A visual universe: OS ∆ OOS bring ’Synthesis’ to Zürich’s Roehrs & Boetsch

Dutch design duo OS ∆ OOS's first solo exhibition gives an overview of the two young creatives’ visual universe. Hosted at Zürich’s Roehrs & Boetsch, the retrospective is aptly titled ‘Synthesis’, and it offers a summary of the pair’s visual universe.
Oskar Peet and Sophie Mensen met while studying at Design Academy Eindhoven, from which they both graduated in 2009. In their work, the duo have constantly been concerned with a balance of shape, colour and lines, and their production has so far resulted in a cohesive portfolio of objects ranging from lighting to seating, via material experiments and smaller accessories.
For ‘Synthesis’, the pair worked on a new project, presented alongside their existing collections. 'Perspective no. 1' and 'Perspective no. 2' are two objects that expand on previous research into transparency and overlapping layers. The large-scale objects are formed by juxtaposing different transparent layers, offering an ever-changing experience to the viewers.
Other projects on show include the designers’ 'Mono-Lights', a modular series of illumination devices created in 2014, combining LED with tubular metal rods: two standard elements combined to create a sophisticated new collection. The designers’ 'Key Stone' seating also features in the exhibition; initially presented in Milan by Rossana Orlandi in 2013, the concrete and stone chair was later adapted in softer materials and Kvadrat fabrics by Danish design firm Please Wait to be Seated.
The show offers a rare opportunity to delve deeper into the aesthetic universe of Peet and Mensen. Seeing their oeuvre under one roof helps understand this complex visual world, formed by balanced elements, transparencies and clever shape compositions.
The exhibition is an opportunity to delve deeper into the two young creatives’ visual universe: Oskar Peet and Sophie Mensen have long been concerned with balance of shape, colour and lines, and their production so far has resulted in an incredibly cohesive portfolio of objects
For ‘Synthesis’, the Dutch pair worked on a new project, presented alongside their existing collections. ’Perspective no. 1’ and ’Perspective no. 2’ are two objects that expand on previous research into transparency and overlapping layers. Pictured: ’Perspective no. 2’
’Perspective no. 1’, one of the new projects the duo presented at the exhibition
A light from the designers’ ’Primary Fluorescents’ series – in development since 2012 – featuring aluminium and neon tubes
A double view of the dynamic ’Syzygy’ lights. The series caught our attention when it was first released in 2012, gaining the pair a Wallpaper* Design Award
Further iterations of the designers’ ’Syzygy’ lights
The ’Twin’ lamp is a personal search for the correlations between colour, material and light in a single object
Other projects on show include the designers’ ’Mono-Lights’, a modular series of illumination devices created in 2014, combining LED with tubular metal rods – two standard elements combined to create a sophisticated new collection
INFORMATION
’OS ∆ OOS: Synthesis’ is on view until 2 July. For more information, visit the Roehrs & Boetsch website
ADDRESS
Roehrs & Boetsch
Bachstrasse 9
8038 Zürich
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Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
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