Beyond Couture, Studio Färg and Blanche, Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair

Stockholm Design Week starts Monday February 06, with its key exhibition Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair opening Tuesday 07 till Saturday 11 February. ARTS THREAD previews the highlights.

The most talked about exhibition at last year’s design week was 20 Designers at Biologiska, picked up last year by ARTS THREAD as our one show not to miss. Curated by Fredrik Färg and Emma Marga Blanche, now known as Studio Färg and Blanche, the duo are now producing an installation called Beyond Couture specifically for next week’s fair. It will be a textile exhibition/bar, combining fake nature filled with dressed-up animals and kilt tribes Most of the objects have been specially created by hand in their studio for the exhibition, featuring some 35 seats, 10 tables, 25 lamps and much more. We can’t wait to see it!

In addition, Studio Färg and Blanche are also part of a one day exhibition on February 08 entitled Extra Material, alongside designers Simon Klenell, Vivianne Hedberg Perron, Alexander Lagergren, Sylvain Runberg and Hanna Gradin. Extra Material is about ‘B-sides, extra material, out-takes or bonus material. The creative process often causes a huge amount of material apart from its main product. Material that is worth taking care of.’

Extra Material; In progress to progress, Linnaeus University

During the four days of the exhibition, Linnaeus University will present the work of nine students from different courses at the Schools of Design in Växjö and Kalmar. This year’s title for the booth is In Progress to Progress and the students’ work from Växjö focuses on sustainable development, while the course at Pukeberg (Kalmar) shows works from students of both BA and MA product design students.

Swift, Johanna Stridh, Linnaeus University; Grow, Steneby, The School of Craft and Design

Never Mind the Object #1 from Beckmans College of Design on Vimeo.

Beckmans College of Design, based in Stockholm, is presenting Never Mind the Object. ‘Why should you care about objects? It is not until objects are filled with content and reason that they become meaningful. This exhibition is about ideas which require the observer to dig a little deeper, penetrating the surface. Welcome to the exhibition Never Mind the Object and have a closer look at ten personal projects by the third year students of Product Design, Beckmans College of Design.’

Everyday Tools, Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Mumrik, Petra Wester Nordgren; Felia, Anna Jonsson, The Swedish School of Textiles

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, The School of Design will present a unique selection of uplholstered furniture under the theme RÅSTOF and TEKO, VIA University College in Denmark will showcase work from upcoming furniture designers.

Träakademien-Mittuniversitetet

Stockholm Design Week runs February 06-12 and Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair February 07-11 February.

Der Schmuck Salon; Nail Extensions, Sandra Buyck, St Lucas University College of Art & Design

In advance of the show, ARTS THREAD takes a look at the highlights of Object Rotterdam, taking place February 09-12 at the Las Palmas building in the city’s docklands area.

The majority of the exhibitors are Dutch naturally, with a smattering of Belgian galleries. As the show partners alongside Art Rotterdam, there is an emphasis on design with a focus on art, craft and jewellery.

As ARTS THREAD, we are keen to see the university stands at the show. St Lucas University College of Art & Design in Antwerp is showcasing the work of students from the jewellery/silversmithing department. Entitled Der Schmuck Salon, the exhibition is curated by Hilde De Decker and was created within the research project UnScene, jewellery and presentation. The red plush boudoir fixtures are built in as a showcase for the jewellery. We particularly like the Nail Extensions series using hair, silver and brass by Sandra Buyck.

Rot, Jorge Bakker; Pillow, Mirela Srsa, Sandberg Institute

Red Shell, Catherine Truman; Boxes, Chien-Wei Chang, Galerie Ra

Holier that thou, Christel van der Laan, Galerie Louise Smit; Chain, Ineke Otte

New for 2012 is the appointment of featured designers to the fair, who will create a special attraction at the event. This year’s artists are Ralph Nauta and Lonneke Gordijn of Studio DRIFT, who have created an inter­active installation at the fair, playing with light and shadow.

Fragile Futures, Studio DRIFT

Object Rotterdam runs February 09-12 at the Las Palmas building, Rotterdam.

