Brushed-up bronze: Design MVW present ’XiangSheng’ at Galerie BSL, Paris

Shanghai-based studio Design MVW are showcasing their new collection of bronze pieces
Shanghai-based studio Design MVW are showcasing their new collection of bronze pieces, ’XiangSheng’, at Paris’s Galerie BSL in an inaugural exhibition outside of China. Left: ’Side Table #3’, 2015. Right: ’II Shelving Unit’, 2016
(Image credit: MVW )
By Sujata Burman
last updated

Following their Wallpaper* Design Award win in 2014 – for their smart and sharp wood work for Giorgetti – Shanghai-based studio Design MVW are now having an affair with bronze. Hosting their new collection 'XiangSheng’ is Paris’ Galerie BSL, in their inaugural showing outside Shanghai.

Founded by Chinese designer Xu Ming and French architect Virginie Moriette, the duo merge their cultural backgrounds to form abstractly crafted forms. Taking their next sculptural step with the bold alloy material, the pair bring a beautiful eloquence to the metal, retaining its boisterous masculinity while carving it into artistic architectural pieces.

Comprised of tables, a sideboard and shelving, Design MVW presents the rough material in delicately oxidised finishes and a mix of clear-cut ends, large luscious arches and abnormal silhouettes, so their 360-degree perspectives are constantly changing.

Playing with the material's hue are their 'Console' and 'II Cabinet'; the sleek, brushed shimmering bronze contrasting with the tarnished teal exterior of the console and the dark brown finish to the cabinet, itself appearing almost wooden.

The whimsical serrated edges in the Jenga-style 'II Shelving Unit' shows that rigid geometry is not the designers' aim. Similarly, each of the five sides to the 'Side table #3' are different and the massive structure of the 'II Cabinet' sits on two short, animalistic legs.

With all of these perspectives ‘XiangSheng’ is revealed as a dynamic collection that, funnily enough, started as a visit to a factory and stumbling upon some waste metal sheets. Impressively, Design MWV managed to repurpose the scrap to a level so abstractly animated that it is now set to travel to PAD Paris and Design Shanghai (both are held in March).

Founded by Chinese designer Xu Ming and French architect Virginie Moriette, the duo merge their cultural backgrounds

Founded by Chinese designer Xu Ming and French architect Virginie Moriette, the duo merge their cultural backgrounds to form abstractly crafted forms. Pictured: ’Console,’ 2015

(Image credit: Xu Ming)

Comprised of tables, a sideboard and shelving, Design MVW presents a mix of clear-cut ends, large curvaceous arches and abnormal silhouettes

Comprised of tables, a sideboard and shelving, Design MVW presents a mix of clear-cut ends, large curvaceous arches and abnormal silhouettes, so their 360-degree perspectives are constantly changing. Pictured: ’Side Table #3’, 2015

(Image credit: Design MVW)

The sleek, brushed shimmering bronze contrasts with the dark brown finish, which itself appears almost wooden

’II Cabinet’, pictured here, plays with the natural hues of the material. The sleek, brushed shimmering bronze contrasts with the dark brown finish, which itself appears almost wooden

(Image credit: XiangSheng)

’XiangSheng’ is now set to travel to PAD Paris and Design Shanghai – both are held next month

’XiangSheng’ is now set to travel to PAD Paris and Design Shanghai – both are held next month. Pictured: ’II Console’, 2016

(Image credit: XiangSheng)

INFORMATION

Design MVW’s ’XiangSheng’ is on view until 16 April. For more information, visit Galerie BSL’s website

ADDRESS

Galerie BSL
10, rue Bonaparte
75006 Paris

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TOPICS
Shanghai China Pavilion of Art and Design
Sujata Burman
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