In the frame: 2015's standout designs from around the globe
In the frame: 2015's standout designs from around the globe
Grappa di Pratolungo by Alberto Alessi and laura Pessina
23 December
Last year, designer Alberto Alessi launched his wine label, fulfilling his dream of producing wine in his native Lake Orta, located to the west of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. In 2001, he and his wife Laura Pessina bought a 16th-century farmstead there (which was renovated by their friend and colleague Alessandro Mendini), and a few years later started working on the first wines under the label La Signora Eugenia e il Passero Solitario – meaning Madam Eugenia and the Solitary Sparrow, after the house’s original owner and the local fauna. This winter, grappa was added to the production. Six years in the making, the fine Italian spirit is the fruit of a collaboration with local distilleries and features different grapes, depending on each year’s harvest. The identity of the project and the labels were created by Spanish designer Martí Guixé, a long-time Alessi collaborator, and each bottle is numbered and signed by Alessi and Pessina.
€44 for 50cl, from La Signora Eugenia e il Passero Solitario
Writer: Rosa Bertoli. Photography: Emma Blau
This is Nørrebro
22 December
The launch of a new set of prints by graphic design studio Hamide took place at new design hot spot Sirin in Copenhagen last week.
Celebrating the district of Nørrebro, the artwork embraces the trendy village’s rich culture through a crossword-style display of letters making up the different landmarks in the area, shown vertically through the bold ‘This is Nørrebro’ sign.
Designed as part of the ‘Soul of the City’ range of prints from the Copenhagen-based design duo who explore each district as research for the pieces, 'We cycled through its streets, smelled its air and looked for the soul of Nørrebro' they muse.
Previous prints include This is Rosklide and This is Aarhus, all designed in strong solid colours and a simple typograph.
Writer: Sujata Burman
New School of Architecture
21 December
The rust-red, Cor-Ten steel-clad New School of Architecture in Stockholm, which opened its doors to students earlier in the year, appears to have been gently placed on its narrow site at the Royal Institute of Technology. Designed by Bolle Tham and Martin Videgård, its rounded edges were created in response to the triangular site, and it makes a confident contemporary statement surrounded by Erik Lallerstedt’s early-20th century red-brick campus buildings. The school’s plan allows for flexibility and transparency, housing a workshop and exhibition area, lecture halls, architecture studios and offices.
Writer: Daniel Golling. Photography: Liam Warwick
As originally featured in the January 2015 issue of Wallpaper* (*202)
Under/Standing sculpture
18 December
New Zealand’s Brancott Estate has enlisted Dror Benshetrit to create an installation for its vineyards, where the world’s first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was created in 1979. The New York-based designer was inspired by he combination of science and art that Brancott stands for, which reminded him of his own passion for geometry and physics. His sculpture, a render of which is pictured above, is to be unveiled in 2016. The 9m-tall Corten steel structure appears to be stretching open through its network of rhomboid shapes. Called Under/Standing, it has inspired a limited-edition steel wine rack, also available next year.
Writer: Rosa Bertoli. Photograph: Emma Blau
As originally featured in the December 2015 issue of Wallpaper* (*201)
Brecon Estate Winery
17 December
The Brecon Estate Winery’s recent makeover is the brainchild of San Francisco practice Aidlin Darling Design. Located in Paso Robles (the fastest growing wine region in California), the estate was housed in a building that ‘had virtually no relationship to the land that surrounded it,’ explain the architects Joshua Aidlin and David Darling. They completely reorganised the production facility, partly cladding it in untreated cedar. The tasting area (pictured here) is a key element of the new design. Spilling out onto a sizeable, cantilevered deck, it creates a clever transition between indoors and outdoors. Future plans include a new subterranean production facility.
Writer: TF Chan. Photography: Emma Blau
As originally featured in the December 2015 issue of Wallpaper* (*201)
Plastic Fantastic
14 December
Designer Bethan Laura Wood brings her eccentric style to London's creative emporium, Sketch. Commissioned for the festive season as their yearly installation, Plastic Fantastic has been described as both a ‘riot of weird and wonderful’ and ‘Elizabethan meets Verner Panton POP’ in the visually psychedelic piece.
