practice easy and comfortable. It’s surrounded by nature and a rocky landscape.

Are there any projects that are personally important to you—whether recently completed or currently in progress?

Last year I had the chance to work on a special project with my partner Ferréol where I could bring together my design training and my current ceramic practice. It was a project about summer solstice and the idea was to create a special setting and scenography and some permanent tableware for a dinner celebrating Mid Summer at Freia restaurant in Nantes. We worked hand in hand with Sarah Mainguy, Freia’s cheffe and Pierre-Antoine Arlot owner and backer at La Maison Arlot Cheng to create a very special experience through this dinner.

Do you have a favorite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

I really like to have a walk in the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes. It’s a beautiful garden with magnificent trees and greenhouses.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

Currently I can really not complain about the situation where I live compared to dramatic issues that are taking place in the world right now. 

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

It’s not really that hidden, but my neighbour happens to be a farmer and runs a small permaculture farm on his own, where he sells his produce and vegetables directly, just a two-minute walk from my home. It’s called La Butte.

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

It’s not innovative in the sense that it exists already since many years, but every summer in Nantes there is an artistic event called « le voyage a Nantes ». It’s an ongoing projects that brings together many artistic events, performances and exhibitions from June to September and it’s always related to the world we live in and the present times.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

The Maison Arlot Cheng which is an amazing organic and local bakery. Unfortunately for everyone else, they only sell their bread in Nantes. 🙂

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

– Instagram
– Weward
– Apple podcasts

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

I have one: Tempura magazine which is a magazine about Japan with four issues a year. It’s about social, cultural and political life in Japan. Regarding politics and cultural issues I read Mediapart and Vakita.

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

I would definitely plant thousands of trees to bring more biodiversity, refresh the city in summer and make the city a better place to live in.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

I would live in Kyoto along the Kamo river.