A two-legged table?! I know what you’re thinking, “can’t be!?” “why that’s impossible!” “are you outta your mind!?” Aha, but it can; and it’s not; and I am. (But that last part is unrelated).
Israeli designers Shay Carmoun and Ben Kilinger, collaborating as StudioVe here in Tel Aviv, have reinterpreted the traditional coffee table relying on asymmetrical, oak, wooden legs, positioned at the oblique corners to offset the table’s balance and stability. But what really clinches the deal is their use of a DuPont(tm) Corian(R) techno-surface. According to the press release,
The upper ends of the legs perforate the table top made with DuPont(tm) Corian(R) high-tech surface, conferring rigidity to the table. Further stability comes from the joints between the tabletop and legs. By perforating the Corian(R) tabletop, the legs appear to have the dislodged matter piled on top, incrementing the contact area of the joints and thus their stability. This refined detail is at the same time an aesthetic highlight of the table.
Thanks to the thermoforming ability of DuPont(tm) Corian(R) and the possibility to create invisible seams (even with other materials), the table features astonishing purity in terms of aesthetics and confers a touch of prestige to the smart and stylish design.
First marketed as a high-performance countertop for kitchens and bathrooms, DuPont(tm) Corian(R) has recently become a favorite of the architecture and design world for its malleable material and versatile applications – from indoors to outdoors, surfaces to walls. Moreover, it’s been certified by many green standards in the US, including the US Green Building Council, for its benefits to the environment.
Special thanks to Design Milk, design blog gods, for this amazing roundup of the most current, modern and design-y menorahs (or chanukiyot) on the market these days – many available online for international or US shipping. With the first night of Chanukah starting tonight, start modernizing your ancient holiday traditions fast! Happy Chanukah – and holidays – to all!
Above: Last Match Menorah by Kathleen Walsh available at Unicahome.
While I was hibernating the past few, um, months, a few exciting new initiatives/ sites have cropped up from Israel that Id like to feature this week. I’m not just talking about Twitter feeds for Israeli cultural events in NY or newsletters about Israeli art exhibitions, I’m talking about real interactive, innovative and exciting projects/ organizations/ sites/ etc that elevate Israeli art to a new level of engagement. And so, to kick things off, and perhaps clarify what I mean, take a look at ST-ART, “the first Israeli artist incubator project”.
Founded in 2008 by Serge Tiroche, ST-ART aims to advance new and young Israeli artists through a mentoring program that, much like venture capitalists offer business entrepreneurs, guides them through the business side of the art world.
Each year, four to six talented art school graduates are hand-picked by Tiroche and CEO and curator Dana Hasson, for a two year “incubator period” in which artists exhibit in Israel and abroad and meet with leading figures in today’s art scene, from gallery owners to critics to collectors.
“About 90 percent of art school graduates, estimates Tiroche, give up on a fulltime career as an artist within a year or two,” says Tiroche. An astonishing – and saddening – statistic that ST-ART clearly hopes to overturn.
For more on ST-ART, check out this recent article in the Jerusalem Post or visit their website. Or, head on down to see the excitement for yourself at ST-ART 3, featuring works by Michel Platnick and Michal Shafnir, currently on view at HaTsedef 8 in Jaffa.
Special thanks to Pascal Perich, over at the Etsy Storque blog, for sending a link to his video interview and feature of the serene and etheral lighting fixtures by Israeli designers Yael Erel and Avner Ben Natan.
Having met in high school, Erel and Ben Natan draw their inspiration from architecture, nature and everything in between, using ready-made and specially-constructed materials, to explore the impact of structure on lighting. Lightexture also strives to incorporate energy efficient principles while creative other-worldly atmospheres, all by hand, from their Brooklyn studio.
For more on this dynamic duo, including more on their creative process, check out the video below.
From the Israeli Center for Digital Art: Last date for first round of proposals: 27.04.2010
The Jessie Cohen Project wishes to explore the ways in which art can take part in processes of change on a city or neighbourhood scale, by working side by side with other municipal, governmental, and private institutions. To learn about the neighbourhood and project, click here.
(Hebrew site).
The Jessie Cohen Project will take place over the course of two years (2010-2011) in which different art projects will take place, with priority given to projects that have the potential for sustainability beyond 2011, in which case funding solutions should not be reliant on the center.
Our intention is to enable long term working processes and artists’ involvement alongside joint work with other “players” in the neighborhood like the community center, the schools and the municipality.
Proposals should include:
+A brief description of the project (one A4 page at most)
+A description of the involvement with other elements in the community, neighborhood or municipality
+A description of the implementation of the project – people involved, technical needs
+Project budget
+Duration of the project
Proposals should be sent to info@digitalartlab.org.il
We encourage projects that: take into consideration the special needs of different groups and communities in the neighborhood; encourage new audiences and publics to come to the neighborhood; see the art community as a target group; explore the possibilities of art action in the community; and enable long-term and sustainable processes for social, cultural and communal involvement.
