Posted by sabine7
Shows | 23 Apr 08 | Comments (3) | Stumble
Meta’s first collection was launched in Milan last week, with the North American launch set for ICFF in New York next month. This inaugural collection features the work of a handful of top designers who worked with master craftsmen to combine “exquisite materials, the finest techniques of the past and a contemporary aesthetic.” The results are beautiful. Shown above: the Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend lantern by Matali Crasset, the Cupola reading table by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, and the Ivo table by Asymptote, Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture. We wish we could show you the Fig Leaf wardrobe, a masterpiece by Tord Boontje, but we all have to wait till next month.
Cidade silver surtout de table(958 Britannia silver) by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby
Ivo table by Asymptote
Cupola reading table (seven hand-blown Venini glass pieces) by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend by Matali Crasset, using paktong, an ancient gold-coloured silver metal
Mnemos 3 by Asymptote
Satinwood compartments of the Mnemos 3
Glissade writing desk with sliding top by Wales & Wales
The Fig Leaf wardrobe was one of the objects that I was most curious to see - it is probably the one that most well expresses the current design-art trend.
The Fig Leaf was well-presented: standing alone in the centre of a courtyard. Completely majestic. I wonder how it will be shown in New York. It is a massively opulent piece. The tree itself is quite imposing, as is the handwoven silk surround, but the layer of leaves was the most spectacular part of the armoire, without a doubt. It will be very interesting to hear comments once the photos are released because it is the type of design piece that will elicit many opinions.
I am curious about the thoughts behind the Meta objects. I heard that someone had written some really interesting stuff - Katherine someone??? I want to know more about the ideas behind the pieces in the collection. Why all the references to antique archetypes? Can you put me in touch with the historian Katherine? I like the idea of making things with all the workmanship of museum pieces, but I want to understand what goes into it. Not enough on the Meta website. Seems like the designers have a big step forward here, but I want to know more about it.