The installation embellishes the venue’s entrance hall in a mix of glitter, PVC and jewelled shapes, joined together to create streamers and hanging colourful garlands across the dark walls of the 18th century listed Mayfair building.
In her true eclectic style which marries Sketch’s artful aesthetic perfectly, her shapes include everything from crosses and flowers to drop and round pearl imitations. These are all joined together to appear as classic Christmas decorations, with a kaleidoscopic twist.
Plastic Fantastic remains on show at Sketch till 6 January 2016 and joins the introduction of some seasonal additions to its menu including Quail egg and caviar alongside Malabar Marshmallow for afternoon tea paired with a musical surprise during its service.
Writer: Sujata Burman. Photography: Mark Cocksedge
Festive bundles
10 December
Hackney-based company Technology Will Save Us, an enterprise encouraging individuals to interact with technology through educating them in coding, playing and inventing have just released their Christmas gifts for 2015. Their products boast an attractively vibrant and playful style that enables technology to be more accessible.
Included in the Christmas collection is this DIY Gamer kit that is now available in three primary colours and cases. The kit allows you to delve into the world of electric games by making them from scratch, even allowing the individual to solder it together to create classic games to play.
The festive bundles also includes the popular DIY Electro Dough luxe box for young techies to sculpt dough figures that can both light-up and produce sounds.
Writer: Sujata Burman
Issue 28 - The Thing Quarterly
9 December
Artist-run publication The Thing Quarterly are launching their latest issue, a unique set of 1000 handmade ceramic lottery balls by visual artists Jason Fulford and Tamara Shopsin.
Launching originally in 2007, The Thing Quarterly is magazine that arrives in the form of objects in the hope to make art more accessible and affordable.
Previous issues include, double-sided playing cards by Ryan Gander in collaboration with Europa, John Baldessarri’s black and white printed pillowcases and a catalogue of Brian Roettinger’s design work.
For Fulford and Shopsin's project on issue 28, one of the balls contains a diamond and the other 999 contains cubic zirconia, the artist wished to address the issue of choice as to whether you take the chance and smash the balls to find the diamond, or not. In celebration its launch, The Thing Quarterly is hosting a bingo party at New York’s Ace hotel.
Writer: Sujata Burman
Studio in the park
8 November
Last week Storm King Arts Centre in New York announced their 2016 special exhibition: Dennis Oppenheim: Terrestrial Studio which will be on display from 14 May to 13 November next year. Comprising fiercely creative, quirky pieces from Oppenheim's impressive oeuvre, the exhibition has a distinctly outdoorsy theme. Amongst many other cross-medium pieces (including sculpture, photography and installation) the shirt-and-tie entrance gate (which has a shadow made of a hedge, and benches for buttons) is a never-before-seen highlight.
Interacting with Oppenheim's work is a consecutive exhibition: Outlooks: Josephine Halvorson, where a series of hand-painted, sculptural measuring rulers will be dotted around Storm King's expansive grounds. Ranging from 12 to 36 feet tall, they will be a perceptive tool, used to portray the scale of Oppenheim's work. As Halvorson explains, 'I want these painted sculptures to heighten an individual’s curiosity of the environment, and their place within it.'
Pictured left: Entrance Piece, by Dennis Oppenheim, 2002. Right: Painted sketch, by Josephine Halvorson, 2014. Courtesy the artist and Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York
Writer: Elly Parsons
Kinnasand Paris flagship
7 December
Opening in the heart of the creative district of Haut-Marais in Paris is the Swedish brand Kinnasand's second European flagship.
Built in a national heritage property, the minimalist showroom evokes classic Scandinavian influences in its pastel hued walls, Douglas fir flooring and clean lines across the two storey space. Showing off the collection in a lifestyle set with furniture by brands including Vitra, Maruni and Knoll, the elegant materials themselves hang as if in a wardrobe or draped from the ceiling, viewable from the a mezzanine that overlooks the ground floor.
The new space coincides with the launch of ZOOM, a new collection of 24 textiles and a rug combining silk, wool, cashmere and linen in similar simplistic shades.
