Contemporary artist Brian Caddy and interior architect Alexandre Viale Blaise unveil their first collaboration in Nice with Orizoun, a collection of four ceramic vases inspired by the colours and landscapes of the French Riviera. Blending decorative design with contemporary art, this collection celebrates a distinctive vision of Mediterranean living.
Some encounters give rise to truly distinctive creations. With Orizoun, Brian Caddy and Alexandre Viale Blaise bring their creative sensibilities together around a shared passion: colour, form and the light of the South.
Longtime friends with a deep attachment to Nice, the contemporary artist and founder of Viale Architecture d’intérieur have imagined a creation at the intersection of design and contemporary art. Its name, Orizoun, means “horizon” in the Niçois dialect, a direct reference to the Mediterranean landscapes that inspired the project.
The idea began with a moment of inspiration. “I fell in love with a single-stem vase created by Brian, and that’s how the idea of working together on this set of vases came about,” explains Alexandre Viale Blaise.
Four Pieces, Four Colours, One Niçois Inspiration
Orizoun consists of one vase and three single-stem vases, designed around four shapes and four colours. Each piece evokes an element of the Riviera landscape.
Yellow recalls the sun reflecting on the sea, blue evokes the sky, terracotta represents the earth, and green celebrates vegetation.
Beyond this palette, the designers draw inspiration from the rich colours of Old Nice and Cours Saleya, with its colourful façades, changing light and Mediterranean atmosphere.
“We wanted to represent the Nice landscape through the sea, the sun, the mountains and vegetation,” explains Brian Caddy.
The result is an expressive composition in which shapes and colours take centre stage, without restricting the object to a single function.
A Decorative Object to Arrange According to Your Own Style
One of Orizoun’s distinctive features is its versatility. The four pieces can be displayed together as a sculptural arrangement or separately to create different compositions within an interior.
On a console table, coffee table, bookshelf or dining table, the vases become colourful accents capable of transforming a space.
“You can separate Orizoun and play with the shapes because it has a playful side, a bit like LEGO,” says Brian Caddy.
This approach reflects Alexandre Viale Blaise’s vision of interiors as personal environments shaped by materials, colours, objects and emotions.
Artisanal Craftsmanship at the Heart of the Creation
Behind its contemporary aesthetic, Orizoun also embraces traditional craftsmanship.
All four pieces are entirely handmade by ceramic artist Caroline Mary in her Fictile Ceramic studio in the Var. The ceramic-making process and engobe finish contribute to the collection’s distinctive visual identity.
The collaboration brings together two creative worlds and regional artisanal expertise, in an approach where design and material are closely connected.
Brian Caddy and Alexandre Viale Blaise: Two Creative Sensibilities, One Shared Vision
Trained at Villa Thiole in Nice and subsequently at the Toulon School of Fine Arts, Brian Caddy develops a contemporary painting practice inspired by everyday life, familiar objects and interior details.
His compositions are characterised by bold, solid colours without gradients, situated between figuration and abstraction. Influenced by graffiti culture, the visual aesthetics of the 1980s and 1990s, and the Memphis movement, the artist offers a distinctive perspective on the simple things that surround us.
Based in Le Cannet but deeply attached to Nice, he has exhibited notably at Espace Soardi in Nice and Galerie Le Container in Aix-en-Provence.
Alexandre Viale Blaise, a Niçois by birth and by heart, founded Viale in 2024 after an initial career in digital communications. Trained at the École Française du Bâtiment, he has developed an interior architecture approach shaped by organic forms, natural colours and bespoke furniture design.
For him, this collaboration brings to life a long-held ambition.
“When I launched Viale, I already had collaborations in mind. When Brian suggested this project, it felt obvious because we share the same perspective on colour. Everything can be a source of inspiration.”
Orizoun: A New Expression of the French Riviera Lifestyle
Through this first collaboration, Brian Caddy and Alexandre Viale Blaise offer more than a collection of vases. They have created an object that tells a story of place, light and shared creative sensibility.
At the crossroads of design, craftsmanship and contemporary art, Orizoun reflects a growing appreciation for distinctive interior pieces with a story and a strong sense of identity.
A colourful tribute to Nice and its horizon, designed to bring a touch of the Mediterranean into contemporary interiors.
Practical Information
Orizoun – Brian Caddy x Viale Architecture d’intérieur
- Collection: Set of four ceramic vases
- Ceramic artist: Caroline Mary – Fictile Ceramic
- Price: €840 including VAT
- Availability: Made to order, exclusively at Cobalt
- Address: 19 rue de la Liberté, Nice, France
Photo credits: Brian Caddy, Alexandre Viale Blaise and Bastian Huber, depending on the images used.