The Israeli Center for Digital Art and the Lazaorus Community Center, together with other municipal bodies can provide help and financial support with research and implementation of the projects by coordinating, helping with production; accessing needed work and exhibition spaces, and exposing the project to the general public.
I was so excited to see this morning the dramatic rise in number of Israeli artists on Etsy – the global, online marketplace for all things handmade. And was inspired to kick off an albeit late but still exciting holiday gift guide featuring some of the loveliest jewelry I drooled over this morning. It’s not too late to order some of these for Christmas holiday gift-giving, but who knows: eight more days of Chanukah and some express delivery means these are still relevant for those seeking some meaningful, handcrafted and unique items straight from Israel.
First, is Avishag who sells jewelry from the Negev (southern) region through her Shoogi shop. The combination of vintage, secondhand, handmade and overall personal touches in neckalces, broaches and earrings nearly had me buying my own gifts – and burning my credit card. Take this lucite rose and vontage glass bead necklace which won my top spot for presents this year (hint hint, dear family members who read this).
Industrial Designer Shlomit Ofir, from Tel Aviv, brings an organic and natural touch to earrings, necklaces, hair clips and more with her range of branch, leaf and flower-inspired pieces. This silver branch necklace was just the right blend of interesting, modern and aged.
Also from Tel Aviv is graphic designer-turned- jewelry maker Anakim who’s blend of natural materials from Israel with precious metals and stones is at once handcrafted and industrial, personal and universal. This lava bead and organic silver pendant necklace from popular seller struck an interesting chord with me, both modern and timeless, subtle and eye-catching.
There are plenty more Israeli jewelry designers on Etsy, some of which I hope to continue featuring during Chanukah, but I invite you to send me emails or comment below with some of your Gift for Her suggestions from Etsy. I’ll be posting about gifts for him, babies, and the home as the holiday festivities continue. I encourage you all this season to shop loca, support independent artists and buy something that’s personal for your loved ones. Happy Chanukah and enjoy the miracles of family, friends and lots of fried food – for the first night at least
I was psyched that journalist extraordinaire, Karin Kloosterman, turned to me for research help with her article featuring Israel’s leading Israeli designers for a feature article for ISRAEL21c.org. Read the full article reprinted below, or see the full article here alongside other great spotlights on Israeli innovations.
Their designs are comfortable, hip and beautiful and their work is garnering recognition and praise worldwide. ISRAEL21c focuses on seven of the country’s top industrial designers. Combining art and aesthetics with function and purpose, industrial designers can make our lives more comfortable, hip, beautiful and eco-aware.
Israel can boast its own Philippe Starck. The only democracy in the Middle East is also the birthplace of another world-famous designer – UK-based Ron Arad. After designing for famous studios in Europe, Arad opened a studio in London, where he also teaches at the Royal College of Art. And in Israel, Arad recently designed the international Design Museum Holon, soon to make its debut.
ISRAEL21c brings you seven of our favorite Israeli designers of whom you should also be aware:
Arik Levy
Based in France, you might find yourself looking at your own reflection in one of Arik Levy‘s enormous and highly polished metallic ‘gem’ seats in a hidden Paris garden. “Design is an uncontrolled muscle,” says Levy, a self-described technician, artist, photographer and filmmaker. Best known for his industrial furniture design for global companies and installations, Levy works out of Paris, where he commands a 20-person team. They work on the less glitzy side of the business as well, designing packaging, signs and exhibitions.
Shay Alkalay and Yael Mer
Shay Alkalay and Yael Mer, a design duo from Israel, now live in London where they run Raw Edges Design Studio. Partners in both work and life, photographs of the two in design magazines would make you think that all they do is play all day. Tutored under Ron Arad at the Royal College of Art, the off-the-wall pair is known for its playful non-commercial products like the Evacuation Skirt (in case global warming flooding occurs and you need an inflatable canoe) and Sticky Stains for hiding those nasty mustard stains on white shirts. Featured in serious design exhibits and shops for their gravity-challenging furniture that also tests the limits of material, these two young ones clearly have a long career ahead.
Shahar Peleg
Designing commercial products in small quantities, Shahar Peleg creates trinkets for everyday life, making hanging your keys or placing your purse on the table just a little more interesting. His products are sold in design stores in Israel, Europe and the US where he is loved for his experimentation with optical illusions – a mixture of design and “magic” that compels you to take a closer look. His chain-link wine rack is a hot item.
Ayala Serfaty Ayala Serfaty of Aqua Creations makes lamps of monumental proportions. Using large swathes of fabric, plastics and glass, she creates her signature look: Organic lamps and lampshades that seem to have been swept in from the sea. She designs furniture, too. You’ll find her work in museums in New York and Paris and hotel lobbies around the world. Serfaty sets the right mood for a nightcap.