Writer: Sujata Burman
WORK SHOP NEW TOWN
4 December
This is yet another destination that is putting the suburban area of Newtown on the Johannesburg cultural map. The former market square Potato Shed location has been reinvented with a space full of over 100 design, fashion and lifestyle brands.
Designed in a collaboration between South African design consultancy Source and Atelier Interiors, the raw and industrial space boasts a modern marketplace for brands such as Black Coffee, Kat van Duinen, Kisua and Wolf and Maiden.
In addition to being a dynamic retail space, the location will host multiple events and is set to open a hotel in the vicinity.
Writer: Sujata Burman
2016 colour of the year
4 December
Never obviously untoward, Pantone continues with its zeitgeist defining tradition of naming the colour of the year - or colours of the year, as is the case with 2016. PANTONE 15-3919 Serenity and PANTONE 13-1520 Rose Quartz take pride of place come the New Year. Both calming, relaxing hues, they reflect the innermost desires of soothing respite from turbulent times, claim the colour experts. As well as movements of gender fluidity and equality seen in the fashion and social realms.
Writer: Sam Rogers
My Light Is Your Light
3 December
Lebanese designer Alaa Minawi presents this emotive installation as a tribute to suffering Syrian refugees. His delicate lighting depicts the walk of a struggling family capturing the true essence of pain through the illumination.
Initially presented last year, the powerful installation will join a collection of 17 different pieces set to go on show in Canary Wharf in January in an exhibition called 'Winter Lights 2016.' The show will explore how artists from four different continents use light to present their art while lighting up the city at the same time.
Alaa Minawi explains of My Light Is Your Light: 'It is an installation that reflects both harshness and aspects of hope.'
Writer: Sujata Burman
Everything has a sole
2 December
Copenhagen-based studio PUTPUT is at it again: creating recognisably unintelligible inmates that force spectators to look twice. Under their unique approach now is Scandinavian footwear company Bianco, under the guise of ‘Everything has a sole’ concept. The creative campaign combines everyday objects and materials with known elements of shoes - heels and soles - to create rather playful images.
Writer: Sam Rogers
Face Mirror
1 December
This playful design comprises the unique marquetry of Caesarstone quartz and designer Jaime Hayon's interest for primitive masks. Recently revealed as part of the Funtastico – an exhibition encompassing ten years of the Spanish designer's work at Design Museum Holon – its pattern of geometric shapes is complemented by the warm mix of maroon with different shades of grey quartz in an artistic Hayon-style.
'Every culture, folklore and civilisation has masks, which makes me wonder: what would happen if you found a mask 2000 years from now?' Hayon muses about the design concept of the mirror that will remain as a permanent piece at the museum.
Writer: Sujata Burman
Proteca 360 from Nendo
27 November
A polycarbonate suitcase with a zipper might not initially sound like much of a design statement, but the Proteca comes with a 360 degree twist. This innovative suitcase can be opened from any angle: top, side, front or bottom, providing sensible, immediate access to everything inside your case. An internally raised frame helps you get your hands on inner pockets without unearthing all your neatly folded garments.
Benefiting from the classic Nendo utlility-meets-style balance, the suitcase's shell is satisfyingly textured, and 100% waterproof thanks to the ultra-durable, all-around zipper design. Rolling along on silent casters, this flagship model is the first release and ultimate embodiment of Proteca's 2015 complete brand revamp.
Photograph: Akihiro Yoshida
Writer: Elly Parsons
Bespoke bike: Maserati x Cipollini
26 November
A modern sports car manufacturer needs a bicycle in its portfolio, for nothing says engineering finesse, material sophistication and performance purity than an artful arrangement of slender metal tubes and gears. Maserati’s latest collaboration with Cipollini is extremely bespoke – just a single example is being made. Working alongside the legendary sprint racer Mario Cipollini, owner of the Cipollini brand, the Maserati Cipollini BOND road bike will be auctioned off for charity. With a frame painted in Maserati’s signature blue and white, the new bike also bears the red trident and branding for the Rouleur Classic, where Maserati are title sponsors.
