04/10/2021 - MELANCHOLIC HARMONY
CONTEMPORARY DESIGN ICONS INTO A DECADENT SETTING
In the world of design, objects that can combine engineering, simplicity and creativity definitely win. That kind of objects have the power to transform a room only with their presence, to give a touch of personality or even to turn a setting upside down. They blend originality and innovation, they are timeless, evergreens. Better knowns as icons.
A design icon can fit in time. It seize the present needs of the market, but it anticipates tastes and needs of the future. Furthermore, iconic objects give life to connections with those who use them: sometimes emotional ones, which arise when these objects become true testimonials of a moment, an era, a place or a community.
Among the objects that reflect these characteristics we find the Ionik Stool by Oeuffice, the collaboration between Canadian designers Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte and Jakub Zak.
Featuring some of the same natural materials used by ancient Romans to build classical monumental structures, Ionik Stool is reminiscent of antique stone capitals. In fact, this object uses a formal vocabulary from that of the classical architectural orders, playing with the contrast between an abstract geometric modernism and the elaborate carvings of the columns that inspired it. Of course, this stool doesn’t support a building but can be used as seating or a side table.
Designed by the Italian-French designer Joris Poggioli, the Rose Sofa is a limited edition corduroy piece of impressive size. It’s a composition of four enormous upholstered tubes, which monolithic presence is enlivened by the texture of the ribbed fabric. With a shape that is both atypical and design, this concept gives life to a unique silhouette.
The Etcetera chaise longue became a design icon shortly after it was launched by Jan Ekselius in 1970 and has maintained its status ever since. It has become a symbol of the expression of 1970s design and of what you can do with naturally elastic materials such as folded steel and jute fabric.The unmistakable wavy silhouette was an instant hit for its creative and fluid design combined with its incredible comfort that has stood the test of time.
As we like to play with contrast, but also in order to prove that icons are truly timeless, we decided to set these modern furnishing accessories in Athens, in the popular Zappeion. It’s a neoclassical building with a semicircle plan designed by the Danish architect Theophil Hansen, which incorporates formal apparatuses and ideals of classical Greek architecture. But we didn’t settle for its real appearance: we have peeled off the walls and ruined the frescoes, carving the sign of a very long time and creating a strong atmosphere of decadence. Between the curtains waived by a light summer breeze, these design icons seem to rest before welcoming sleepy guests at the end of a party, enjoying the last glass of the soirée. This decadent environment merges with contemporary design icons creating a melancholic harmony which stimulates a never-ending dolce far niente.
“Rose Sofa” by Joris Poggioli
“Etcetera Chair” by Jan Ekselius
“Ionik stool” Kapital collection by Oeuffice