For his first individual exhibition, Adrien De Melo presents a structural vision of the object at Galerie BSL, a skeletal framework that he covers with mineral or vegetal skin. This young designer from the world of artistic production explores an intimate point of tension between true and false, real nature and recreated nature, on the one hand reminiscent of a forest landscape, on the other a metaphor of a rocky surface. Through 7 limited edition objects he reveals the map of an imaginary land where onyx, ceramic and wood form an elegant display of irreverent technical recompositions. 

SLICED/TABLE

The SLICED table is a formal and fictional investigation dedicated to the reconstruction of the vertical section of a tree trunk from 9 species of wood, together forming a veined, dynamic and contrasting patchwork. SLICED, a 250 cm long offset representation of a forest landscape, denotes and values what is in fact disappearing today in the process of industrialization of wood: the form, the texture and the very character of the species.

SLICED, 2011

Table / Table

Aluminium brossé, 9 essences de bois : wengé, chêne, acajou d’Afrique, noyer d’Amérique, frêne foncé, frêne clair, hêtre étuvé, merisier d’Amérique, érable canadien.

/ Brushed aluminium, 9 wood species: wenge; oak; African mahogany; American walnut; dark ash; light ash; steamed beech; American cherry; Canadian maple.

H/77 x L/250 x P/W 110 cm

Pièces signées et numérotées / Signed and numbered pieces

Edition galerie BSL de 8 + 1 prototype / Galerie BSL edition of 8 + 1 prototype

The table top is made from honeycomb composite and 9 wood species covering the sides: wenge; oak; African mahogany; American walnut; dark ash; light ash; steamed beech; American cherry; Canadian maple. Each of the 4 bases is manually turned from a single block of brushed aluminium to achieve a conical form that is as refined as possible, modelled on an abstract pedestal intended to highlight the cabinetmaking skills used for the table top.

MY MOUNTAIN/ARMCHAIR

MY MOUNTAIN is the mountain that we will all have to climb one day. Geometrically, the shape is based upon Mont-Blanc’s topographical relief, 4 of its crests thus forming the base. The outline interprets the longitudinal section of a relief or a rocky surface, to which the user is metaphorically invited to take advantage of the landscape. The seat explores the style of princely seats reminiscent of classics such as Ron Arad’s ‘Little Albert’.

MY MOUNTAIN, 2011

Fauteuil / Seat

Bois – couleur au choix / Wood – color on choice

H/77 x L/60 x P/W 60 cm

Pièces signées et numérotées / Signed and numbered pieces

Edition galerie BSL de 8 + 1 prototype / Galerie BSL edition of 8 + 1 prototype

STRIPES/STOOL, BENCH, COFFEE TABLE

The STRIPES collection (stool, bench and coffee table) is the formal synthesis of this exhibition, resuming the formal approach of the SLICED table with a piece of wood built from several species, and exploring the

The STRIPES base unit is a dense and visually asymmetrical ‘tree-object(s),’ presenting 30 layers of solid wood from 3 species with as many rings evoking lifecycles, genealogy, or the ordeals experienced. The upward and tapering allure evokes the skill of a potter, as if the object had been turned in one piece, the body fusing soaring vertically upwards.

STRIPES, 2011

Tabouret / Stool

Merisier d’Amérique, wengé, noyer d’Amérique et/ou frêne clair / American cherry, wenge, American walnut and/or light ash.

H/45 x L/37 x P/W 37 cm

Pièces signées et numérotées / Signed and numbered pieces

Edition galerie BSL de 10 + 1 prototype / Galerie BSL edition of 10 + 1 prototype

idea of sedimentation and historical stratification of the geological MY MOUNTAIN armchair.

Banc / Bench

Merisier d’Amérique, wengé et frêne clair / American cherry, wenge and light ash.

H/45 x L/155 x P/W 32-42 cm

Pièces signées et numérotées / Signed and numbered pieces

Edition galerie BSL de 8 + 1 prototype / Galerie BSL edition of 8 + 1 prototype

Table basse / Coffee table

Merisier d’Amérique, wengé et noyer d’Amérique, onyx blanc / American cherry, wenge and American walnut, white onyx.

H/48 x L/60 x P/W 51 cm

Pièces signées et numérotées / Signed and numbered pieces

Edition galerie BSL de 8 + 1 prototype / Galerie BSL edition of 8 + 1 prototype

LILI/FLOOR LAMP

175 cm high, weighing 39 kg, LILI is a floor lamp which displays the apparent lightness of a white onyx stone, raised, uplifted by a base uniting 8 brushed stainless steel trombone shapes. Its slender silhouette, topped by a levitating quadrilateral, evokes the graphic design in suspension of New York water towers. Fossilised nerves, veins and fluids appear and light up within this interior lamp where the almost translucent rock becomes light.

