Franz Kafka once said: “Prague never lets you go…This dear little mother has sharp claws.” So it could be observed about the realm of Czech architecture and design, past and present. Once you get to know the result of Czech passion, tradition, craftsmanship and aesthetics, you never let it go.
The “Czech Selection/10” showcased companies employing traditional crafts with contemporary design, who work with their own or external designers. Moser, LASVIT, Bohemia Machine and Qubus brought glass, TON chairs, and ARDECO showed their artistic approach to creating unique wood flooring, for which they received an ICFF 2010 Editor Award in the flooring category.
view of the installation of the Czech firm Verreum at ICFF 2010 / photo: Katerina Kyselica
view of the Czech installation at ICFF 2010, front: chairs Stockholm from TON / photo: Katerina Kyselica
detail of the oak flooring by ARDECO - Editor Awards in flooring category / photo: courtesy of ARDECO
As an insider to the Czech culture and design market, I was pleased to see on the floor of ICFF products other than the decorative glass objects Czechs are known for. And I wasn’t the only one lured into the center of the Czech exhibit space. There, among white, serene, floating-like cubes lit from below and above to enhance the qualities of products placed on top of them (the whole exhibition designed by architect Michal Fronek from the studio Olgoj Chorchoj) stood a desk. A funky desk. A desk for creative people, or those who really like to stay organized. Designed by Lucie Koldova for PROCESS CZ, the “Treasury” Table’s translucent glass top reveals drawers of varying sizes, all atop aluminum legs. Clean, smart, fresh, and excellently manufactured.
US premier of the 'Treasury Table' by Lucie Koldova for PROGRESS CZ at ICFF 2010 / photo: Katerina Kyselica
'Treasury Table' by Lucie Koldova / photo: courtesy of PROCESS CZ
Inspired by Mondrian’s grid, architect Vladimir Amos, from A.M.O.S. Design, designed the “Moving Mondrian” bookcase. Made of Corian and placed on rubber wheels, the whole unit as well as some of its drawers allows for mobility – contrary to the rather static appearance of Mondrian’s paintings.
I admired the paintings by P. Mondrian as well as by Malevich. They were really “path-breaking”. In furniture, similar themes appear. Perhaps the first one to play with them was the architect Rietveld, a member of the De Stijl group, with his famous armchair RED BLUE in about 1918…The present interiors seem very static, with minimalism that brought angular pieces of furniture…which really encourages one to disturb the space with a free mobile component…The mobile bookcase is designed in such a way that individual coloured surfaces can move on the bookcase grid. The motif of randomness gives a refreshing impression,” noted Vladimir Amos on his design.
'Moving Mondrian' by Vladimir Amos / photo: courtesy of A.M.O.S. Design
There was also a light fixture in the shape of a flower, rather futuristic looking, hanging above one of the white cubes. Designed by Filip Streit for ATEH, the “Flower” is made of Plexiglass and uses a flexible metal stem to direct the light. In a larger installation, you can create a ceiling covered with flowers with a variety of “blossoms” – the light comes with one, two or three “blossoms”. If you fancy bubbles or prefer something more refined, the “Bubbles in Space” chandelier designed by Jitka Skuhrava and made of hand blown glass by LASVIT can certainly satisfy your craving to show off when the lights turn on.
'Flower' by Filip Streit for ATEH tested at ICFF / photo left: courtesy of ATEH, right: Katerina Kyselica
view of the Czech installation with 'Bubbles in Space' by Jitka Skuhrava for LASVIT in the right / photo: Katerina Kyselica
Last but not least, a project called “Krehky” (Fragile) returned to the floor of ICFF to present additions to their collection of limited edition objects. In 2008, the collection managed by PROFIL MEDIA received an ICFF 2008 Editor Award in the category of Accessories. This year, they brought a beautiful glass bowl, “Cuba,” designed by studio Olgoj Chorchoj for MOSER, reminiscent of the massive glass ashtrays used by Havana cigar smokers. Also, shown was a hand-made Breakfast table with sophisticated marquetry by designer Klára Šumová.
glass bowl 'Cuba' by studio Olgoj Chorchoj / photo: courtesy of Profil Media
from the 'Landscape Collection' by Jakub Berdych/Qubus studio / photo: courtesy of Qubus studio
Filed under: Design, New York City, Prague Tagged: | Czech, Design, Furniture, Glass, ICFF, New York City, Product Design