St Lucas University College of Art & Design
Sandberg Institute
Galerie Ra
Louise Smit
Ineke Otte
Studio DRIFT

Design Village/ Puff & Flock

Designersblock collaborated with the UK’s largest trade interiors event, Interiors UK, to curate a Design Village at the Birmingham NEC. The Village contained unique products and market stalls from up-and-coming and award-winning designers, B&Bs designed by top interior designers and even a Village Local where you could grab a pint and chat with the exhibiting creatives. ARTS THREAD select a few of the best things on show at the Village:

Mentsen/ Puff & Flock/Charlie Sekers

London-based interdisciplinary design practice Mentsen showcased a variety of items from a display shelf to tote and shopping bags. We loved seeing Puff & Flock’s playful collection of furniture created in collaboration with Stuart Melrose, especially the chest of drawers with arms! Charlie Sekers’ neon Lightlight also caught our eye. Made from a continuous line of hand-formed neon, Charlie ‘draws’ a 3D outline of a typical table lamp.

POSTextiles

POSTextiles showed their range of innovative material samples which resembled choral, seaweed and other objects from the ocean.

Peter Bullock

We were mesmerised by Peter Bullock’s live shoemaking performance. Peter sat in the Village all day, expertly crafting his high quality, exceptionally British footwear, seemingly unphased by the droves of visitors milling by.

The New English

We’ve expressed our love for The New English and their incredible tectonic plates several times before, and we can’t stop singing their praises. The New English had a market stall and a fireplace mantel installation in the center of the Village, with our favourite ceramic pieces being the Silence of the Lambs inspired cup and saucer sets.

Mentsen
Puff & Flock
Charlie Sekers
POSTextiles
The New English

Sian Zeng, 'Magnetic Wallpaper'

While some of you might have headed to the high street for your Christmas shopping last weekend, ARTS THREAD were scouting for one-of-a-kind handmade gifts at Cockpit Arts’ Christmas Open Studios. Now in it’s 25th year, the award winning Social Enterprise and ‘creative business incubator’ for designer makers opened its Holborn studio doors to the public for three days, and will be doing the same at the Deptford studios this weekend.

We found the quality of everything on show really impressive, with nothing below par, and some really original concepts across all crafts. There was a great variety of jewellery, fashion, homeware, textiles and lighting.

Our favourite discovery was the interactive magnetic wallpaper by Sian Zeng (above), which features magnetic paper characters that can be moved around an illustrated scene, as well as speech bubbles that can be written on to create a personalised, ever-changing narrative. The concept is based around the changeable nature of fairytales, in which things are not always as they seem, frogs become princes, and vice versa. A Central St Martin’s Textiles graduate, Sian creates unique interior products with strong visual narrative, and her wallpapers have been chosen as one of Heal’s Christmas Picks this year. Sian’s collection of stuffed toys, Christmas cards and cushions all feature her quirky illustrations.

Tania Clarke Hall

Another highlight was Tania Clarke Hall’s dynamic leather jewellery. Inspired by tribal jewellery, Japanese wabi sabi and ‘the beauty of geometric solutions’, Tania explores the potential of leather as a material in jewellery, by bending, weaving, slashing and manipulating vegetable tanned leather in a variety of rich colours.

Sena Gu

We also loved Sena Gu’s tableware featuring fruit and vegetables cast in porcelain. Her cauliflower range seemed to be attracting a lot of attention and we also liked the simplicity of the lemon squeezer. A Royal College of Arts graduate, Sena aims to inject humour and a sense of vibrancy into her work, pulling away from the stereotypes associated with traditional tableware.

Some other stand-out designers deserve a mention – tailor Justin Oh, ceramicists Yoyo Ceramics and Shan Annabelle Valla and Zoe Miller of Tangent Accessories with her beautiful lambswool accessories.

The Deptford Christmas Open Studios will run from 2-4 December at 18-22 Creekside, London, SE8 3DZ. Opening times are 11am- 9pm on Friday and 11am – 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information:

Cockpit Arts Website.
Sian Zeng
Tania Clarke Hall
Sena Gu

Giles Miller, 'Cardboard Christmas Trees'

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your corrugated branches!

London-based designer Giles Miller, world renowned for his cardboard based designs and work for clients including Stella McCartney, Sheraton Hotel Edinburgh and Selfridges, has been commissioned by London Design Museum to design a set of bespoke cardboard Christmas trees to be sold exclusively through the Museum’s shop during the festive season.

In addition, Giles has created an extra special tree to be decorated by illustrator Daniel Heath, which is set to hang in the museum’s public atrium. The tree stands six meters tall and is possibly the largest of its kind! Made from 3,600 individually cut and handmade pieces, the tree is in with a chance of securing the title of ‘World’s Tallest Cardboard Christmas Tree’ after The Design Museum submitted an application to the Guinness Book of World Records.

We imagine these trees will sell out pretty fast so if you want to get your hands on one then head over to The Design Museum Shop now before they’re all gone!

Design Museum Christmas Tree will be available to view from 2nd December- 5th January 2012 at London Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD.