LILI, 2011

Lampe de sol / Floor lamp

Onyx blanc, inox brossé / White onyx, brushed inox.

H/175 x L/50 x P/50 cm

Pièces signées et numérotées / Signed and numbered pieces

Edition galerie BSL de 8 + 1 prototype / Galerie BSL edition of 8 + 1 prototype

POINT BREAK/VASE

The glazed earthenware POINT BREAK vase available in 3 colours – optical white, stormy blue, ink-black – represents a moment of tension, fusion and fission. With a play on balance and imbalance, it suggests the implosive as well as explosive meeting of two forces, phenomena or opposing personalities. Two natures in one single object which perhaps embodies, in its mineral tension, the inner paradoxical, as well as permanent fight between Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde…

POINT BREAK, 2011

Vase / Vase

Céramique / Ceramic

Blanc optique, bleu orage ou noir d’encre / optical white, stormy blue, ink-black.

H/37 x L/15 x P/15 cm

Pièces signées et numérotées / Signed and numbered pieces

Edition galerie BSL de 20 + 1 prototype / Galerie BSL edition of 20 + 1 prototype

PHOTO COPYRIGHT : ULYSSE FRÉCHELIN

Adrien De Melo

Solo Show 9th September to 12th November 2011

Galerie BSL 

23 rue Charlot 75003 Paris

+ 33 1 44 78 94 14

www.galeriebsl.com 

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Didier Faustino presented “Broken white cube” during the first Paris Design Week earlier this month. Elaborated as a movable piece, the dimensions of the volume are matching with the shipping pallet where it is set on. The idea of transportation is increased by hand suction cups fixed on the upper block suggesting to open or close the white cube. The spectator is urged to look deeper and go beyond the surface appearance of things. Realized with a perfect slicing the broken parts seem to naturally separate themselves in a pure geometry. The rupture is made visible, touchable, and even corporeal. The viewer can approach the core of the hard matter and become a sensitive actor. Broken white cube reveals a sort of hidden ergonomic function. The opening creates a new territory for the body. Human could insert himself into the breach and fill the void. A desire to complete the missing half. An injection of humanity and sense into the matter.

white lacquered wood, hand suction cups – 2007.

120 x 100 x 117 cm

Gino Sarfatti “Moon”

If there is a domain in which Italian design shines – likewise for Scandinavians – it is light. Only the birthplace of Renaissance could renew and enhance this accessory, indispensable to man for the pursuit of activities whatever the time, with such creative freedom in the post-war years. From this creative profusion, Galerie BSL unveils its pantheon of 1950s to 1980s lighting, a vintage selection rigorously guided by quality and rarity. This new gallery – which opened only a year ago but which has already exhibited at the prestigious Pavillon des Arts et du Design and will do so at Design Miami/Basel – has chosen to only show twenty handpicked pieces. A welcome commitment to help collectors, at a time when everything is ‘design,’ in a market where the best and worst are displayed side by side.

Gae Aulenti “Rimorchiadore”

Can be found: duly referenced, often award-winning, always admired lighting icons. Pieces which are above all a metamorphosis of an everyday object into a contemporary sculpture, amazing in their strength and unique character.

For many specialists, Gino Sarfatti, creator of hundreds of models, is the 20^th century’s greatest lighting designer. “I have never been interested in form,”* he confesses, defining himself as an artisan. Everything starts with the bulb for this great chrome stand enthusiast who invented a lamp kit to change as you wish into nine different types of lighting, wall light, reflector, etc.


Gino Sarfatti “N°1063″

Credit where credit is due, Gino Sarfatti occupies a core place in this exhibition. The most spectacular piece and the most important: the large N°2068 ceiling light designed in 1952. With its thirty lights, it conjures up a modern castle, a church candelabra or the crown of candles worn by young girls in the procession during the Festival of Light in Nordic countries. Everything is sober, meticulous, but also ethereal with Sarfatti, who chooses to leave the wire apparent “because you have to be able to look at the reason for the lamp.”* Amongst others is the extremely rare wall light N°194 (1950) in brass and lacquered metal, the audacious lamp N°1063 which totally changed the idea of domestic lighting (Compasso d’Oro in 1954, prestigious Italian design award), the table lamp N°604 called Moon (1969), with a scattering of micro-bulbs like lunar craters.

Ettore Sottsass “Asteroid”

For at the era of the conquest of space, tomorrow’s light comes from outer space, following the example of the Asteroide (1968) table lamp, a very ‘pop’ creation by Ettore Sottsass, leader of the Memphis neo- baroque movement. Made of perspex, it reflects peninsula designers’ taste for new materials adaptable to the craziest shapes. The Golden Gate by Nanda Vigo features amongst the exhibition’s centrepieces, extensive refined architecture spanning two metres which won its designer, influenced by the silhouette of the eponymous bridge, the New York Prize for Industrial Design in 1971, or Rimorchiatore by Gae Aulenti (1969), an example of which appears in the Centre Pompidou collection. Also featuring are creations by the Italians Angelo Lelli – the Calder of lighting -, Studio A.R.D.I.T.I., Matteo Thun and Joe Colombo (honoured by a retrospective at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2007).

