gallery ALL at design miami/basel 2015

gallery ALL at design miami/basel 2015
(above) brass split chair | brass collection, 2014
designed by zhoujie zhang
edition of 12 / brass / 850mm x 600mm x 600mm

on the occasion of design miami/basel 2015, gallery ALL presents a mix of contemporary objects by an international set of designers, which highlights the union between materiality, abstraction and functionality. amongst the exhibited works is the brass collection by zhoujie zhang, new pieces from naihan li, a sculptural chair by aranda\lasch, a historically-rich tea set by trent jansen, and lighting by chen lu.

brass bowie chair | brass collection, 2014
designed by zhoujie zhang
edition of 12 / brass / 750mm x 600mm x 600mm

the brass collection by zhoujie zhang is the second series of objects developed with endless forms, which involves zhang’s digitalized fabrication system that generates a constantly-changing family of objects. the designer’s practice emphasizes the role of the computer and utilizes parametric mathematics to digitally create permutations of his designs.

the cloth valet | crates series, 2014
designed by naihan li
edition of 12 / mirror-finished stainless steel, black walnut
2003mm x 700mm x 225mm (closed) / 2003mm x 2100mm x 75mm (fully-opened)

the source for the ‘crates series’ by naihan li originated from the uncertainty of beijing’s ever-changing urban landscape. the crates resemble the exterior of shipping containers, opening to reveal instantly functional household and office environments.

detail of ‘the cloth valet’

the bar is an interpretation of one of naihan li’s favorite activities: traveling around the world with foldable furniture on wheels. the series began with kitchen and entertainment sets and has since expanded to a full collection including desks, sofas and racks.

bar | crates series, 2014
designed by naihan li
edition of 12 / mirror-finished stainless steel, black walnut
970mm x 1100mm x 550mm (closed) / 1360mm x 2200mm x 410mm (fully-opened)

opened bar from the crates series

the ‘I am a monument’ collection by by naihan li explores new material, using wood with resin-inlay to create a cartoon-like effect of miniature architectural representations. the series serves as a humorous expression of the solemnity of famous buildings, adding to the everyday playfulness of the environment people live in.

the birmingham library side table | I am a monument 2.0, 2015
designed by naihan li
edition of 12 / basswood filled with acrylic
603mm x 588mm x 640mm

detail of ‘the birmingham library side table’

the leeds broadcasting tower cabinet | I am a monument 2.0, 2015
designed by naihan li
edition of 12 / basswood filled with acrylic / 1270mm x 395mm x 1890mm

the ‘briggs family tea service’ by trent jansen symbolizes the marriage of george briggs (a free settler to tasmania) to woretermoeteyenner of the pairrebeenne people, and the four children they had together. the tea service unites the materials common for water holding to each culture: porcelain in britain and bull kelp in tasmania, representing the beginnings of a hybrid culture.

broached colonial briggs family tea service
designed by trent jansen
slip cast porcelain, bull kelp, wallaby pelt, copper and brass, copper and brass

the ‘metal low chair’ is a continuation of the experimentation of aranda\lasch’s ‘primitives’ series. appearing like islands, the chair can be a new way to furnish a space, with these clusters that can be sat on, leaned against, and held in your arms.

metal low chair
designed by aranda\lasch
edition of 8 / mirror-finished stainless steel, anodized stainless steel / 910mm x 1050mm x 760mm

‘dream lantern’ bychen lu is the result of research of late eighteenth to mid nineteenth centuries objects, such as magic lanterns and lights. the four decorative shades are abstractions informed by different elements from the famous life of escaped convict mary bryant.

broached colonial dream lantern
designed by chen lu
light, brass and glass
H 257.5mm x W 75mm (light) / W 425mm (brass disc) / H 113.5mm x W 355mm (cut glass) / H 45mm x W 425mm (timber) / H 31.5mm x W 350mm (translucent marblo)