To buy your own, visit the The Design Museum Shop website.

Giles Miller Studio website.

Sarah Ford Textiles /BOREAL / Lucy Leaver

The Designers Marketplace at The Holy Biscuit, Newcastle took place this weekend as part of the city’s Design Event festival. The Marketplace has been running for three years with the aim to support and promote creative entrepreneurs working in the North of England.

Designers Marketplace currently represent over 150 businesses including graduates and well established artists and designers with the likes of Vicky Trainor, SurfacePhilia and Punky Pins being just some of the big names associated with the event.

Jamie Josef Fry Studio & Jon Aspinall/ Cath Ball/ Retreat

A veritable treasure trove awaited visitors to the Marketplace with a wide variety of hand-made, bespoke items on sale directly from the designers themselves. Fine art, photography, textiles, fashion, illustrations, prints and ceramics are just a handful of the things which were on offer.

Holly Flanagan/ Vicky Trainor/ SurfacePhilia

The Designers Marketplace currently holds bi-monthly markets in Newcastle as well as half yearly markets in Middlesbrough – but they plan on venturing further afield so keep your eyes peeled for future markets near you!

Visit the Design Event site for full listings of the festival running October 14-18 2011.

For more info on the markets and how to get involved visit the Designers Marketplace website.

Photography by Helen Stevens

Nóra Nagy/ Kinga Gergely/ Kinga Horányi

First year students of the BA metalworks course at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) exhibit their experimental paper jewellery designs alongside the latest cardboard furniture collection created by Terbe Design.

Held at the Ráday Picture House, the exhibition highlights the tactile nature of paper and cardboard as well as promoting the use of recyclable materials.

There were several MOME students whose work we really liked, but we were particularly drawn to Nóra Nagy’s dainty toe rings made simply by cutting and folding small pieces of paper into bird shapes and other motifs.

Nearby was Kinga Gergely’s giant collar which slots beneath the wearer’s arms to dramatically frame the head and shoulders and Kinga Horányi’s lovely, bright red piece which, when worn on the elbow, fans out to display the numerous layers of paper which hold it together.

Cardboard lighting, vase and storage units by Terbe Design

On the opposite side of the gallery, Terbe Design presented their collection of furniture, lamps, vases and storage units created from laminated/corrugated cardboard and Kartonflex panels. The lightweight materials are highly durable and the designs are surprisingly sophisticated. We could imagine several of the pieces integrating nicely into our homes!

Cardboard Furniture, Paper Jewellery runs from 29th September – 20th October 2011 at the Ráday Picture House, 25 Ráday utca, 1092 Budapest.

Budapest Design Week Website.

Kami Pots, Ett La Benn

Interiors store Mint explores the unconventional in this year’s LDF, featuring the work of 60 designers from around the world, with an emphasis on the use of materials to produce the least likely of products and finishes. Open until Friday September 30th, look out for everything from seating, tables and lighting to jewellery, ceramics and much more.

Kami Pots are a beautiful collection of both pots and home lighting designed by Ett La Benn. Inspired by innovation and high aesthetics Ett La Benn likes to produce products that bring ‘innovation into reality.’ The Kami Pots do just this, manufactured from 100% biodegradable cellulose and manufactured by air-drying. This attention to ecological developments in their designs allows the natural raw finish to be visible.

Funky Dread Stool, Jolanda van Goor

Jack, Jacob and Jim coatstands, Silo Studio

Silo Studio contributes with these vibrant Jack, Jacob and Jim coatstands. The form is inspired by the act of hanging your clothes and the material is soft to reflect the items falling onto the skin. Manufactured by a simple and expressive technique, the details of the stitch and grain of the textile are a prominent feature. The material used is ‘Not So Expanded Polystyrene’ and by adding a variety of coloured granules the desired ‘noisy pixelated’ quality is achieved.

Sachetto Armchair, Spalvieri Del Ciotto

Spalvieri Del Ciotto displays this wonderfully versatile seating at Mint this year. The Sachetto Armchair is a celebration of the material Tyvek, a non-woven high-density polyethylene, which aesthetically looks like waxed paper. Tyvek is a waterproof and uv-resistant material allowing it to live happily both in and outside. Manufactured using a modern ultrasonic soldering technique, the Sachetto Armchair is incredibly resistant but still maintains a delicate appearance.

If I had a Heart, I could love you, Malene Hartmann Rasmussen; Fear of the dark, Sarah Birnie

Look out also for two designers who were also at Designersblock with ARTS THREAD, Malene Hartmann Rasmussen with her ceramic installation If I had a Heart, I could love you and Sarah Birnie‘s Fear of the Dark, also in ceramics.