Ototo Ototo, the design duo Ori Saidi and Daniel Gassner, like to test the limits of everyday objects. A famous fruit bowl of theirs can be described as a place “where iron meets origami.” They have a signature piece, a doggy bank made to look like metallic balloons, and a vase made from stacked teacups. It’s perfect for tea with the Mad Hatter.
Gadi Amit
Gadi Amit of NewDealDesign crafted one of Israel’s most popular water coolers. In the big world of computers he has designed computer casings – some sustainable – for several of the biggest names in the industry. Based in California, Amit has been busy designing the charge points for Israel’s new electric car stations, so that people will be able to charge their battery cars in style. But you don’t have to buy a bamboo PC, or wait to buy an electric car to see his work. Find his designs at the Chicago Athenaeum, the Cooper Hewitt-National Design Museum and at San Francisco’s MOMA.
Efrat Gommeh
Featured on design-o-phile sites like DesignBoom, Efrat Gommeh, is more than a little playful. In response to a need to reduce packaging in the design industry, she’s developed a package for candles that transforms into candleholders. Her Lock-Cup is a favorite among office workers. Each one includes a personal key, without which the coffee cup won’t hold any liquid. This way, only you and you alone can use your coffee cup at break-time.
(Research credit for this story goes to Ziva Haller-Rubenstein of the DesignistDream.com blog) Thanks, Karin!
Although it’s been a while since I’ve last updated, I still get a ton of emails inquiring about IKEA products. In the past, I’ve more than extolled the fun, accessible and affordable products sold in IKEA. I was even supremely excited – and checked my mailbox for days – when the 2010 catalogue finally arrived.
It seemed like the promise of a clutter-free, airy and design-savvy home was even closer than before – even if our Billy bookcase is among the most expensive in the world (why why why). Then a chance encounter with this article at Apartment Therapy opened my eyes, or rather raised some very challenging questions about the value of ‘design for all’ – which I know is Target’s slogan but holds the same promise as IKEA: affordable, knock-off but just as inspired, accessible design items.
* [IKEA is] …by some measures the world’s third-largest wood consumer. The company declines to pay a premium to ensure that all timber is legally harvested, citing costs that would be passed along to the consumer.
* IKEA furniture is made of particleboard and pine is not meant to last a lifetime.
* [IKEA] positions outlets far from city centers, where taxes are low and commuting costs high—the average IKEA customer drives 50 miles round-trip.
* Designed but not crafted, IKEA bookcases and chairs, like most cheap objects, resist involvement: when they break or malfunction, we tend not to fix them. Rather, we buy new ones.
The full article, “Buy to Last”, by Ellen Ruppell Shell for The Atlantic, regards the need for quality and value, and their effects on consumption and hence the environment. It’s something we all probably think about daily as we assess how we live and better our homes. Where do we strike a middle ground of affordability and quality that is most sustainable?
In her book, Cheap: The High Quest for Discount Culture, Shell, explores the larger questions that, in the coming year, we may want to investigate within ourselves a bit further. What value do we place on art, trained skill, handicraft and artisanship? What are the consequences for local designers, artists and craftsmen if we rush out to the global, mass produced wharehouse and stock up on disposable items, produced in a developing country’s minimum wage-paid factory employees?
I hope the year ahead will be full of meaning in creativity and process; and significance in hand-made and personal. For me, and Designist Dream, I plan to focus this year on Israeli designers and artists who are investing and dedicating themselves to their work. Hopefully, before you head out to IKEA for that pre-fab bed frame, you’ll reconsider visiting Rishon LeZion’s Furniture Design Center where store owners are also the carpenters and craftsmen who customize everything your home needs to your specifications. It may cost more, but you’re supporting local artisans in Israel and the importance of skill and craft. Shana Tova U’Metukah, Happy New Year to all.
So we were very happy to find out about a Sustainable Design Seminar starting at the Israeli Design Center in Holon next week, because that means that not only is the trend continuing, but it’s hitting the mainstream as well.
The five session seminar, led by Adital Ella (photographed above) and Yair Engel, both of whom are sustainable designers and experts in the field of sustainable design and industry, begins Tuesday June 9th, and is intended for designers, students, and those interested in the field of sustainability. Topics include: a history of Sustainable Design, related materials and approaches and a screening of the recent film, Addicted to Plastic (see trailer below).
More about the seminar here.
And for more on green initiatives and news from the Middle East check out Green Prophet
A very creative, inspiring and funny friend of mine has started a new blog called Levavot which is Hebrew for hearts. It’s all about givin’ some luv, as her posts feature hearts in the oddest of places – bus stop ads, shops, streets, high schools, and more – the point is (well, there are several, bit one nice one, I think) there’s a lot of love in Israel and maybe we can all see it and share some with our fellow citizens, Jewish, Arab, Druze, Christian, whatever.
Ok, so that was a bit political, but it can also be a bit more personal. Take the time to see the romantic, sweet and touching love we all really want to share with someone, deep down. So check it out for yourselves and sign up for some added lovin’. There’s even a place to write in a charity you ‘heart’ so others will spread the word and generate support.
