Recently I have been bumping into pictures of seats, entirely composed out of stuffed toy animals. They are made by the Campana brothers. I somehow do not quite get the point behind these seats. It looks kind of silly (and rather uncomfortable) to me. Why would anyone buy this ? And is it meant to mean anything ?
On the whole, my feelings concerning these stuffed toy seats kind of remind me of how I felt about the designs of the Memphis movement in the eighties. And I also could not understand very well how someone who designed such good stuff for Olivetti (i.e. Sotsass) could end up doing such weird shit (pardon my language) for the Memphis movement. But after reading Koens expose of the reasons for founding this movement, it started to make some sense to me. So I was wondering, is something like this going on with the Campanas ? Or perhaps I am completely out of whack here. What to make of it ? I admit, I am lost on this one.
Hmm, going to try to put up a picture of a stuffed animal seat. Fingers crossed & here we go:
http://www.designmuseum.org/design/fernando-humberto-campana
mr Bird, it has nothing to do...
mr Bird, it has nothing to do with liking or not liking gear switches, it has everything to do with not UNDERSTANDING gear switches. I think these are two partially different components: 1. liking 2. understanding.
With respect to Memphis, i never visually liked the style and i still do not now (see component 1). However, earlier i also did not understand why anyone would design something Memphisstyle, especially when the person first did drastically different things before (see component 2). Why CHANGE ? This i did not understand. After reading Koens resume, however, i now have a little bit more background information. This still does not make me like the style visually, but it does help me capture where they are coming from. I do respect them for the point they have made. I also respect them for the way in which they have made their point: not by lamenting in articles, but by a clear demonstration, which can not be missed by anyone.
As for gear switches, i do not know whether the Campanas did a gearswitch (for that judgement i am not familiar enough with their work). But on first sight there does not appear to be a marquant shift in attitude from their earlier work.
So i would be interested in knowing some more background info (or even educated guesses) on arguments underlying this work. This might change my mind on understanding and value in message (component 2), but is not very likely to change my mind on component 1 (liking).
To post, not post
I was first tempted to post because:
It's a new air, in a -barcelona chair community-
I was not tempted to post because:
I'm not so near Brazil as many of you could think, and I don't want to look like a -defender-.
We could be more like competitors.
Finally I'll post maybe because:
In the beginning I didn't like them-Campana brothers- (3years ago), But when you posted, Ito,
I fund ?SOMETHING- there. I didn,t know what, but to think of. I will try to find something.
Second approach with first little research Pt.1:
Hey ite!! you took the images from: http://www.designmuseum.org
Did you read this article?:
http://www.designmuseum.org/design/fernando-humberto-campana
What do you think about it?
I woul'd remark:
The challenge, as the Campanas see it, is to transform something poor into something decadent and opulent.
The material tradition of Brazil is based on craftsmanship and economy of means. By experimenting with high and low tech materials and using artisanal techniques, the Campanas are able to harness the energies of their inherited tradition while defining a new aesthetic based on experimentation and advanced technologies. They have also created a fresh and surprising way of looking at things. By weaving the fabric of São Paulo into their objects, the brothers present a very personal portrait of their city. 'Our designs were born in the street, from the urban kitsch of the popular quarters and contact with nature,' they say. 'Whenever we can, we go back to our farm. Nature revitalizes our ideas.'
'We make A KIND OF DEVIATION BY USING EXISTING INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS THAT HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN BY CONSUMERS, AND THEN ADAPT THEM FOR OUR PROJECTS. This is a thin and dangerous line that can transform design into something kitsch or folksy. It has to have a balance in order to avoid all traps and vices.'
The complete article:
http://www.designmuseum.org/design/fernando-humberto-campana
Second approach with first little research Pt.2:
Their work is a tropical version of the creative salvage movement spearheaded by Ron Arad and Tom Dixon that shook up the UK scene in the 1980s, and takes its inspiration from the 'spontaneous architecture' employed by the residents of São Paolo's slums. The brothers use waste materials such as garden hose, carpet, straw and cardboard to vibrant effect.
Note:It's true, please compare some Ron Arad and Tom Dixon metal stuff with campana's stuff.
About fabella, if someone doesen't konw, what are the Fabella: -spontaneous architecture- employed by the residents of São Paolo's slums.
(To compare brazilian fabellas with fabella chair).
From: ICON
I also liked the pinked marked text
The article:
n-magazine.co.uk/issues/014/campana.htm
Second approach with first little research Pt.3:
ALESSI
Their radical point of view is strengthened by the use of poor materials and industrial rubbish. Hand-made products represent the possibility of social redemption in a poor country. Their intention is, however, to find a way for Brazilian design, avoiding European colonization.
To read:
http://www.alessi.com/catalogo/autore/Campana+Fratelli/201
By the way.....
Do you like this?
I don't know if you understand,
But Do you like?
When I saw them the first time (2 years ago), I said: GOOD!!, and when I saw who made them, (I could never imagined Campana!!) then I was confused. It was a strange-nice surprise.
Do you like this?:
http://www.alessi.com/catalogo/oggetto/Blow+up/basket/1689/2843/
And this
And this:
(I don't know how to post pictures yet, so I'll have to wait to 'P&A post a pictures system'
This:
http://www.alessi.com/catalogo/oggetto/Blow+up/citrus+basket/1690/2845/
If you need any help, please contact us at – info@designaddict.com