Performance art: Designers turn to Craft Alchemy

01 : 12 : 2011 Fendi : Design Performance : Design Miami

Miami Beach – German designer Elisa Strozyk and artist Sebastian Neeb have created the Design Performance project for Design Miami/ 2011 at the invitation of luxury fashion house Fendi.

Fendi Craft Alchemy, Design Miami Fendi Craft Alchemy, Design Miami
Inlay Commode, Fendi Craft Alchemy by Elisa Strozyk and Sebastian Need Inlay Commode, Fendi Craft Alchemy by Elisa Strozyk and Sebastian Need
Sewn Leather Desk, Fendi Craft Alchemy by Elisa Strozyk and Sebastian Need Sewn Leather Desk, Fendi Craft Alchemy by Elisa Strozyk and Sebastian Need

The designers made use of the grainy textures of leather and wood for the project, called Craft Alchemy, creating 3D applications to adorn classic pieces of 18th-century furniture. By combining and superimposing new and old ideas of craft, they produced pieces that are immediately contemporary.

Strozyk and Neeb’s work reflects the emerging trends for using natural materials in a raw and simple form, taking pieces with a history and repurposing them for the 21st century, and playing with physical and fantastical interpretations.

The inspiration for the work was the Palazzo Fendi, where the fashion house has its headquarters, while the leather pieces are cast-offs from the Fendi production process. Strozyk’s carpets for German design company Böwer were shown at the Cologne Furniture Fair in January.

Look out for further reports on Design Miami/ in our Seed and Shows sections.

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