Duo of Nendo exhibitions at Maison & Objet, Paris
The Tokyo and Milan-based design group Nendo has had a busy few months. Earlier this year, they were named 'designer of the year' by our illustrious panel of judges for Wallpaper's 2012 Design Awards. Now, in celebration of its tenth anniversary, the company - headed up by Oki Sato - is in the midst of a spate of exhibitions. Following a retrospective in Tokyo, they are currently putting on a duo of shows in Paris during Maison & Objet.
Settling in at Galerie Pierre-Alan Challier until 17 March is 'Object Dependency'. The canny collection of 14 pieces looks to invert the functional purpose of furniture with a series of 'weak furniture' by Nendo, intentionally created to be structurally incomplete. The pieces - the most memorable being a bookshelf that only becomes stable when books are placed on it - are inherently dependent on the addition of objects.
Carpenters Workshop Gallery is host to 'Static Bubbles', a testament to the Nendo approach of reshaping the familiar. A collection of poured and blown molten-glass tables (created in conjunction with glass-blowers) are on display along with a selection of sculptural objects fashioned out of agricultural wire.
As is typical, Nendo's designs are disarmingly simple at first sight, but on closer inspection reveal themselves to be clever and innovative, in construction, concept or both. Canadian-born Sato provides what he epigrammatically calls a small '!' moment. And over the past ten years, there have been plenty of those moments at Nendo.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Remembering Richard Serra (1938-2024), American art’s man of steel
American artist Richard Serra, whose vast sculptures transformed landscapes around the world, has died aged 85
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Architectural gardens around the world to soothe the soul
From small domestic gardens, to nature reserves, urban interventions and local parks, here are some of the finest green projects that place nature at their heart
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Corfu hotel Domes Miramare redefines beachfront bliss
Make like Jackie O at Corfu hotel Domes Miramare, a property with contemporary luxury and echoes of 1960s glamour in spades
By Bridget Downing Published
-
Nendo’s collaborations with Kyoto artisans go on view in New York
‘Nendo sees Kyoto’ is on view at Friedman Benda (until 15 October 2022), showcasing the design studio's collaboration with six artisans specialised in ancient Japanese crafts
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
17 designers and artists reinterpret Dior's ‘Medallion’ chair
The Dior ‘Medallion’ chair project marks the French maison's most significant presence at Milan’s Salone del Mobile to date
By Nick Vinson - Art Direction Last updated
-
Cultural crossings at Maison et Objet January 2020
In Paris this January, Maison et Objet (17-21 January) spanned fun rides, poetic performances and a Mediterranean brand launch
By Sujata Burman Last updated
-
A new design, fashion and retail experience opens in Paris
New brand La Manufacture offers French allure and Italian craft under the creative crew of Robert Acouri, Milena Laquale and Luca Nichetto
By Yoko Choy Last updated
-
Designart Tokyo transforms the city into a living, multi-sensory museum
The third edition of the fair (18-27 October) showcases over 100 exhibitions across the Japanese capital
By Danielle Demetriou Last updated
-
New Paris gallery Maison Dentsu explores eccentricity, marble and more
By Anna Yudina Last updated
-
Unmissable moments from the Autumn edition of Paris Design Week
By Sujata Burman Last updated
-
Maison et Objet January 2019: Wallpaper* highlights from the winter edition
By Sujata Burman Last updated