OBJET PRÉFÉRÈ |
Photography: GM |
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INTRO "An unprecedented initiative, the result of research in a class of its
own, this fabulous collection represents a perfect fusion of brilliant
design and superb execution. An emblematic illustration of collective Françoise Foulon, director of Grand-Hornu Images A knife, train journeys, a brooch, a beer glass and a book collection are just some of the revealing objects that have inspired Objet Préféré, a unique collection of 15 pieces of furniture created following a workshop between young Fabrica designers and personnel – craftsmen, technicians, office staff – of the Grand-Hornu Images cultural centre in Belgium. An intense and rewarding week of exchanges, brainstorming, interviews and photographic sessions on the theme "Favourite Objects", which led to the creation of 15 pieces of furniture that represent a perfect fusion between the creative and design talent of young artist-researchers from the Benetton Group's communication research centre, and the expert skills of Grand-Hornu technicians. (text by Fabrica) < LES BOTTINES POUR ENFANTS & LE CRANE Les Bottines pour enfants & le Crâne is a symbolic staircase showing the transition between a pair of baby shoes and a decorative skull belonging to a crypt. The progression of the steps in height and in breadth speak about the growth and definitive stages between birth and death. The first and last steps are representative of the two absent objects, highlighting the significance of what comes between. “Why this link between two extremes?Because that link is life! It’s as simple as that.” |
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Photography: GM |
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LE JARDIN Le Jardin is composed of components for plants of different sizes which together make a kind of easily moveable indoor garden.
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Photography: GM |
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L’ORDINATEUR PORTABLE L’Ordinateur portable is a funneled laptop desk that highlights the relationship between a lady and her computer. It is her window on the world, an object of great importance, giving her an outward view on life. The furniture is an expression of escaping from your life as the metaphor for the idea of a laptop. “It has helped me to make friends, create a family, and meet my partner. My daughter was also born thanks to my computer!”
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Photography: GM |
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LE PARFUM Le Parfum is a 2.5 metre wood suspension alike to an inverted lampshade. The concept is to invite people under the vessel to immerse themselves in the deep darkness and strong fragrance present inside. The experience, heightened by a small stage, is immediately overpowering, drawing the senses to the power and importance of the perfume. “My perfume is not what you might call mild! I like my perfume to envelope me.”
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Photography: GM |
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LE LUSTRE Le Lustre is an installation of four chairs arranged in a circle. A linear wood archway links two of them, presenting a luminous light bulb, which spreads light over the four chairs. It tells the story of someone who wishes for a chandelier, but lacks the ceiling to have one. This set brings relief to the individual without an elaborate ceiling fixing. “I need light, everywhere. A light close to the ceiling creates a more friendly atmosphere, especially when I invite people over for dinner…”
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Photography: GM |
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LE COUTEAU Le Couteau is a dinner table with a long drawer passing through it. The wood grain of the tabletop changes in a way that highlights its significance. The length of the table is shorter than the drawer, meaning something is always offered at either end of the table. The notion of the drawer never closing is a symbol of this transition which is always possible. “The knife for me is first of all an object to pass on, from father to son. To me it’s not a weapon at all, it’s a tool to share bread with family members.”
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Photography: GM |
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LES DIX LIVRES Les Dix livres is a bookshelf designed especially for ten books. The short ladder serves to reach the higher books, reminiscent of a traditional Library ladder.
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Photography: GM |
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L’ALBUM PHOTO “L’Album photo” is a hybrid piece of furniture combining a cupboard, a sports locker and a small gym bench for the storage of a single photo album as well as a collection of books. A wood box hidden inside the cupboard represents the absence of the “photo album”, the favourite object it is speaking about. The side of this box opens to the outside, giving access to the absent album, independent of the bigger space. “I dedicated all my life to football which is my passion. This photo album is the only way for me to remember my daughters when they were children.”
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Photography: GM |
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LA FOURCHETTE La Fourchette is a dining cabinet displaying a collection of twenty ceramic plates. Each plate is pricked by real fork marks, creating unique decorations and ornamentations symbolizing the historical eras, and dinner occasions that the particular fork was part of. “The fork is part of a collection at the Silver Museum in Senneffe Castle. You can imagine the mouths it has fed, and the dishes it has laid upon”
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Photography: GM |
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LE VOYAGE EN TRAIN Le Voyage en train is a cabinet that conveys the allure and pure movement of a Train Journey. The smooth sweeping motion and glass framing is evocative of the most charming way to travel. The honest reliable qualities of the wood and glass structure tell a story about a person finding safety and childlike wonder in the beauty of train travel. “It’s a feeling of pure speed. Last week I took the train and felt like a child.”
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Photography: GM |
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LA BROCHE La Broche is a console table with for spaces for drawers. The only drawer present, contains a jewel box hidden from full view, yet revealed by an inclined mirror.
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Photography: GM |
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LE VERRE A BIERE Le Verre à bière is a work bench highlighting the relationship between a craftsman, his work, and his favorite object – a glass of beer. The engraving of the beer mat suggests the surface as the work of a craftsman, and a place to have a refreshing drink. “I work a lot, and late, so for me, having a glass of beer is a very relaxing moment, I even drink while continuing to work.”
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Photography: GM |
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LA VOLIERE La Volière is a hybrid between a rocking chair and a bird swing, which invites the user to swing along side their pet bird. The chair is representative of the idea of a house, moving in a way that is evocative of a bird swinging in a cage.
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Photography: GM |
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212 / LONG CUPBOARD
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Photography: GM |
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212 / LONG CUPBOARD
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COPYRIGHT © Dean Brown 2011 info@mrdeanbrown.co.uk |