Francesco Rimondi is a multidisciplinary artist whose work encompasses sculpture, painting, and drawing. A master craftsman in metal, he transforms diverse materials—including rare metals, electronic components, driftwood, and other reclaimed elements—into original works that explore form, light, sound, and imagination. Rather than recycling objects for their previous identities, he uses their intrinsic qualities as raw materials for creating richly expressive and poetic compositions.

For several decades, Francesco (“Cesco”) Rimondi and Molly his wife managed Les Marronniers, helping to shape it into one of the Institute of Ecotechnics’ principal centers for the annual IE Conference. Together, they stewarded the property’s integrated ecological landscape—its woodlands, orchards, gardens, workshops, and residences—while welcoming participants from around the world for conferences, artistic collaborations, performances, and practical projects. Their long-term commitment encouraged a vibrant community where art, ecology, craftsmanship, and interdisciplinary learning flourished, making Les Marronniers a living expression of the Institute’s ecotechnic philosophy. The property was sold in 2018. See more.

Light is central to Rimondi’s artistic language. Whether emerging from within a sculpture or playing across the surfaces of metal, light shapes the experience of his work, revealing layers of texture, movement, and meaning. Many of his sculptures also incorporate sound, creating immersive works that engage multiple senses.

Born in Ethiopia and now based in Provence, France, Rimondi’s artistic vision reflects a lifelong dialogue between landscape, memory, and material. Working intuitively, he creates pieces that invite contemplation and discovery, revealing beauty in unexpected combinations of natural and industrial elements.

As a Fellow of the Institute of Ecotechnics, Rimondi brings an artist’s perspective to the Institute’s interdisciplinary exploration of the relationship between humanity, culture, technology, and the living world.