DESIGN:
3 x Best in Show
Words: Micha van Dinther & Magnus Wittbjer
Umami
Approaching Sofia Almqvist’s dining table Umami at the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair, one suddenly realizes that it looks like the pock-marked surface of a a planet in some far-off galaxy, consisting of nothing but concave indentions. The reason for their existence is to accommodate the purposely-developed Umami service, as well as creating a landscape for an interactive dining experience. The Umami table was featured at the Ung Svensk Form expo, giving Almqvist some well-deserved recognition in her quest to stimulate and encourage the return of sit-down meals. The Umami table is made of ash and steel.
Design or Art
The Norwegian-Danish duo of Magnus Pettersen and Lea Hein served up some intriguing sculptures at the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. Leaving functionality behind, they create (somewhat) usable pieces of furniture and objects for the home, focusing on aesthetics rather than functionality and leaving it up to the onlooker or user to decide what type of object he or she is beholding. Their first common collection borders on quirky, but showcases an intriguing mix of juxtaposed materials and finishes that, to a layman, might be dismissed as a DIY project. When scrutinizing choices of colours and assembly, one realizes that a lot of thought has gone into its conception.
Structures
Part of Mia Cullin’s Structures line of objects is her large circular bench whose base is made up of solid beech wood and a beautiful weave of naturally tanned leather. Respecting the environment as well as the value of the time-consuming and costly natural tanning process, the leftover leather pieces from manufacturing the bench are used to make a cool tote bag that features the same pattern as the bench. Mia Cullin took center stage at this year’s Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair by being part of the carefully-curated Twelve zone – a space for established Nordic designers. We are not surprised, as her work is true to her reputation as a creator of poetic and elegant objects.
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