Or Noir: The Mechanic as a Designer

Lucas Sabas Cid, hailing from a working-class Parisian suburb and a family of five generations of mechanics, delves into the influence of his social background on his creative process and design aesthetics. Or Noir: The Mechanic as a Designer embraces the concept of being ‘transclass’, a term coined by sociologist Chantal Jacquet, referring to individuals who traverse different social classes. By presenting a sculptural automotive oil fountain made from iconic car parts in an elitist exhibition context, Sabas aims to challenge and complicate the established notions of aesthetics, methodologies, and knowledge associated with car mechanics. The project also invites a broader reexamination of the value and significance of the working class and its associated professions in the field of design.