His name was already well known in the world of design. Now, thanks to the Paralympic Games, Dimitry Hlinka is back in the spotlight with a project as committed as it is design: the prosthetic arm for French athlete Arnaud Assoumani. Portrait of a multi-award-winning young artist.
At 33, Dimitry Hlinka already has several major projects to his name. The holder of a double diploma in Métiers d’Art and Design from the École Boulle in the cabinetmaking and marquetry workshops, then in event design, he has designed products for luxury brands as well as furniture and shop windows. Her credo is to combine craftsmanship and innovation. And one of his designs for the Paralympic Games is a perfect illustration of this vision.
An impressive young career
His CV is well-stocked. After graduating from the prestigious École Boulle in 2015, Dimitry Hlinka founded his company Atelier-Hlinka and was awarded a merit scholarship from the Odon Vallet Foundation. A year later, after being exhibited at the Galerie des Ateliers de Paris and The Paris Food Art Week (to name but a few), the artist became the winner of the Carrousel des Métiers d’Art’s ‘Prix Jeunes Talents’. He was also a finalist in the Grand Prix de la Création de la Ville de Paris.
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But Dimitry Hlinka’s influence is not limited to the French capital. While in residence at the Ateliers de Paris, he joined the National Taiwan Craft Research Institute and even designed a bamboo electric bicycle with Patricio Sarmiento. He also designed a series of objects with Takeshi Nishimura in Kyoto, Japan.
Winner of the 2017 Rado Star Prize, he was exhibited the same year at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and also at the Grand Palais. Exhibition at Taipei’s Creative Park, presentation of the Laurenties project at Paris Design Week, support grant via the Banque Populaire Foundation prize, winner of the second prize, in duo with Nicolas Pinon, for ‘Le Label Fabriqué à Paris’, two-month residency in Miami as part of the Villa Albertine, De mains de Maîtres exhibition in Luxembourg… In 2020, he even won the Bettencourt Prize for ‘L’intelligence de la Main’ Dialogues.
These awards are a direct result of all Dimitry Hlinka’s projects.
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These include the design of a relaxation seat with Clounge Lab, the production of prototypes with Daher Aerospace, product development and prototyping with the Glenfiddich whisky house, the prototyping of an Armani boutique concept, assistance with the design of a new Mumm bottle, the development of a window display for the Ritz Paris, the design of a platform in the ‘Toguna’ space at the Palais de Tokyo, technical development and product development and prototyping for ‘La Fabrique Singulière’ with Moët & Chandon.
Dimitry Hlinka works extensively with artists, designers and brands. These projects ‘are the fruit of an eye that is as informed as it is curious, encouraging new creative approaches that combine expertise and experimentation’, he says on his website.
A magnificent collaboration with paralympic athlete Arnaud Assoumani
As the 2024 Paralympic Games drew to a close on Sunday 8 September, bringing to a close almost two months of sport in France, Dimitry Hlinka became involved in the event through his art. The designer was responsible for the prosthetic arm worn by paralympian Arnaud Assoumani, who specialises in the long and triple jumps. Although Assoumani did not win his sixth Paralympic medal this year, he is admired for his performances and his joie de vivre. ‘All the medal-winning athletes, but also the others, will leave a legacy. They will leave behind things that I think will make a huge contribution to society. I have a feeling we’ll be talking about it afterwards,’ he told Ouest France following his defeat in the T47 long jump a few days ago.
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Frenchman Arnaud Assoumani has made a name for himself with his futuristic arm. The design of the prosthesis is ‘inspired by the anatomy of the body, with the radius and ulna crossing each other in a pronated position. This detail gives the design a dynamic feel and a sense of movement, while maintaining a close link with Arnaud Assoumani’s long jumping, where speed, technique and strength are essential’, describes Dimitry Hlinka on his Instagram account.
The project, called ‘Bras d’Or, Bras d’Art’, was created with the help of intern Amélie Esmenjaud for the design, Mehdi Lebars for the final 3D sculpture, and Nicolas Pinon for the finishing touches.
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A variation has even been created, referring to the colours of the medals. Gold, silver and bronze blend perfectly, linking sport, craftsmanship and innovation. ‘This project is particularly close to my heart for the values it defends, in terms of equality and dialogue, but above all for the human dimension involved in designing such a piece,’ says Dimitry Hlinka.
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And that’s where the greatness of his work lies. ‘Drawing on my technical and conceptual skills, I claim a creative practice based on the exploration of the mechanical, aesthetic and functional properties of materials’, explains the artist on his website.
A success for Dimitry Hlinka, who proves that the Paralympic Games are not just a succession of impressive sporting events and a parade of inspiring athletes. But that this privileged moment can also mean a new exploration of the body and the celebration of all physiques through art.
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Featured photo: Dimitry Hlinka © Julie Limont – Moët & Chandon
