Floor Space

On the eve of design’s most anticipated fairs of the year you can guarantee an art collaboration release is not too far behind. The rise of the artist collaboration within the worlds of utility and practicality, at least for the most part, has proved to be a successful formula providing consumers a veneer of the conceptual onto objets of the everyday.

The Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano launches this week and will showcase the best in furniture design and home styling from both Italy and around the world. Gothenburg-based Henzel Studio is one such exhibitor who will be presenting an exclusive collection of art rug editions in collaboration with leading contemporary artists. The Swedish luxury label has worked with twelve international artists on its ‘Volume #1’ collection. Assume Vivid Astro Focus, Marilyn Minter, Richard Prince and Juergen Teller are a few of the names who have defied conventional right-angle styles for more elaborate and curious compositions that will detract eyes from the wall firmly to the floor. 

Untitled, 2012 - Anselm Reyle

The abstract aesthetic of Anselm Reyle is a fine example of how successful an artwork can be translated through alternate media, particularly within the realm of interior design. Reyle’s Untitled, 2012 contribution to the collection is a replica of the artist’s gathered foil style imagery inspired by his series of paintings, which has been directly reworked in both design and structure onto a free-from monochrome rug, hand knotted in Himalayan and New Zealand wool and silk. The result is an almost three-dimensional effect of luminous folds in the pile that makes for a contemporary decorative statement. 

The Henzel Studio Collaborations series will debut in Milan at Superstudio Più before an official launch at Barneys New York Madison Avenue flagship during Frieze New York in May later this year. For more information about all the artists involved in the ‘Volume #1’ collection visit Henzel Studio.

Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano opens tomorrow and runs through to 13th April 2014 - click here for full details of exhibitors and events throughout the week.

Image courtesy of Henzel Studio

Tray Chic

With men’s fashion flexing its A-game in recent seasons it was only a matter of time before the inevitable transition from dandy menswear to equally dandy homewares took to the playing field. It’s all well and good looking fly from head to toe but if you don’t know your brogues from your Bauhaus your sprezz-ometer will be found wanting.

Luxury preppy label GANT delves into its Scandi archives to introduce accessories for the home under its younger line GANT Rugger with a collection of serving trays. Yes, trays. Admittedly the words ‘rugger’ and ‘trays’ don’t initially slide off the tongue naturally, however the humble serving tray is one of the most popular Swedish exports and is a staple in the Swede’s design-conscious psyche for both beauty and functionality. Tapping into the leading trend for designerware GANT Rugger has released three individual styles that are more at home with a round of snaps amongst friends rather than half-time orange slices for the team. 

Each tray is handmade from a single sheet of Scandinavian birch wood and features Swedish-inspired imagery that wouldn’t look out of place on a cotton square. The indigo-inspired 'Rope Tray' (above) is a handsome example of bridging runway looks with interior design ready for Springtime house parties. Head over to GANT Rugger to check out the new collection and serve up some chic in your man cave. 

For updates on design and lifestyle from the 

#highlife to the #lowlife follow @JMVELARDI

Images courtesy of GANT

KONSTCENTRALEN

If you are in Stockholm, Sweden this weekend head to the creative suburb of Huddinge for an evening of performance and video art. Curated by my good friend and fellow Slade alumnus, Anita Wernström, KONSTCENTRALEN will host installations and video projections throughout the weekend as well as live performances tomorrow evening. 

I have the pleasure of contributing my animation Knocker (2010) with works by international artists from Brazil, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and the USA.

Looking Back - Anita Wernström 

Visit konstcentralen.wordpress.com for visitor information and details on events.

KONSTCENTRALEN opens 25 th May 2013 from 5pm – 10pm and on 26 th May from 4pm – 8pm at Edsvägen 3, 141 47, Huddinge Sweden

Ha en bra helg!