Campana Brothers ‘Ocean Collection’

Posted on by February 17, 2014

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The current exhibition, Ocean Collection at Carpenters Workshop Gallery in Paris shows the Campana brothers revisiting and developing ideas from their 2002 Sushi series. Exploring new materials these mirrors are framed with felt, rubber carpet and EVA in varying shades of blue, green and white, clearly referencing the shifting colors one sees in the ocean and the sinuous shapes of clinging seaweed. These pieces are all handmade and I am very drawn to the human element in the creation process. I love the pendant mirrors and the way they move in space, reflecting and absorbing what is around them. Looking into the depths of the ‘ocean’ you are almost surprised to see yourself reflected back!

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Our article in the latest issue of Cultured magazine Summer 2013

Posted on by February 17, 2014

Take a look and tell us what you think!

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Click above for a full page image of the article

Cultured summer 2013

Cultured Summer 2013 Maria Wettergren

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Artcurial Design Sale 21 May 2013

Posted on by February 17, 2014

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While viewing the Artcurial Design sale which took place on 21st May we were stopped in our tracks by this sublime table (2007) by Mattia Bonetti (lot 111). Very surprisingly it didn’t find a buyer. The walnut top harmoniously blends with the acrylic base and the sinuous forms of the legs make it a wonderfully poetic piece. Looking down into the acrylic legs we were surprised to find them hollow so your eyes are drawn down into a smooth acrylic tunnel.

The stainless steel « caviar » cabinet (2005) by Maria Pergay (lot 106) is inlaid with nacre and couldn’t be more different from the Bonetti table on first glance. The cold qualities of the stainless steel stand in stark contrast to the warmth of the walnut wood of the Bonetti table. However the choice of steel serves as a foil to the elegance and enchantment of this piece, with the form and undulating legs harking back to the secretaires of the Louis XV period. The front panel with its sweeping scrolls of stainless steel is opened by a button hidden under the table top which opens to reveal an interior divided into small intimate compartments. The choice of stainless steel brings the piece straight into the 21st century.

Emmanuel Berard recently took over the direction of the superb design department at Artcurial and we were delighted to have the opportunity to discuss some of the pieces on view with him.

Mattia Bonetti table (lot 111) Unsold with an estimate of €20,000-30,000.

Maria Pergay cabinet (lot 106). Sold at €45,166 with an estimate of €35,000-45,000. The chair in the image was offered as a separate lot.

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Steinitz Gallery at Design Miami Basel

Posted on by February 17, 2014

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Why is this masterfully crafted French18th century center table on our blog? Because it will be on view at Design Miami Basel starting June 10th!

This object is from the world renowned Steinitz Gallery on rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. The presence of the Steinitz stand is a wonderfully powerful and exciting indication that the conversation about design is expanding to include historical periods.

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Hercules Table (1770-1780) is comprised of a yellow sienna marble top above a carved draped animal pelt apron, on four naturalistic legs joined by twisted ‘rope’ supports.

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Having had the privilege of working as a junior specialist on the New York portion of Steinitz’s three city (NY, London and Paris) sale at Christie’s in 2007, I’ve seen first hand some of the Steinitz treasures and sensed the passion involved in finding these treasures, revealing their stories and presenting them to enthusiasts.

Look closely even if antiques are not your thing and you have to admit this table is a breath-taking combination of creativity and talent!

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Video

Take a moment to listen to Philip Starck’s ‘Design and Destiny’ talk on TED.

Take a moment  to listen Philip Starck’s TED talk (above) – ‘Design and Destiny’. Starck’s playful and curious approach to design combined with the importance he places on it as a key component in man’s evolution is both refreshing and inspiring. Whether you like his work or not his objects have defined our generation and contributed to the ‘poetry’ of our moment. As he says, ‘that is why I continue to design’.  The objects he creates are his contribution to our mutation process and we can choose to surround ourselves and interact with the pieces around us and create our own personal dialogue with our surroundings. That is the essence of the role of design in our lives.

What do you think?

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Link

Collecting Design by Brent Dzekciorius for Design Days Dubai

BRENT DZEKCIORIUS ON COLLECTING DESIGN

Click the title above to read about collecting design!

