Fauna
Ever since he launched the Fade bathroom collection in Milan, Stockholm-based John Astbury has been a bit of a favourite of ours. It seems we are not the only ones with an eye for this young new designer, as he has now teamed up with none other than Svenskt Tenn, for whom he has created the striking four-dimensional mirror Fauna.
Astbury ascribes his inspiration to the “Fauna of Mirrors” myth, where there is a world of creatures behind every mirror. Considering he has studied both anthropology and sociology, we can’t help but wonder: is he seeing something in the dark-framed mirror we aren’t seeing?
www.svenskttenn.se
Interlaced
Although we try to focus on Scandinavian design, and pieces deriving from Stockholm in particular, once in a while we’ll choose to include something foreign that is so strong that we just can’t neglect it.
The Interlaced screen and lamp by Taiwan-based ViiChendesign is one such a piece. With its strong lines and wire mesh placed in front of a light bulb it evokes the blurred image of the moon as seen through the wooden window of a traditional Chinese house. Isn’t that just the most poetic and ingenious, yet completely unexpected solution for quite a while? What is also interesting is that, despite emanating from Asia, it has a clear Scandinavian aesthetic to it.
www.viichendesign.com
Ylva Skarp
Another designer to catch our eye (at Formex earlier this year) is Ylva Skarp. Her work is smack bang on target when it comes to the whole black and white monochrome trend that has swept Sweden off its feet, but still manages to add another dimension to it. After having worked predominantly with posters and print work, her calligraphy-inspired scribbles and icons can now be found on a whole range of other household goods. Skarp herself says she is often drawn to imperfection and unpredictability, as perfection isn’t something she is very fond of. Despite the so-called “faulty” design, we do feel that they would be perfection on the dining table.
www.ylvaskarp.se
Words: Micha van Dinther & Magnus Wittbjer
