CZECH SELECTION AT MAISON ET OBJET
MAISON & OBJET - Paris - date: 23 - 27 JAN 2015
ORGANISATION: THE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
COOPERATION: MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS IN PRAGUE
Design, in the words of the American designer Paul Rand, “is everywhere around us, imprinted into our conscious and subconscious minds, but most strongly at home”. The international exhibition, Maison et Objet, contributes to confronting and refining opinions about our concept of home. The huge public interest in this event, and indeed in all events related to contemporary design, proves the importance of the role that design plays in the life of people today and their relationship to the spaces they live in.
The active attitude of the public to the concept of an occupied space is not, however, an accidental phenomenon; it is a logical consequence of turbulent attitudes to the concept of the home in the last century. This entire dynamic development was initiated by the reforming Art Nouveau style, which filled interiors – with a vitality derived from an observance of nature. At that time, the harmony of decorative and symbolist elements and colour tones were intended to evoke the impression left by a piece of music, symphony or mood. On the other hand, the early avant-garde perceived the home as a machine for living. The interior, furnished efficiently and economically, was viewed as a springboard for outdoor activities. However, as early as the 1930s, the architects and designers who had accommodated human spatial and emotional needs started to soften these functional, almost military and austere interiors. A repeated return to the inspiration brought about by nature and its organic forms resulted in the concept of organically comfortable, cosy interiors - refined to perfection by Scandinavian countries through the harmony of natural materials and colours. Philosophical trends of the second half of the 20th century opened up questions about the true essence of the home. The exhibition L´Objet at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1952 played an important role in this development. The exhibition proposed that the home exceeds aesthetic or style categories, and, what is more, defies definition. Any household item – however insignificant and non-aesthetic - could be a personal, irreplaceable curio. In the sixties and seventies the attention of mainly Italian radical designers focused on contemplations about the influence of the cosmic programme and new technologies related to modern dwelling. In their futuristic projects, the home became the place where people fulfil their personal desires, where experiencing ritual daily routine tasks can liberate people from the feeling of existential estrangement. Post-modernism only strengthened the emphasis on the presence of individual emotions, dreams and narratives in the residential interior. In a certain sense, we are still its heirs, since we perceive design and the residential space through personal experience.
The exhibition collection, Czech Selection, not only offers an assortment of goods and objects, but also reflects the environment of the residential space of the 21st century. Through objects, it offers all kinds of approaches and attitudes to the residential space and provides a forum for activity, concentration, relaxation, inspiration and personal intimacy.
Of course, Czech industry has strong historical links of its own. One hundred and fifty years ago, Thonet, manufacturer of bentwood furniture, caused a revolution by transforming the stultifying heavy-style interior. Its simple, light, flexible, seriesproduced and affordable interior elements helped to aerate and lighten these spaces, and both Adolf Loos and Le Corbusier used them in their interiors. Similarly, Thonet’s next incarnation as a company, TON a. s., well-established on the world market as a manufacturer of seating furniture, in recent times has concerned itself with the entire modern dwelling and visual context. Proof of this holistic approach is seen in the foundation of Tonlab, an open residential studio for young talented designers. The first residents from Mutanta studio (Daniel Gonzáles and Tomáš Varga), won an award for their interactive presentation on behalf of TON at the international DMY design festival in Berlin. The newly-opened TON showroom in Prague-Holešovice also represents bespoke production within the context of contemporary Czech design. After all, the extended TON portfolio not only offers furniture, but also other remarkable interior objects, such as Olgoj Chorchoj’s bowl, a combination of wood and glass. TON’s multifaceted approach is no accident either. TON cooperates extensively and over the long term with an international pool of young designers - a new generation who, thanks to new technologies, are successfully showcasing their creative gifts. For example, this year the Merano furniture set, designed by the young designer Alex Gufler was nominated for the German Design Award 2014.
A new company QC FLOORS s.r.o., whose work is based on perfect craftsmanship of top quality wood, is responding to the sensual possibilities of the interior space. The table, which the company presents here as their newest work, acts as an archetypal community hub: people around the table are connected not only by their common activity, but also by the beauty of solid wood. For many years, the world of feminine interior space, along with its essential qualities, has been the sole preserve of film and stage design. This void in the market has over the last five years been progressively filled by objects made by the architect HELENA DAŘBUJÁNOVÁ. Their feminine, even girlish character is determined by details in décor, colour, material and a poetic subtext that emphasises sentiment, playfulness and fantasy, without sacrificing functionality.