For more information, visit the Champions of Cycle website
Writer: Jonathan Bell
Magic carpet
20 November
ABC Carpet & Home's inimitable knack of fusing spirituality with design comes to life with its latest release: an 80-strong collection of one-of-a-kind Tibetan rugs that showcase a spectrum of iconic motifs.
Originally owned by prominent leaders and religious figures, the carpets were made to convey power and holy standing (no irony intended). Made by monks using time-honoured weaving methods, the sumptuous collection is also surprisingly graphic with its contemporary leanings.
'The Tibetan rug collection includes 80 hand selected masterpieces that have withheld the test of time,' says Graham head, vice chairman of ABC Carpet & Home. 'Each rug tells its own story, laced with symbolic meaning.'
$1,200-$4,000, available from ABC Carpet & home, www.abchome.com
Writer: Pei-Ru Keh
THE+RADIO
18 November
Stripping back the bells and whistles that adorn many contemporary audio systems, THE+RADIO’s design is centered on simplicity. It is easy to use with a pure sound and timeless look.
Designed by respected Central St Martins and Atelier Bellini graduate Alexander Ahnebrink, THE+RADIO is as much about sound design as it is about the visuals. Employing a team of experienced ‘listeners’, THE+AUDIO spent days creating the most accurate and lifelike voicing possible. Because of this, the mid-range peak of other small, cabinet radios has been replaced with a full, rangy sound, impressive for a system with such a small driver. Unlike other ‘design’ radios, THE+RADIO offers clear, reliable reception without the need of unsightly telescopic antennas.
Available in a range of retro-pastel colours, the casing design is deliberately (and stylishly) muted, allowing the high-quality sound design to speak for itself.
Available at WallpaperSTORE*
Courtesy: THE+AUDIO
Writer: Elly Parsons
Pluto and Proserpina
17 November
Jeff Koons’ imposing, 11-foot-tall Pluto and Proserpina has been loaned to the luxurious Bal Harbour Shops in Miami. The piece is a gift from art mogul, developer and MALBA museum founder, Eduardo Costantini.
The million-dollar sculpture is covered in mirror-polished stainless steel with a transparent color coating, finished with live, blooming flowers. Until recently, Pluto and Proserpina provided a shiny, contemporary counterpart to the old masterpieces (including Michelangelo’s ‘David’) in Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio.
Unlike New York, which has Koons’ Balloon Flower, Miami is yet to have a major Koons sculpture so openly visible to the public. The piece's stature, as well as its placement in such a prominent location, represents major retail and real estate giants joining forces to push Miami onto the world stage, as a blossoming arts destination.
Pluto and Proserpina was unveiled on November 12, the week of Bal Harbour Shops’ semi-centennial celebrations and will remain on show for the duration of Art Basal Miami.
Writer: Elly Parsons
Rust
16 November
The unique texture of these vessels derives from a new form of recycling material. Designer Ariane Prin has mixed left over metal dust from key cutting together with plaster and eco-resin to form these handmade pots, trays and vases which were released during London Design Festival this year.
Since graduating from RCA in 2011, the French-born creative has been testing the boundaries of waste materials to produce contemporary design pieces. For the Rust range, Prin mixes the materials together by hand then moulds them to create these robust and curvaceous vessels. Through varnishing and shaping them herself, Prin ensures that each piece is individual in its organic oxidised colour and modern graduated structure.
Writer: Sujata Burman
HJ Bag
13 November
Owning a piece by Konstantin Grcic, Jasper Morrison Klaarthe Martens and now Hella Jongerius has never been easier, thanks to Maharam’s ongoing accessories collection, which sees the company task the aforementioned creatives to design a carry-all after their own (and our) hearts. Structured and utilitarian, the bags are made from Maharam fabrics and brim over with thoughtful, owner-focused details that articulate the trademark visions of its creator.
Hella Jongerius’ HJ bag is the collection’s newest addition: a shoulder bag inspired by dressing and the different layers that are revealed. Made from waxed cotton canvas and leather in three different colourways, the U-shaped bag comes with a second tote - either in navy or printed with a version of Jongerius’ Confetti pattern fabric - that pulls closed with a drawstring. Finished off with a natural Italian leather shoulder strap with contrasting stitching, it is the first bag created by Jongerius.