This article is enchanting and inspiring in the way it gives voice to the importance and enriching experience of knowing the objects we choose to invite into our lives. Here is a excerpt from Brent’s article:

So when do we transform from consumer to collector?

It occurs when we set an intention. Collectors acquire with a commitment to ideas and an understanding of the whole. This continues to grow and shift as we do, but our intention is the road map for our collection. Don’t go into collecting blindly. It is important to have some foundation before you embark on anything with purpose. For me that has always been the expertise and experience of others.

Read the full article here!

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Mattia Bonetti

Posted on by February 17, 2014

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The imposing forms of Mattia Bonetti’s furniture are often quite evocative. The first three examples here are some of his more rigorous works, which we find to be arresting. They speak to the present and possibility and freedom without being sentimental. We can imagine them working well with modern and antique objects. The last two images (the coffee table and armoire) are more playful examples of his work.

Whether or not they appeal to you aesthetically, this is an artist who is forcing the discussion of design as art, design vs. art etc. into our awareness and that’s important!

We can source the work of this designer for you. Please contact us for inquiries.

The Swiss-born, Paris-based designer is currently showing his work at the Paul Kasmin Gallery in NYC.

Do you like this work?

Tom Dixon and Max Ingrand Pendant Lights

Posted on by February 17, 2014

The heavy thick glass on the pair of pendant lights (‘Bead and Top’ 2009) by Tom Dixon (top) majestically encircles the G9 halogen bulbs whose lights are distorted by the density of the glass and the ridges on the inner ‘case’. ”I am still mainly motivated by materials and processes”  Dixon has said and here references to the industrial process are made by the globules within the blown glass.  The resulting sense of volume and mass are unmistakable and are further emphasized by the slim and rigid electrical cord. The play of light is playful but grounded.

We were struck by the dramatically different effect Max Ingrand created with these mid-century lights ( model 2259 from 1955) in patinated brass with polished glass drops for FontanaArte (of which he was artistic director). The play of light here is far more ethereal and subtle, emphasized by the oval cut-out  and the teardrop form. The blue glass on the top of the pendants slowly gives way to a clear glass. All is smooth, elegant and tapered without a hint of industrial or technical reference.

Which do you prefer…..?!

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Bina Baitel, the Franco-Israeli-Swedish design prodigy

Posted on by February 17, 2014

Bina Baitel, the Franco-Israeli-Swedish design prodigy was awarded the 2013 Premier Prix de la Cité Internationale de la tapisserie d’Aubusson in January for this sublime piece called Confluentia. The two small tables connected by an Aubusson tapestry create a new sort of lansdcape flowing from one to the other. Baitel has combined a middle Eastern influence (the user can sit, take tea and socialise on the carpet) with the Renaissance tradition of Aubusson workmanship which originated in central France to create a contemporary piece of breathtaking originality. Both poetic and supremely practical, the carpet makes us think of the serene blue waters of a deep lake rippling in flowing concentric circles. 

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Oki Sato (Nendo) and Go Segawa Table and Sculpture

Posted on by February 17, 2014
Photo: Hiroshi Iwasaki

Photo: Hiroshi Iwasaki

Sculptural Design – this is a theme we are drawn to along with the idea of creating a world (interior) that evokes the aspirations and inspirations of the owner.

Oki Sato’s ‘Deep Sea’ table for Glas Italia presented at Salone di Mobile in Milan this week is a serene experience of expanding volume evoking warm, calm tropical waters (to our minds!), through a process of fusing multiple layers of blue film onto each surface to create varying degrees of saturation. The restricted overall form simultaneously imposes order while seemingly levitating.

It brought to mind another object we’ve been coveting by another Japanese artist: Go Segawa. His ‘Cobalt’ presented last month at Design Days Dubai, is a meditative experience of floating volume evoking a relationship between sculpture and painting and challenging the viewers perceptions of form. On a practical level it is clear PVC ‘painted’ with ink and varnish but the experience is something quite ethereal and exciting!  …

We can source works by these designers for you. Please contact us with inquiries.

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