Carbon date: Designers draw on Swiss folk tradition

08 : 06 : 2012 Design : Basel : Art Basel

Basel – Studio Formafantasma has created a series of jars and water filters composed of charcoal and mouth-blown glass for Confrontations, a project for Vitra Design Museum showcasing in Design Miami/Basel next week.

The designers were paired with Doris Wicki, one of the only remaining experts in the method of making charcoal through a slow-burning process which takes place outdoors over five to seven days.

The practice is a long-standing Swiss tradition and is also associated with nostalgic ‘happenings’ evocative of folk events, reminiscent of LS:N Global’s Revivalism macro trend.

Olive wood and carbonised oak are paired with the blown glass to form the minimalist vessels. Purified water will be served alongside the exhibition next week, highlighting the mineralising process of the charcoal on the water.

LS:N Global will be reporting from Design Miami/Basel next week, for more coverage keep an eye on our seed and shows section.

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