12 December 2016

MUG "I am a Ceramic"

MUG "I am a Ceramic"


It is time for the next entry. Today we would like to present to you mrs Agnieszka Formalewska, designer and owner of brand design Agaf Design - Fun Loving Function and her amazing product - a mug "I am a Ceramic".




Similar cups designer remembered from her childhood and decided to give this object a new life. For the very first moment when she saw this battered and wonr enamel mug she knew shejust found some good form. She also knew that it was in the wrong material. Metal burnt the hand and lips while it also failed to hold in the heat. To her the form could work but only as a ceramic …. and she wasn't a ceramicist.




She wondered how to do it for really long time, because she had no idea of the ceramic material and the technology of production, and the companies to which she drew were not interested. In the end, she decided to do it by her own. In 2010 she set up her own studio and produced the first prototype but it would be several years before she would find the exact match of clay, glaze and paint that would make the “I am a Ceramic” mug a high quality, functional reality.









The result is a product that most cannot believe is not enamel but also a product with several twists.

The rust spots and dents on an enamel mug signal the product is unusable and needs to be disposed of. In the Agaf Design ceramic mug these become features. What was damage becomes decoration.





We just LOOOVE the Mug "I am a Ceramic". It combines the simplicity of everyday products that many of us associate with childhood and at the same time, through the use of ceramics and finish with the precious metal becomes a luxury product. Object, on which we usually do not pay much attention suddenly becomes an ornament, element of art and interior design. We wish more such surprising projects that stay longer in our memories and evoke so warm feelings. And we wish more brillant ideas to a designer!

20 November 2016

DEEP BLUE - Cloak Cabin

Not so long ago, in october, in Kortrijk (Belgium) took place 25th Silver Edition of the Biennale Interieur 2016. This is an amazing exhibition, during which you can get acquainted with innovative ideas and interesting projects of contemporary designers of architecture, design and equipment.







photo: Emmy Derwin Fox 

Our designers decided to visit the exhibition. And to be honest - we do not regret it. It was exciting! 

At every step, our eyes met on something new, innovative and unique. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to look at the design with a "fresh eye".
Everything was intresting. But as it always happens, some projects we liked more than others. Few of them stay in our memory for longer. One such project, which had a big impression on us is an original piece of furniture by Emmy Derwin Fox of New Zealand. We mean an amazing dresser called Cloak Cabin.
The furniture turned our attention primarily by its unusual color. Sharp, dark blue color delighted not only us, but many others visitors. Besides this, it charmed us with its simple, ut still modern form. The designer decided to limit for maximum ornamentation of furniture and used only straight line and shapes. All these treatments have made this piece of furniture a humble piece of equipment and a work of art in itself at the same time.
But above all, the most impressive is functionality of this furniture. With the walls, which can be easily dismantled, we ourselves create the final form of our furniture. We can completely shut it down, or create open fields, which will give a touch of lightness to this furniture. As designers we appreciate such creative solutions that allow users to petty interference in the surrounding area.

We look forward to the next creative ideas of this amazing designer and we will certainly continue to follow her career. Or maybe you have seen recently some interesting others projects? We are waiting for the info!


Agnieszka Gansiniec 
Architect,designer  with more than 15 years of experience in housing, commercial, as well as specialized industrial architecture. We are full of ideas, innovative and always ready to listen to the customers' needs. Very focused not only on general aesthetics but also the functionality of the design and the efficiency of used space

Dorota Koziol - Architect

17 November 2016

Meadow CARPET - In the middle of winter you can sense the spring


Meadow CARPET - In the middle of winter you can sense the spring.






Collection NATURAL naturally refers to SEDUM SEBOLDII series. It is a new approach to detail. In this way lamp, carpet, and stool pads and dining pads have been invented. Its all made with natural materials: wool felt and plywood. It is neither painted nor dyed – just natural. Of course, my motto is to combine craft with cutting-edge technologies, therefore I utilized CNC milling machine and oscillating knife plotter, afterwards there was only handcraft.


Collection CARPET and POUF are handmade on weaving frame. She used natural felt and wool to make it . Every element – flower was made with oscillating knife plotter subsequently it was strung on cord to create a fringes. Next she join it together with warp like in traditional carpet. Carpet was weaved in one piece, but pouf was made of many smaller pieces joined into big one. The inspiration to do this collection was perennial – stonecrop Sedum Sieboldii. Its shape and colour intrigued me so far.

Felt is really multipurpose material therefore what she used it to  project. Combination of nature and natural material is perfect one! It was really hard but finally really satisfying job. 
Made by  Dominika Zientek


And we look forward to another interesting application projects.


http://art-in-the-box.be/registration



13 November 2016

Tic Tac Toe - carpet


It is time for the next article about inspiring designers. Today we would like to introduce you to Dominika Zientek, which has truly changed our view on the carpet's subject. 

She is a Polish designer who inspired by Bialystok's weaving tradition has decided to design and manufacture series of handcrafted, mass produced, modern carpets and jacquars fabrics. 
The entire collection of carpets  was made by synthesizing a wide variety of designs. As she said as, "the main role in her projects is connection between new technologies and traditional craftsmanship". Woolen yarn and textural surface make geometric composition.





 Jacquard fabric has been woven into jacquard hand-loomed doubled warp. The result is a double fabric, where the rear part is the reverse of the front side. 

A characteristic feature of Dominicas works is a consequence of the pattern. 