Michel Buffet floor lamp

Without forgetting, for comparison, works by Français Michel Buffet in the vein of Serge Mouille and the German master Ingo Maurer. Finally to complete this vintage selection the Escargot (snail) lamp, created by Le Corbusier in 1954 for the Cité Radieuse in Marseille, produced for the first time in 2011 by Cassina with a limited edition of 150 numbered pieces. In short, a historical and didactic journey displaying all that today’s creators owe these exemplary light designs.

Text: Alexandre Crochet, journalist, art historian.

* ‘Gino Sarfatti,’ Galerie Christine Diegoni, Frédéric Leibovitz Editeur, 2008.

Italian Lights
Galerie BSL
Preview Thursday 19th May 2011
Press presentation from 11am
Cocktail from 6pm

www.galeriebsl.com

eliumstudio has designed the first connected blood pressure monitor for the new French company Withings which transforms your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch into a blood pressure tracker. A small revolution in the design world since the intelligence of physical objects is from now on handed over to a third device, at the same time reducing its weight, functions and constraints. The blood pressure monitor armband remains inert until it comes to life and functions when simply connected to your iPhone or iPad. As with Pinocchio, with the magic of digital, man has brought matter to life once again. Thereby the Withings blood pressure monitor records the measurements, calculates the averages, traces the graph of your blood pressure and makes it easy to share results with your doctor.

The embedded technical components have been simplified allowing eliumstudio an innovative, pared down and perfectly immaculate design in line with the continual search for lightness by this studio decisively digitally programmed ahead of its time. White and green, the colour codes embody health with a digital look and are immediately reassuring. Cased in soft leather, the armband inflates at the touch of a button on the telephone. Place it around your arm and plug it in. According to your doctor’s advice, take a couple of measurements in automatic mode. At the end of the measurement, your systolic and diastolic blood pressure and your pulse are displayed and automatically recorded without you having to worry.

Whether on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or web browser, your readings are accessible and your data recorded securely so that you can track your tension anywhere, anytime. It is important to know at what time of the day the readings are taken. The Withings application allows readings from the morning to be separated from the evening readings, allowing you to compare what needs to be compared. It is recommended that you take your blood pressure readings at home, in a calm environment. We have made it easy to share your results with your doctor: with the push of one button, you can send your results by email. Retail price 129 Euros.

The Withings blood pressure monitor and the Withings Smart baby monitor also by eliumstudio will be presented as part of the “Objet (s) du numérique, design d’un nouveau monde industriel” (Digital Objects, New Industrial World Design) exhibition at the Lieu du Design from 18th May 2011 to 23rd July 2011, 74 rue du Fbg St Antoine 75011 Paris

www.eliumstudio.com

www.withings.com

Degree table with Kristalia
A small occasional table which can also be used as a stool, Degree’s structure is made of cork, topped with a small roto-moulded plastic top, a reference to the small traditional mortar board worn by Anglo Saxon university students on graduation.
Dimensions H 40 x W 42 cm

Stil chair and high stool with Lapalma
The Stil chair has been embellished this year with wood and new colours. Distinguishable, multi-functional (for the home and office), Stil is a real success and the high stool version proposed this year confirms this!

In the collection designed especially for Galerie Gosserez, Piergil Fourquié explores the concept of balance, applied to the design of everyday objects: static balance; dynamic balance; the balance of systems, eco-systems; the balance of bodies and to pursue the metaphor, the balance of minds, to achieve serenity. A design which blends technical choices (materials, overhang) with a refined finish.

Through about ten objects, all original, Piergil demonstrates:

-Cantilever balance through the ‘Big Boss’ desk

-Dynamic balance with the ‘Partition’ shelf which is built and dismantled

-Group balance, through the infinite number of ‘Totems’ compositions

-Balance of the suspended membrane in the ‘Bulles’ (Bubbles) collection

-Balance of the aquatic environment, symbolised by the ‘Vanda’ aquarium

Objects, from which an evidence, profound peace is emitted, to border an essential balance, ours, which exists in our life and our domestic environment. ‘Balance: from the Latin aequilibrium, from aequus ‘equal’ and libra ‘balance, weight.’ A concept which describes situations where the ‘forces’ present – the parts in the case of a metaphor – are equal, or such that none surpasses the others.’

‘Cantilever: an installation is known as cantilever when an element is supported by a part which is above space; that is without immediate support below the ‘cantilever’ element. A cantilever installation carries the risk of imbalance or of rupture in the event of overloading as it depends on the solidity of the supports.’