When we think of discussions about interior transformations, they are inseparably associated with the characteristics of lighting, which is a substantial factor in determining how people feel in any residential space. A lighting unit plays a double role: its function is to “light the air” according to the needs of the resident and, at the same time, importantly, it shapes the entire residential interior thanks to its aesthetic function. ATEH s.r.o. follows the functionalist construction tradition of lights and lamps. They focus primarily on simple, tasteful and inconspicuous types of light fixture made of plastic, which effectively illuminate the working environment. In cooperation with internal and external designers, Ateh also develops atypical lights which have been a hit on the world scene as seen in their lighting programme of aesthetic features (Flower) and their similarly inspired Zeppelin Construction (Zeppelin), which is also presented here. Other Czech companies also combine lights with glass, constantly searching for new designs, as is the case with the young company CZEVITRUM s. r. o.
To do things differently and to surprise with a simple idea, to offer unexpected methods of functionality and usage – that is the attraction offered by BOA DESIGN studio which has earned its designers Michaela Vrátníková and Petr Mikoško several domestic and international awards. Boa design creates various interior segments – from lighting and furniture to glass tableware, their portfolio even includes fashion accessories. Interior objects in limited collections are manufactured as a series, using the potential of pure geometric forms to allow ideas to come to the fore.
In the Czech Republic the use of glass in interior spaces has enjoyed a long tradition. Tableware glass, cut crystal especially, is not much used in Czech households except for special dining. Glittering cut glass can add that something extra special to living rooms. However, at the beginning of the millennium, Czech cut crystal started to disappear from households as a result of the economic crisis, which saw new generations fail to identify themselves with the cut-glass tradition. That is, not until BOMMA revived the future of Czech cut crystal. This company, originally specialising in the development of automatic cutting machines, has also become, over the last ten years, a manufacturer of household cut crystal. Its management actively and extensively develops partnership with designers from all over the world, while also providing space for experimenting with other materials, such as porcelain, wood and metal. Their collection of glass drinking sets is rich and diverse. It contains original creations from Young designers, as well as sophisticated products from more experienced designers. BOMMA has found a functional way of re-introducing cut crystal into the 21st century interior, and thanks to this commendable innovation, has won many important domestic and international awards. The vision and enthusiasm that characterise BOMMA are also typical qualities of VERREUM, a company that has, in just five years, succeeded in restoring the forgotten tradition of silvered-glass production, first patented in the 19th century. Thanks to its collaboration with the international superstar designer scene, represented by, for example, Karim Rashid, Arik Levy and other big names, Verreum has succeeded in innovating silvered glass for the 21st century interior. It is a pleasure to observe how each designer works in a radically different manner to the next, achieving the astounding and mysterious effect of mirroring, which silvered glass adds to any interior. In Verreum’s broad portfolio – from vases and lamps to drinking glass sets - we see the approach that showcases the metallic, machinist shine, the glimmering fragility of its material or its playful and ironic pop-art colour scheme.
Irony and humour characterise these unique interior objects made by glass makers who are graduates of the oldest professional glass school in Bohemia - in Nový Bor. Rostislav Materka, who collaborates with ACDT MARIENBERG s.r.o, perfected his craftsmanship through internships abroad. Top quality craftsmanship is also a typical feature of the blown and cut glass objects of Jan Falta, who designs for his own JAN FALTA design studio.
In the 21st century, more and more attention and care is now being devoted to the urban environment. Public space is no longer perceived as space outside the home. In big cities there is a growing pressure from the public to ensure that citizens are given the chance to actively Engage with the qualities and amenities offered by their urban spaces. There is also a growing pressure for the implementation of alternative methods of transportation, xpansion of pedestrian zones, mini-parks and options for areas of relaxation in hectic work-spaces. The globally established company, MMCITÉ 1 a.s., a specialist in urban assets, contributes a great amount to making these urban spaces more comfortable and liveable. This productive company, with a 20-year long tradition, each year launches up to ten new projects from its constantly growing portfolio, including successfully completed projects from all over the world, responding to different climatic conditions by providing resistance in both material and Construction for its outdoor furniture. The designers and founders of the company, David Karásek and Radek Hegemon, together with Roman Vrtiška, have managed to create a distinctive and modern collection of street furniture, which empathetically fits into the parks and built-up areas of 21st century urban landscapes, fulfilling ergonomic requirements and enriching the urban environment through its materiál and aesthetic qualities.
Czech Selection, a collection of Czech companies, will participate for the sixth time in the Maison et Objet exhibition at the prestigious pavilion - Design now! Design a vivre. The installation, prepared by Olgoj Chorchoj, one of the leading Czech designers, helps to showcase the qualities of the exhibited work, featuring life-objects that make up the here-and-now.
Iva Knobloch
Curator of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
