Monthly Muse : Laurent Montepini

Article

30 June

June 30, 2025

“ … Imagine a world where the limits are those of your own thoughts. Imagine an autonomous way of relating to our current world. Imagine the sound of silence and freedom. Imagine ! …”

Laurent | theautonomousproject.com

Laurent, what is The Autonomous Project ?

It’s an alternative way of living, it’s about realising your dream. If you know you want to live a certain picture, then working to make that vision into reality and actualising the picture is good for the soul.

There are three parts to this project – the first part is Sunny, an electric landrover defender 130. Sunny is the masterpiece, without Sunny I cannot move. Sunny is the heart of the project.

Then we have the solar panelled trailer, named Ellios – the third chakra/solar plexus of the project – it’s the energy centre. I store all the tools and materials I need to repair and re-energise the project. The entire surface of the solar panels when opened is 32 square metres, and provides enough energy in two or three days to recharge Sunny – the landrover defender, which has a 100 kilowatt battery.

Now the third part is Luna. This project looks like a spaceship because of Luna. This is the living box. The idea of this project is that any part can be attached, and can also be moved. In the box everything is moveable, from the fridge to the jerry can, to all the electrical components. This is quite freeing.

What does Autonomy mean to you ?

Autonomy means freedom to me.

If we talk about Sunny, Ellios and Luna – all parts have the ability to move, they allow me to keep moving … with the energy of the sun. Autonomy, in terms of natural energy and my personal energy means that I can work with the abundant resource of nature – the sun, while exploring the capabilities of myself to do this. Emotionally, mentally and physically it requires so much of me.

Of course I have collaborated with the right people who have the expertise to help build this project, as I understand my limitations with the electrical and technological components. I’m grateful to have the right support who are available to reach out to throughout this journey. This project is a labour of love, and of course it demands a level of attention and daily devotion from me, so when it does need something that is beyond my capabilities, then the important thing is that I know who to call so that they can point me in the right direction.

I think in life when you are going through a big project / big creativity, you always need someone on your side - to support you, to help you, to guide you. Especially in these times when most people are on their own and independent… I’m more interested in collaboration. Being able to collaborate through sharing our individual skills means we can build something together. Others are our reflection, and we can grow together. We exist because other people exist.

What brought you to bring this particular vision into reality ?

I believe that everybody has the potential to create their own journey of life. No matter the circumstance of living, each person can find their own way of expressing the creativity inside of them on their own level.

A nomadic life inspires me, all of my life I have been moving place to place with my parents. There’s been many periods where I have been disconnected from my family, friends and nature… I’ve learned so much from the diversity of the many people and places I’ve had to adapt to growing up. Life has re-enforced on you the value of being able to adapt and be with the flow, working with your awareness. That is why when you see something you like and are touched by it emotionally, and you feel like that’s the right way to go - then you must go. To me having the freedom to ‘ just go ’ and not rely on the current structure of societies system on earth is how I express my creativity.

The project allows freedom and space. It requires freedom and space – but you have to be prepared. As any adventurer, there’s a part that is unknown and known. There isn’t a good or bad way of how to approach the journey. Depending on your value, sense awareness, intention and intuition, then you can begin to shape and refine that picture in your head so it becomes clearer as you go.

At the end of the day It’s all about letting yourself love what you do, because that’s going to feed your soul.

You mentioned the emotional, mental and physical demands this project requires, how do you stay balanced within yourself throughout this journey?

The journey of balance began many, many, many, years before today… haha. Life has shaped me mentally through exploring my limitations, especially in my sports experiences.

Sleeping well, eating well, connecting and moving with my body consciously are the foundations. Because the daily tasks of the project are strenuous, in order to maintain my fitness I like to have fun and explore movement in nature. Having my resistance bands and calisthenics exercises also help ! The body is our home, and this is a beautiful gift that life has given us. So I do my best to be conscious to respect it.

On the homepage of your website, it says that ‘limits are those of your own thoughts…’ where can you imagine your journey with the autonomous project taking you?

Anywhere, somewhere on the planet – although there are limitations I must work with on the technical aspects of this project seeing as it is an experimental prototype.

Just like life can be seen as an experimental project, we work with the capacities of our body – along the way I also am understanding to which places at what seasons is suitable for this project.

…Follow me on my on journey and you will see how fare it can go.

You’ve travelled overland from Romania to Bulgaria and have recently crossed the Black Sea with your project. What has stirred and stayed with your senses so far on your journey ?

Through Sight… the diverse, vast and rich landscape while driving.

Through Sound…hearing people enjoy their culture through gathering in dance, song, and celebrating in good company.

Through Taste… locally brewed home-made alcohol, palinka – a combination of apple and pear. This was a surprise gift from kind locals (Daniel and Corral) who created the new seat covers for inside the box. This encounter also involved a personal tour of their downstairs private distillery !

Through Touch… the dogs I’ve met everywhere, especially in Georgia ! They have all been so nice, welcoming and friendly - we are greeted with dogs wherever we go. One day in Kobuleti we were digging a hole to lay in for the magnetite’s healing properties. I was just laying with my eyes closed, and a dog had come to me and stopped to rest his paw on my hand… it was a unique moment.

Through Feeling… the generous and helpful people I’ve met in every place in Romania. I think about the people whose expertise in their own fields have contributed to this project, I remember these connections often, and feel grateful for finding the right people to believe in the project.

Website : theautonomousproject.com

Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@laurentmontepini

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/an_overland_electric_journey/