Mint Explores, Mint, 2, North Terrace, Alexander Square, London, SW3 2BA, runs until 30th September. Open Mon-Sat 10:30am-6:30pm, Sun 12pm-5pm.

Ett La Benn
Jolanda van Goor
Silo Studio

Chau Har Lee, Shoes

Cut Laser Cut is all about diversity. Boasting a ‘Winning laser cutting and engraving service for creatives,’ the studio is open for public viewing during LDF and is showcasing the latest work from current designers.

Founded by a team of designers, Cut Laser Cut is a unique manufacturing company, and with the leading industry machines, they have the ability to satisfy a great variety of needs from one off to sub contract projects.

Chau Har Lee is a very reputable shoe designer who is famous for her unique laser cut shoe designs. Working closely with Cut Laser Cut, Chau produces fun and innovative shoes designed to make a statement. Each shoe more individual than the last, Chau’s shoes are currently on sale in Selfridges on a made to order basis.

A* Food Design, Dehydrated Banana Leaf Doily's

Dehydrated Banana Leaf Doily’s, are just one of the many pieces of work created by A* Food Design.

‘Fascinated by taste, visual aesthetic and the setting in which we consume food A* merges design and gastronomy to deliver food as a multi sensory experience.’

These pieces demonstrate the delicate and intricate detail that can be produced by Cut Laser Cut.

Massow Design, Aura

Aura is the most recent series of HemmeSphere Lighting designed by Massow Design. Inspired by traditional lighting forms, these exciting laser cut pieces have only just been put into production and can be manufactured in a choice of materials including plywood, acrylic or mild steel.

Cut Laser Cut Studio, Arch 45B, South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SR, running until 24th September. Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 11am-5pm.

Contact:
www.cutlasercut.com
www.astarism.co.uk
www.chauharlee.com
www.massowdesign.com

Power of Making, the V&A and Craft Council’s much-talked-about collaborative exhibition, provides a fascinating window on the landscape of ‘making’ in the 21st Century. It asks questions about the role of craft in our modern society, a role that is too often overlooked, through the exhibition of 100 crafted objects including a life-size crocheted bear, a dress made from pins, a lego dissected frog, a life-like marzipan baby and handcrafted puppets from animated film Fantastic Mr Fox.

Interpreted clearly and concisely with insightful graphics, Power of Making tackles different issues to do with making by grouping objects with similar attributes together, tackling topics such as scaling, casting, new tooling, human motion mimicry, fixing and remaking. Traditional crafts such as dry stone walling, millinery and cobbling are represented alongside cutting edge scientific and technological creations such as facial prosthetics, interactive textiles and 3D printers.

Makerbot 3D printer ©V&A Images/ Crochetdermy Bear © Shauna Richardson/ Fingerprint Suspension Lamp ©DETAIL.MGX Dan Yeffet

There are objects that celebrate the whimsical nature of making, which can be a strong source of inspiration and innovation, as well as those that demonstrate the significance of making as an ‘anchor of identity’ and a means of expressing lived experience. There is tribute paid to the immense skill of traditional master craftsmen, while also looking at the application of digital processes in modern crafting.

It is a real educational trip of an exhibition. We learn that there are only three processes of making – subtracting, adding and transforming – and that making can be a means of problem solving, of survival, or artistic expression. It shows us how crafting can often be obsessive, that makers increasingly play with preconceptions about materials, techniques and disciplines by applying them in unexpected contexts, and that more often than not there is a desire amongst makers to be the best or the first at something.

E-Shoe © Chicks on Speed/ Alphabet  by Dalton Ghetti © Sloan T. Howard Photography

There is an overwhelming sense throughout that we are being inspired and encouraged to try our hands at creating, something supported by an interesting range of events and workshops running alongside the exhibition. The idea that anyone can create, that everything is created, and that we are fast moving into an important time of knowledge sharing and cross-discipline collaboration, are excitedly demonstrated by what is, if nothing else, a tantalising collection of made objects.

Adding even more colour to the show is a hypnotic documentary film by Juriaan Booij, presented in a triptych format, showing makers from a diverse range of disciplines in action at their craft. 40 winners of an open submission film competition are also displayed, showing the breadth of creativity that exists from many varied geographical and cultural backgrounds.

Power of Making © V&A Images

Power of Making runs in The Porter Gallery at the V&A until 2nd January 2012. Admission is free.

Power of Making
Juriaan Booij ‘Triptych’