All fabrics are decorated with geometric shapes. We can observed many repeated squares - based systems, rectangles and lines of different thicknesses. In addition, the fabric is characterized by saving color. A significant part of the carpet is decorated with patterns based on the contrast of black and white statement. 





Others are made with a single, natural color, usually gray, where the main role is played by texture and orientation of strands.



In our view, the work of Dominica are simply beautiful. Their simplicity and consistency of pattern refer to the idea of contemporary art and architecture. These carpets will undoubtedly become a wonderful addition to any modern interior. With its choice of colors their will harmonize with other elements of equipment in most areas.
Here are a few of the projects Dominika Zientek . Behold and admire!
Agnieszka Gansiniec, Dorota Koziol


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07 November 2016

Why "August"?

Today we would like to continue our series of articles about contemporary designers who inspire us with their creativity. We would like to present to you the work of Olga Milczyńska and Iryna Grishina, who together, as a duo called "August", create really beautiful ceramics. 






Why "August"? As designers themselves explain, they are both huge fans of Mr August Sander, a photographer from the end of the nineteenth century, whose works were inspired by the human being and the material world. At the same time, August as a month represents for them patience, exploration of the surroundings, joy, and beauty, which are very important for Olga and Iryna. 


All of these together gave a name to their studio and defined their attitude to work. 
Olga and Iryna have been working with ceramics and photography for several years, and they gained experience while working in different countries such as Russia, Poland, England, France, Denmark, and Korea. 


Together they decided to create a project of beautiful and modern ceramics, which refer to traditional solutions at the same time. As they said, their goal is to "create beautiful, modern objects by using traditional techniques". 



They collaborate with craftsmen and always try to learn something new. 
Their works are characterized by gentleness and simplicity of form.
Interestingly, the girls do not focus exclusively on creating ceramic vasas, but also create other useful objects such as ceramic wall shelves, clay humidifiers or lamps.


If you want to learn more, please visit their website: www.augustaugust.pl



And meanwhile, we salute those capable girls!
And we look forward to another interesting application projects.

http://art-in-the-box.be/registration

02 November 2016

GRIZZLY BEAR - not for kids Adults only !

GRIZZLY BEAR



Comfortable rocking bear and functional lamp in one piece.
Furniture inspired by one of the most powerful animal in our globe. 
Combination of strenth and cuteness.     


   
It`s a project in which we can return to the world of carefree childhood and dreams. 
Just jump on and feel free to be kid again! Pull the tail, and the lights in his eyes will start to shine. 

Designed for adults to give fun and happiness. 

Made in Poland by Made by ANIA KANICKA 


And we look forward to another interesting application projects.
http://art-in-the-box.be/registration




26 October 2016

TABLE OF MY GRANDMOTHER - Erotic Design

Table of my grandmother 







“Table of my grandmother” was done in cooperation with my mother - Helena Kuklo - who made some of the pieces of the embroidery. The project is devoted to all women who used to spend great amounts of time creating pieces of clothing and everyday items for the family. Even an ordinary made napkin hides memories and thoughts about relationships, the family, children, love and...






Installation: table, cups, tablecloth with ten napkins, bobbin lace and embroidery
By Justyna Kolko 






And we look forward to another interesting application projects.
http://art-in-the-box.be/registration






19 October 2016

THE DEVELOPING BODY - Bodymap

As you know, Art-in-the-Box want to promote creation and show that the design can accompany us every day, and in every sphere of our lives. Lately, we made an appeal to local designers and ask them to presented to us their unusual projects so we can show them then during our next boxed-exhibition in the center of Brussels. For them, it could be a greate oportunity to promote their work, and a great way to make new contacts. At the same time the audience would receive another opportunity to get acquainted with new interesting design solutions, not available for them on a daily basis. The problem is, that during the exhibition the spaces are limited to 12 artists, and we expect a much larger number of applications. That's why we decided to show you all the interesting projects on our blog. 




Today we would like to present you a contemporary idea for an interesting and affordable sexual education for children. Thanks to the applied solutions, this method of learning will not be to childish and at the same time too insistent. The author of the project is Carlien Akinrolabu.



As the autor said, "what struck her about visual communication regarding sex was the fact that sex education in schools is totally incompatible with sex as it is presented in the media". Traditional sex education mostly makes use of illustration because using photographs of people and especially as making reprezentations of naked children could be considered a criminal offence. This is obvious for us. But at the same time, every day our children are inundated with explicit photography of a sexual nature in many television programs or commercials. That's why illustrations normally used during the course of sex education can not fulfill their role well. They are too schematic and unreal compared with what children watch every day to stay interesting for them.

That's made the designer to go looking for another visual language, which fitted the requirements: it should pass censorship, look realistic and match the universe of the target audience. As she said, "she decide to used the female body itself as her medium to transmit information. She developed an educational program on a computer operated embroidery machine, translating information about sex into a tangible shape, and true to scale". 



This  revolutionary method has resulted in innovative use of textile and allowed the designer to create remarkably detailed 3D-designs. The basic idea of the project is that the textile references the naked body without actually showing the body. Doing so allows the viewer to interpret this image and avoids stepping on the sensitive toes of the censorship committee. For us, this project is very innovative and interesting. It shows us, how a good idea and design may facilitate and, at the same time, embellish the various aspects of our everyday life. 

photo:Carlien Akinrolabu
And we look forward to another interesting application projects.
http://art-in-the-box.be/registration


Agnieszka Gansiniec, Dorota Kozioł