Writer: Pei-Ru Keh
Simplify
12 November
Australian design collective Groupwork draws on the minimalist aesthetic of creating highly functional yet refined pieces. This project in particular is a collaborative effort between architect Murray Barker, interior architect (and director of Groupwork) Sarah Trotter and artist Esther Stewart. Suitably entitled ‘Simplify’ and created in Melbourne, the project aimed to create easy to use and beautifully designed bathroom objects. The brass, chrome black and oak range is made up of bracket, rail and blocks that are effortlessly fitted and removed. In a contrast to the usual sanitary ware available in ceramic, these austere and interchangeable pieces bring a sense of warmth and style to the clinical room.
Originally shown during Milan Design week 2014 as a prototype, the range is now available to buy separately as toilet roll holder, small block storage, rack and mostly recently launched toothbrush holder. Groupwork are now planning waterproof accessories for the future to make their pieces shower-friendly.
Writer: Sujata Burman
Symmetry
6 November
Shown during 100% Design in London this year, 'Symmetry' celebrates truly traditional Chinese craft. Designed originally as part of Artisan Revival – a program aiming to keep historic art forms and techniques alive – the geometrical tool set is by furniture brand WUU which was founded last year by designer Chen Furong.
Using the mathematical method of CNC (Computerised Numerical Control) technology, Furong produced the fine precision and sharp lines of an almost industrial yet slightly patterned collection. These tools are reinvented contemporary forms of classic shapes from the region of Fuzhou where the designer was placed during his three month residency at Artisan Revival.
Furong has most recently won the award for Best Chinese Emerging Designer in Design Shanghai and his work for WUU follows a distinct geometrical aesthetic seen in his hexagonal desktop series and 3D printed paperweight.
Writer: Sujata Burman
Draped weave
5 November
New York based design duo Material Lust have dipped into textiles for in an inaugural collaboration with fabric artisans To Dødsfall. The abstract woven pieces can be used as rugs, wall hangings or upholstery and are made from locally sourced wool, leather, rope, and alpac on a cotton warp to create robust pieces.
The natural collection titled 'Derma' has been fundamentally inspired by skin growths shown through the many flaws in the rutted stitching and pattern-work sculptured into the materials. The technique has been carefully achieved through hand weaving to produce a truly contemporary style which is seen across Material Lust’s body of work.
Writer: Sujata Burman
Caring design
30 October
Inspired by the groundbreaking architecture of the Maggie’s Cancer Care centres, Scottish scarf maker Begg & Co has just launched a lovely limited edition scarf collection for the charity.
Four limited edition designs are now available, each using different elements of the iconic Maggie's buildings. The first scarf features a black 'labyrinth' design like that in the gardens at Maggie's Dundee; the second features yellow and white and blue and white oval patterns in a design drawn from a skylight at the Snohetta-designed Aberdeen centre. The third and fourth scarves reflect the clean lines and colours dominant in the architecture across all Maggie's Centres. Commissioned from the likes of Zaha Hadid, Thomas Heatherwick and Wilkinson Eyre, the buildings each prove in a different way how environment can affect wellbeing. Warm and supportive whilst also being stimulating and intriguing… much like a Scottish cashmere scarf.
Writer: Henrietta Thompson
Michelle Grabner at Rocket
29 October
Michelle Grabner’s sixth solo exhibition at East London’s Rocket gallery introduces a brand new selection of work produced during the artist’s time in residence at Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture, Maine in summer 2015.
The show will display the work alongside a recreation of her first exhibition at Rocket in 1998: six enamel on wood paintings hanging in a living room installation next to a television screening the 1990s lifestyle show Martha Stewart Living.
The artist, typically known for attempting to break down the barriers between critic, curator, teacher and artist, describes her work as ‘painting as a site of translation’, stating that the inherent nature of utilising patterns and geometry, ‘yield a compelling understanding of the limitations of the material world’.
