Photography & Text FAWN KONGSIRI

Special thanks to ROLF VAN BUEREN




The German word Wunderkammer or “Chamber of Wonders” arose in the 15th and 16th centuries to refer to collections of curious and wondrous artifacts. From historical relics to exotic rarities, these cabinets of curiosities served to reflect the particular interests of their curators. And thus, it was from this spirit of wonder and curiosity that the heritage atelier Lotus Arts de Vivre was born. This dream was founded in the imagination of a young Rolf Van Bueren growing up in post-war Germany who sought escape through visions of faraway lands and mythical creatures. Years later, as a representative of a chemical company stationed in Thailand, these childhood fantasies began to take shape, eventually manifesting in jewellery, home decor and accessories that push the boundaries of traditional luxury. Combining meticulously sourced materials and artistic processes steeped in centuries-old traditions, Lotus Arts de Vivre embraces and preserves the refined craftsmanship of Thailand, thus artfully preserving Thailand’s cultural heritage.



EXCERPTS OF INTERVIEW WITH ROLF



Were you always a curious person?


I was always very curious. And I traveled a lot in Europe out of curiosity. At the time, it was a promotion to be sent overseas by a company. I think I was born with it and I’m trying to keep that alive.


Is that something that’s disappearing in the modern age?
The source of satisfying your curiosity is subtly changing along with the media. It keeps people in the house, you don’t need to go out, you don’t travel. Everything is delivered, and there is a danger that one doesn’t move. Not that it is essential, but it is part of a learning process to move to other places and compare. The whole brain is set to compare. If you go to Japan, you notice that the toilet is different. The first things you realise is what is different to the home, and that’s very important for improving.


You were very much inspired by the mythology and fantasy of Thailand, how does that manifest in LAdV?


The most outstanding difference to Europe is maybe the religion. I still think that Buddhism is the most intelligent religion. That is because it requests you to doubt your teacher. While in the religions of the book - Muslim, Jewish and Christian - you have to believe what is written down. So there is no choice, there is no proof whatsoever, but Buddhism is a slow recognition. It’s not something you realise overnight. Thai culture is very much formed and stamped by Buddhism. Buddhism shaped the life, opinions, and teachings here.



“One needs to see the opportunity when you can get something that will be rare in the future, and make that decision here and then.”



How do you sense when something is going to be rare in the future?


If you know what has happened in history, one can sense what is rare. But you need to study and know the processes. If the process is a very difficult, complicated and time-consuming one, one can be sure that it will become rarer and rarer.


How do you define Thainess?
In a way it’s a free spirit. Tibetans when they package something, they pack it with cloth and then there’s a lock to it. I had a lock with a certain Buddhist design, and I gave that to our own artisan to do and I returned it about five times and still he never captured the fierceness of the Tibetans. Whatever came back was “waan gwa” or sweeter. 
There is a softness in the Thai approach that is simply different. Many Thais ask me “What should I do?” and I say introduce some Thainess into it. They ask, “What does it mean, Thainess?” Its very difficult for Thais to understand what Thainess means.




 







 


SEE FULL STORY IN ARTIFACT ISSUE N°1