Check out the interview with Arango's David and Marianne Russell from MetropolisMag.com
The Educated Eye
By Paul Clemence
On a grey Tuesday afternoon, as ICFF exhibitors and attendees prepared
to depart the confines of the Jacob Javits Convention Center after the
latest edition of the design fair, I went to Carroll Gardens in
Brooklyn. There I sat down with Marianne and David Russell at the airy,
light filled indoor patio of Le Petit Cafe to catch up with the design
retail duo, principals at Miami’s iconic design store Arango. This year,
during the fair, I was busy with my video project screening at the
Boffo Showhouse and attending parallel events outside the fair, so I had
seen very little of the fair’s new design offerings. Their refined,
educated, and experienced eyes, lead me to ask Marianne and David to
tell me what I missed. Here are 5 highlights of what they saw and what
they had to say about them. The words are Marianne’s:
- One piece that stood out in simple sculptural form was the Plateau
Chair designed by Danish designer Erik Magnussen. This is a comfortable
lounge chair and work chair, with a high back perfect for relaxing and
TV watching, while the right armrest is designed to hold a cup, glass,
iPad, book, or laptop. Plateau Chair was awarded the prestigious Red Dot
Award in 2011 when it was first introduced in Europe. We were impressed
by the quality and workmanship. Each chair’s upholstery is
hand-stitched in the same manner as the Egg chair. The Plateau Chair is
the best example of an elegant and personal design.
Lighting was the most interesting category this year, with LED
technology generating stimulating new design concepts. Pablo’s Circa
Lamp, one of several using flat panel LED light source, was unique in
its design allowing the panel to pivot to direct the light where needed,
and giving a warm balanced ambient light.
Events and exhibitions outside the fair were even more interesting, with
great finds. Down the street from Javits, at Wanted Design, we ventured
into the stand of the American manufacturer Kontextur. They were
introducing a new WC Line of bathroom accessories, designed by Josh
Owen, made of durable sanitary silicone and tanoak. The most beautiful, I
may even say poetic, piece being the tissue box cover; all pieces from
plunger, toilet brush, to waste bin are available in pure white, black,
and terracotta red.
Also at Wanted Design, Josh Owen was presenting “Metaproject 02,” an
impressive exhibition of work by students from Rochester Institute of
Technology (RIT). Glass designers were paired with industrial design
students in projects utilizing recycled glass. Of the many interesting
solutions we enjoyed was “The Receiver” by August Kawski—an object
derived from the constant cultural clash between technology and
community. The Receiver, a large round glass dome with a handle cast in
form of a classic Dreyfuss handset, is intended to hold and mute mobile
phones during social gatherings, leaving everyone free of distractions
and able to interact with one another. A beautiful frosted glass
prototype was on display.
In Soho we went to Alessi to see the results of “Metal Workshop:
Cranbrook for Alessi.” An exhibition of prototypes from a collaboration
of a mixed group of recent graduates from the 3D Design and Metals
program at Cranbrook Academy of Art, working together for a week in the
metal shop to explore techniques and forms, which might later translate
into Alessi products. Presented were four pieces selected for
production. Our favorite was VTray designed by Adam Shirley.
A stunning piece of highly polished stainless steel, about 16” long,
folded in a repeated V profile with separate clear acrylic elements
fitting into the folds. A perfect tray for fruit, cheese and crackers,
crudités and condiments, also great in the office for paper and pens,
paperclips and note cards, or in the bathroom for Q-tips, soaps, and
small towels. This well-thought-out product is sure to be a commercial
success.
To comb through the array of new products and designs offered each year
is no easy task. It takes a well trained eye, like David’s and
Marianne’s, to go over countless stands and showrooms in search of items
that are not just “cool,” or “pretty,” but that actually have the
function and price that can make it into potentially a new design
classic. After doing so many fairs, here and abroad, and successfully
carrying Judith Arango’s legacy into today’s highly competitive design
consumers’ market, it is safe to say that the Russells know a thing or
two about how to select product. The items highlighted here, other than
‘The Receiver’ which is a study project, are sure bets and will be in
their Miami store this Fall.
Paul Clemence, MetropolisMag.com