The ‘Big Boss’ Desk

Drawing inspiration from architectural constructions using the cantilever principal, the lacquered metal skirt gives a solid volume on which the entire desk depends. This support contrasts with the light oak suspended top which juts out over an empty space.

The choice of material is a metaphor for a ‘sports coupe’ car: the metallic exterior reflects the immediate environment and hides the user’s legs. The refined topstitched leather interior creates a warm protective cocoon favourable to work. The elegance of the lines hides all that is to be hidden: computer cables; electric wires; drawer. Materials: oak; topstitched leather and metal.

Edition Galerie Gosserez: 12 models + 1 prototype

‘Partition’ shelf

This shelf looks like a musical score; the lacquered metal crosspieces punctuate and give rhythm to the entire piece of furniture, graphically and sculpturally. The way to fix it provides great flexibility and gives each user the possibility of forming their own score depending on the interior dimensions and the objects that are to be put on it.

The light oak shelves are superimposed one above the other and give the impression of levitating, an effect accentuated by the contrast of the delicate and multiple bars. Materials: oak and metal

Edition Galerie Gosserez, each piece is unique, custom-made

‘Totem’ hall elements

Totem is a series of six objects that are usually found in the hall: a mirror; a set of occasional tables; a flower pot holder and a coat stand. This set welcomes visitors to a simple and refined environment, punctuated by the solid cast concrete pedestals which support very ethereal fine structures.

The concrete base is the weight which holds each of the totems in equilibrium at different heights. The user is free to stage their own decor. Materials: oak and concrete.

Edition Galerie Gosserez: 12 models + 1 prototype

Les Bulles: (Bubbles)

Suspended glass balls weighted with marble ballast, this individual case will form a precious and transparent cocoon around personal objects entrusted to it. It can also be changed rapidly into an original and very elegant vase.

The ‘Les Bulles’ collection drew inspiration from laboratory glassware, test-tubes, bottles, flasks, phials to decant, beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks, while misappropriating their meaning and use.

 ‘Les Bulles’ also explore the themes of landscape and micro-architecture, around the notions of balance, stability and space. Combining simple volumes, they stage fascinating microcosms which play on the contrasts between glass and stone. Materials: blown glass and Carrara marble.

Edition Galerie Gosserez: 15 models + 1 prototype

Photos credit Maxime Champion

 www.galeriegosserez.com

Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance presented 3 new pieces last week in Milan for Ceccotti Collezioni. A desk and two table as a balance between elegance and nature.

 Omaggio desk / Ceccotti Collezioni

Omaggio displays reverence to Carlo Molino, a master of Italian creation able to decompartmentalize disciplines and genres. Following in his footsteps, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance has a traditional, functional and emotional approach to design, where the art of doing takes precedence, where material and form are natural responses to our fundamental needs.

Ceccotti Collezioni embodies this love for beautiful materials capable of producing wonderful creations that we wish to surround us; therefore the ideal manufacturer to pay tribute to Carlo Molino and his famous Cavour desk.

Deriva Table / Ceccotti Collezioni

The designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance has created a system of feet for the Deriva table which for him is extremely reminiscent of a blend of iodine and wet wood, “The driftwood is the central element of an old Dufour windsurf on which I learnt to navigate in the Bay of Morlaix. It is closely linked with the images of the bodies of old rigging encountered at the Douarnenez port building yards and further afield during my travels.”

The Deriva design draws from these souvenirs and the Ceccotti Collezioni traditional and technical know-how, the feet have been produced with a 5 axis laser cutting machine, then assembled and completed entirely by hand.

Niwa Table / Ceccotti Collezioni

Tsuboniwa gardens are the central point of traditional Japanese houses. They comprise a delicate microcosm, a reinterpretation of the surrounding landscape in the heart of a house. A subtle and fragile link between man and nature, tsuboniwa is a part of the exterior, a small patio, the space necessary to complete our domestic universe by reflecting a total image of the world surrounding it. The Niwa table is inspired by this gesture. The clean edges of the quadrilateral structure house a wooden pebble, an organic and fluid contrast, which seems to escape man’s control, a pebble polished by time and surrounding nature…

Belgium design company Tamawa will launch Ray pendant light by Sylvain Willenz next week in Milan. Ray investigates the common use and typology of Tubular lighting (TL), a light source which is usually found in crude and low-tech designs for non-domestic situations. Ray makes use of Tamawa’s specialized production techniques, expertise and understanding of Bakelite balls, consequently creating a domestic lighting fixture with a refined technical solution, an original and colourful alternative to common TL connectors.

The pendant light is available in 1 or 3 hanging modules, in 7 colours or in full black and uses dimmable TLs.

Tamawa

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