Imperfect match

Rachel Whiteread gets into the groove for a Puiforcat flaw show

- NICK VINSON

The silversmiths at Puiforcat are renowned for producing the house's flawless mirror-polish finishes, delicately removing microscopic irregularities with sanding brushes, buffing wheels and a soft flannel cloth.

So when the Paris-based house teamed up with Turner Prize-winning English artist Rachel Whiteread - who has 'always enjoyed being contrary' - it was naturally a little perplexed and puzzled at her designs for a collection that displayed deliberate imperfections. But as soon as the first prototypes were conceived, the silversmiths applauded the designs and were then 'eager to realise her approach as faithfully as possible: namely, to create the impression that the objects had been created by chance. And they were especially captivated by the idea that these deliberate imperfections were to express a lasting memory'.