Edition Cosmos, be carried away by infinity and mystery

Look up and let yourself be carried away by infinity and mystery...

The cosmos invites you to dream. It speaks of infinity, mystery, escape, a gentle dizziness that makes you look up and wonder. Everyone projects their dreams, beliefs and emotions onto it: for some, it is the silent theatre of the great existential questions; for others, a poetic refuge, a moving tableau consisting of stars, planets and mysteries. The sky inspires scientists and artists alike, both dreamers and explorers. It embodies the link between man and the universe, between the tangible and the elusive. In the immensity of the sky, everyone is looking for meaning, emotion, light.

Every two years, Opinel releases a new edition created in collaboration with artists. The Cosmos edition is a tribute to this universal fascination, that silent link between us and the stars. To finish off our iconic No. 08 pocket knife, three artists set out to explore the skies: Dalkhafine, Benjamin Jeanjean and Asile. Limited edition with numbered blades, 8,200 of each model produced

Dalkhafine

Dalkhafine, AKA Delphine Dussoubs, is a multidisciplinary artist. Born in France, Delphine is passionate about culture and travel and has been living in Montreal since 2013. After starting her professional career as a 2D animator, Dalkhafine chose to devote herself entirely to her personal projects.

Whether through illustration, motion design, painting, screen-printing, murals, clothing or VJing, Dalkhafine's work features a range of media and formats. Her colourful world, largely inspired by nature and often embellished with dark borders, has resulted in numerous collaborations with celebrities and brands.

"My illustration pays homage to the constellation of the Tiger (Tigris in Latin, named after the river Tigris) and that of the Siren (close to the Caeneus constellation). The tiger, powerful and majestic, bows gracefully before the siren, whose head shines like a sun. The sun represents the sovereign star that gives life and illuminates everything around it. Majestic and inescapable, it watches over the universe, just as the mermaid watches over the moon, which she ushers along with a delicate gesture. Around them, the stars form a protective constellation, like a celestial jewellery box in which this meeting between earthly power and cosmic energy is played out.

Benjamin Jeanjean

Benjamin Jeanjean is a French visual artist based in the Basque Country. An illustrator, visual artist and tattooist, he likes to combine nonsense, black humour and contradictions in his figurative and symbolic designs. He uses a variety of techniques, including illustration, ceramics, installation and mural painting to make his art both personal and universally accessible. An ideal medium for telling complex stories, his style is highly figurative, full of personal references and expressive detail. His work is imbued with symbolism and poetry. Benjamin draws inspiration from old engravings, new images, the irrational, human logic and humanity.

"This illustration, modelled on the cosmos – ordered and structured, is a symbolic exploration. In the centre, an antique vase that could be seen as the receptacle of the universe. The solar face at the centre, adorned with Yin and Yang, symbolises universal balance. The phases of the moon, arranged in a circle, recall the eternal cycle of time.

The surrounding geometric patterns, woven and intertwined, suggest the notion of a cosmic web whereby each element is linked to a larger whole. This illustration plays on duality: from a distance, a classical engraving evoking ancient times; but when viewed up close, contemporary symbols emerge, combining tradition and modernity."

Asylum

Elisa, aka Asile, is a freelance artist and illustrator based in France.

Asile is a world of happy, plump people, colourful flora and fauna and dreamlike landscapes. Elisa's work is a veritable ode to kindness and the love of one's self and others. Through her drawings, Elisa creates images full of joy and contentment, with a poetic, uncomplicated and playful style. She is interested in all communicative media, whether press, digital or craftsmanship.

"For this illustration, I wanted to talk about balance: the balance between day and night, between the Sun and the Moon. This isn't a duel, but rather a duo. Two figures sitting on a crescent moon, gazing at one another. Their clothes, combining both stellar and solar motifs, tell the story of their bond: different yet equal. Around them, three birds carry stars, as if redrawing a constellation. The moon becomes a gentle meeting place, a floating showcase, somewhere between dream and reality.

More info on the Cosmos Edition

  • Hornbeam handle decorated using sublimation
  • 8.5 cm stainless steel blade
  • Black PVD treatment for the Benjamin Jeanjean model.

Each model comes with its own box, postcard and leaflet presenting the collection.