Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
jeux des pleins et des creux
English translation:
the play of relief and intaglio/recess
Added to glossary by
B D Finch
May 15, 2009 06:06
15 yrs ago
1 viewer *
French term
United Kingdom
jeux des pleins et des creux
French to English
Tech/Engineering
Furniture / Household Appliances
"Les jeux des pleins et des creux, le baguettage métal et le socle en estrade des meubles, la présence des mirroirs..."
From a description of a range of Zen style furniture (Japanese lines, futon bed, that sort of thing).
Any help much appreciated.
From a description of a range of Zen style furniture (Japanese lines, futon bed, that sort of thing).
Any help much appreciated.
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
May 19, 2009 08:01: B D Finch Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
5 hrs
Selected
the play of relief and depression
I thought of concave and convex, but that suggests curved shapes and it is more than likely that straight edges come into this.
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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-05-15 11:44:39 GMT)
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I have just realised that my suggestion could be read as mental states, which was not intended.
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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-05-15 11:45:32 GMT)
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Perhaps relief and intaglio would avoid that double entendre?
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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-05-15 11:44:39 GMT)
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I have just realised that my suggestion could be read as mental states, which was not intended.
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Note added at 5 hrs (2009-05-15 11:45:32 GMT)
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Perhaps relief and intaglio would avoid that double entendre?
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "In the end I described it as having a recessed and relief pattern. The clairvoyancy prize goes to BDF for what was basically impossible without a picture, but many thanks to all for your suggestions."
20 mins
Shankaran Viswanathan
India
India
Native in French
&
English
India
Satisfait ou remboursé
Native in: French (Variant: Standard-France) 
, English (Variant: UK)
Works in: French to English, English to French, English to Hindi, and 3 more.
checkerboard pattern
...
45 mins
Irene McClure
Native in English
Political scientist, former UK Govt
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, English
playing with depth
I'm not sure exactly how this could be phrased in your text but perhaps the idea is that the designer is playing with the concept of depth in the pieces of furniture? Ie that there are lots of 'ins and outs' or 'peaks and troughs' to the designs?
Just an idea!
There are a few references to this if you Google 'design' or 'meubles' alongside "pleins et creux" and the idea of depth seems to fit. See eg
http://www.lavignesbastille.com/heinry_new/heinry-texte.phpE... les virtualités du réel demeure une constante chez beaucoup de sculpteurs requis par la noblesse des matériaux, le respect du métier et le jeu des pleins et des creux.
http://lunettesrouges.blog.lemonde.fr/2006/04/
"Moins énigmatique, plus fonctionnelle aussi, elle me frappe d’abord par la simplicité de sa structure. Il y a des pleins et des creux, des droites et des courbes, du bois et du fer."
http://www.net-femme.fr/l’art-d’arrondir-les-angles/
"Les éléments de rangement composés de modules arrondis sont moins monotones et dynamisent leur ligne rythmée par le jeu des pleins et des creux qui donnent un effet de vague. Leurs lignes douces sont parfaites pour les lieux de passage comme les couloirs et les étagères arrondies évitent de se cogner aux angles saillants."
HTH
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Note added at 1 hr (2009-05-15 07:19:53 GMT)
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Waves, peaks and troughs, curves, smooth lines ... trying to think of how this could work. I'll keep thinking!
Just an idea!
There are a few references to this if you Google 'design' or 'meubles' alongside "pleins et creux" and the idea of depth seems to fit. See eg
http://www.lavignesbastille.com/heinry_new/heinry-texte.phpE... les virtualités du réel demeure une constante chez beaucoup de sculpteurs requis par la noblesse des matériaux, le respect du métier et le jeu des pleins et des creux.
http://lunettesrouges.blog.lemonde.fr/2006/04/
"Moins énigmatique, plus fonctionnelle aussi, elle me frappe d’abord par la simplicité de sa structure. Il y a des pleins et des creux, des droites et des courbes, du bois et du fer."
http://www.net-femme.fr/l’art-d’arrondir-les-angles/
"Les éléments de rangement composés de modules arrondis sont moins monotones et dynamisent leur ligne rythmée par le jeu des pleins et des creux qui donnent un effet de vague. Leurs lignes douces sont parfaites pour les lieux de passage comme les couloirs et les étagères arrondies évitent de se cogner aux angles saillants."
HTH
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Note added at 1 hr (2009-05-15 07:19:53 GMT)
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Waves, peaks and troughs, curves, smooth lines ... trying to think of how this could work. I'll keep thinking!
Note from asker:
| Thanks for your help! You're definitely on the right lines here, as the headboard on the bed has a curved shape. I can't see anything that would constitute an "in" bit. Concave / convex came to mind, but how to use it??? |
3 hrs
The play of interior and exterior curvature
Following on from your 'convex' & 'concave' - I have, in fact, just defined the words.
+1
11 hrs
Catherine Gilsenan
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
A Professional Service Handled With Care
Native in: English
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English
the careful juxtaposition and interplay of solid objects and clear space
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Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tony M
: Not sure about 'careful juxtaposition', I think 'interplay' alone is OK; think the idea of solid (panels, etc.) vs. 'openings' ('clear space') sounds right to me; can't see a connection w/ 'curved headboard', maybe it's another item in the b/room suite?
2 days 58 mins
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Thanks, Tony.
|
8 hrs
opposition of salient and reentrant angles/features/points
We really need a picture!
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Note added at 14 hrs (2009-05-15 20:13:10 GMT)
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A few hours later and I have come across something very similar in my own current job about the creation of a renowned architect (bless his soul!):
Le charme de ce bâtiment doit beaucoup aux détails architecturaux tels que failles verticales, patios, niches, jeu de volumes, angles droits, BLOCS EN POSITIF/NEGATIF ainsi qu’aux nombreux points de vue sur la ville.
which for the moment is giving
The appeal of the building owes a great deal to architectural details such as vertical clefts, patios, recesses, right angles, different volumes, steps, PROJECTING AND REENTRANT BLOCKS, and numerous outlooks over the city.
At least I have a few photos to go on!
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Note added at 14 hrs (2009-05-15 20:13:10 GMT)
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A few hours later and I have come across something very similar in my own current job about the creation of a renowned architect (bless his soul!):
Le charme de ce bâtiment doit beaucoup aux détails architecturaux tels que failles verticales, patios, niches, jeu de volumes, angles droits, BLOCS EN POSITIF/NEGATIF ainsi qu’aux nombreux points de vue sur la ville.
which for the moment is giving
The appeal of the building owes a great deal to architectural details such as vertical clefts, patios, recesses, right angles, different volumes, steps, PROJECTING AND REENTRANT BLOCKS, and numerous outlooks over the city.
At least I have a few photos to go on!
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