‘Gingham' is on view until 16 January
Pictured back: Gingham (eight images), 2015. Background right: Untitled [sap green/yellow], 2015. Foreground right: Untitled [cadmium red light/green], 2015. Photography: Paul Tucker
Writer: Tom Capon
Mass of Time
29 October
Kacper Hamilton drew upon the Ancient Egyptian ceremony of weighing a heart against a feather when imagining this beautifully refined piece. The London-based designer altered the tradition to create an artwork that conceptualises time as a solid matter.
Mass of Time comprises a sleekly framed aluminium and wood structure holding a set of scales, recalling a mini scientific lab. The piece was created for shoe brand Clarks and war debris removal charity The HALO Trust, for an exhibition that also saw each designer or artist commissioned to re-imagine the evergreen Chelsea boot.
Mass of Time was recently sold at an auction at the V&A alongside a range of works by creatives including Faye Toogood's eponymous studio and Marc Quinn. All profits were donated to The HALO Trust.
Writer: Sujata Burman
Cool runnings
23 October
Traditional root cellars have inspired Dutch brand Weltevree’s new Ground Fridge. Designed by Schoonerbeek and displayed at 2015 Dutch Design Week, the laminated polyester structure is created as a modern solution to refrigeration. The domestic appliance is buried underground, allowing the temperature to remain constant throughout the year, making it the perfect storage for vegetables, wine or cheese.
Writer: Sam Rogers. Photography courtesy of Schoonderbeek
Wave riders
22 October
The 14th Istanbul Biennial – this year entitled ‘Saltwater: A Theory of Thought Forms’ – comes to a close on 1 November; but due to staggering interest, a concurrent exhibition at Istanbul Modern has been extended until 26 November.
Over 400,000 people have seen the Biennial’s nine-week exploration of the physical and spiritual aspects of the various waves – including brain waves, sound waves or shockwaves after an explosion – that occur within the world. This is discussed via drawings, paintings, installations, films and research-based events from a number of artists and scientists, with venues spread across the city.
The Istanbul Modern – one of the 36 participating venues – is also one of the only locations hosting a group exhibition, rather than that of the work of a single artist or specific collective.
Writer: Tom Capon
On top of the world
21 October
Currently on display at Milan's Giorgetti Atelier, Carlo Giorgetti's collection of wooden spinning toys – created by the master cabinetmaker Luciano Molinari – is a beguiling set of toys-cum-art-objects; 'unique pieces', says the Atelier, 'that recall the extraordinary collections typical of Renaissance tradition'.
The spinning tops are rendered in rare woods, requiring great manufacturing skill to avoid any needless waste of these precious materials. (Of particular note are their carefully crafted tips, each created from holywood sourced from the Antilles.)
Writer: Tom Howells
Retail therapy
21 October
German chair-giants Wagner Living combine furniture, fashion, and art in their new pop-up store, in collaboration with online clothing retailer René Lezard and photography gallerists and publishers LUMAS. Located in the centre of Augsburg, Germany, each of the collaborators imbued the store with their unique perspectives: Wagner Living encourages visitors to make themselves comfortable on their refined seating; René Lezard present items from their A/W 2015/2016 collection; and LUMAS have produced affordable art pieces for the space.
Hosted inside an historic 15th century house, and spread over two levels, the organisers hope to inspire visitors – whether through a connection to the displays, or simply to engage in some retail therapy. The shop’s three-week tenure comes to a close on Saturday 24 October, so be quick.
Writer: Tom Capon
Just the ticket
8 October
Not every ski resort can boast having artist-designed ski lift tickets each season, but Aspen (being Aspen) has done just that for the last decade. As part of the resort's 'Art in Unexpected Places' programme – a joint effort between the Aspen Art Museum and Aspen Skiing Company – the humble lift ticket has, since 2005, been re-designed by some of the art world's most recognisable names, including David Shrigley, Jim Hodges and Karen Kilimnik.
Takashi Murakami takes the honours this year with four colourful creations that will bring his brand of joyful psychedelia to the slopes all winter long.
Writer: Pei-Ru Keh