Okay Studio exhibition at Galerie Vivid, Rotterdam
Back in 2005, Dutch furniture manufacturer Arco invited 12 young designers to create a piece of furniture in response to its archives. The Arco 12 project proved a triumph, spawning the multi-award-winning Slim Table by Bertjan Pot among other pieces now in production, so it's no surprise that Arco should bring the format back for the next instalment. And with Okay Studio's Jorre van Ast now at the creative director helm, it seemed only natural that the London-based design collective should take up the challenge.
Situated in a former piano factory in north east London, Okay Studio is something of a creative hotbed. 'Even though the designers work independently, as a group they really bring out the best in each other,' says van Ast. 'They are all former fellow students, so setting up this workshop with them was a logical step for me.'
Thus he transplanted the designers, including the likes of Peter Marigold, Shay Alkalay and Oscar Narud, to Winterswijk in the Netherlands, where they got together to develop ideas and execute them in Arco's furniture factory. This time around, however, he charged the designers (including himself) to create something completely different to Arco's collection - which largely comprises of tables, chairs and cupboards - bearing in mind the capabilities of the brand's production facilities.
Highlights include Raw-Edges' bread box, featuring a knife that acts as a lever. Once open, the box becomes a board and the knife can be pulled out for use. Then there's Peter Marigold's satisfyingly simple foldable table and his magazine rack on wheels that comes equipped with an arm rest for easy reading. The full fruits of the designers' labour are now on show at Galerie Vivid in Rotterdam, alongside a selection of works from their portfolio.
ADDRESS
Galerie Vivid
Red Apple building
Scheepmakershaven 17
3011VA Rotterdam
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.
-
Two new books examine the art of the logo, from corporate coherence to rock excess
Pentagram’s new book reveals 1,000 brand marks, while the art of the band logo is laid bare in Logo Rhythm
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Art, culture, watches & jewellery editor Hannah Silver’s gift guide
From a Beryl Cook cushion to an offbeat diamond ring, there's something for everyone on this Wallpaper* editor's gift guide, embracing art, culture and style
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Feldspar makes its mark on Mayfair with a festive pop-up at Corinthia Hotel
Devon-based bone china brand Feldspar makes its first foray into shopkeeping with a pop-up at London’s Corinthia Hotel. Ali Morris speaks with the founders and peeks inside
By Ali Morris Published
-
Solar light and modular cabin win Life-Enhancer of the Year: Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022
Marjan van Aubel's ‘Sunne’ solar light and the Space of Mind cabin, by Studio Puisto, Made by Choice and Protos Demos, are the joint winners of this year's Life-Enhancer category
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Best of Dutch Design Week 2021
After a virtual edition, Dutch Design Week is back for 2021 (until 24 October) with a physical showcase of creative talent across the city of Eindhoven celebrating the design event’s 20th anniversary
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Ten years of Muller Van Severen, at Design Museum Ghent
A new exhibition by Belgian design duo Muller Van Severen (until 6 March 2022) features a retrospective of the studio’s ten years as well as a curation of pieces from the Design Museum Ghent collections
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Dutch Design Week 2020: Ikea’s virtual greenhouse, networking fungi, and rethinking waste
Moving its programme of talks and exhibition online (17 – 25 October), the Eindhoven-based design event virtually showcases future-oriented design thinking, material innovation and next generation talent
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Dutch Design Week 2019 captures the zeitgeist
What to expect from the 18th year of Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, from social design to sustainable innovations
By Giovanna Dunmall Last updated
-
Fashion sustainability explored and rebranded by a new digital experience in Amsterdam
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Last updated
-
Former military barracks and a 1960s home to host new launches at Dutch Design Week
By Giovanna Dunmall Last updated
-
Earth-shaking new products, prototypes, experiences and immersions with our new Wallpaper* Moonshots Division
By Nick Compton Last updated