Reflection of Arts and Crafts in Modern Object Design
The traditional arts and crafts include the wide range of various manual manufacturing techniques. Today, these methods and approaches proved by many years of historic experience are evoked in the diverse items by modern Russian Designers from Denis Milovanov to Harry Nuriev.
Artistic Metal Carving by Harry Nuriev
In an interview with Design Mate, Harry Nuriyev revealed how much he appreciated the loyalty to the roots and added that he always could turn it into a new fashion trend. Last year, designer presented two plain evidences of his ambitious statement. At the Cosmoscow Fair, Nuriev showed the furniture from his Re:collection series inspired by memories about the USSR childhood, as well as the new series of functional objects called Stavropol. Both these collections were put on exhibit at the Russian Design as Art section (supervised by Christina Krasnyanskaya). The designer used an ancient craft of artistic metal carving, although dyed his items into unusually modern colors, including his favorite blue hue.
Basma Art by Basmaconcept
Basma is an ancient craft, where decorations are engraved on a thin shit of metal. The artisans who used Basma technique utilized a special matrix blank with decorative patterns for stamping on copper or silver shits. The founders of new furniture brand Basmaconcept Ivan Basov and Semen Lavdanskiy, attempt to reconsider and give fresh interpretation to the traditional materials and their processing technologies, while skillfully combining different approaches and fashions in order to create some new and unique product. The Forest table is among the first products released by this brand. A wide table flange is veneered with gold-plated copper-nickel shits. As for the decorative patterns, the designers used an ancient press mold with floral ornament of branches and berries, so the resulting decorations are such that you can easily imagine them stamped on some ancient picture frame or other precious artefact.
Pottery Milk Bathing by Alena Mukhina
Alyona Mukhina graduated from the Moscow Institute of Architecture and developed interest for pottery as a simple hobby, but soon something that started as a way to spend leisure time turned into a real passion. Only in a year and a half, Alena already worked on a collection of black tableware for Archpole. Today, her range of products is not limited to utensils only and also includes unique handmade sculptures sold at L'appartement concept store. Alena’s pottery is a fascinating combination of monochrome colors, imperfect shapes and strong personality, since each item bears a distinct touch of a master. One of the techniques utilized by the potter is milk bathing. This ancient method was widely used by our ancestors to make the pottery more durable, while boiling milk also gave it a beautiful brownish color and unusual texture reminiscent of either flower petals or bird feathers. “When I work with clay, I try to explore the potential of material as much as I can without using paint coatings or colored glaze, since I prefer only natural colors and textures”, the designer says.
Boiling wood in oil by Denis Milovanov
Denis Milovanov calls himself an artist who paints with a saw. Instead of taking measurements, drawing marking lines, creating layouts and composing paper models, he immediately picks up an instrument. Milovanov works with raw timber, so the first thing he has to do is to remove moist. For this purpose, designer uses an ancient technique of boiling wood in oil. Thus, the timber not only becomes virtually ageless, but also gains unique heavy shade. After the wooden blocks are boiled in oil, the artist proceeds with chisel and saw to create signatory solemn and grim items. Tables and benches, room screens and cabinets produced by Denis are successfully put on exhibit in Europe, including PAD in Paris and Design Miami/Basel in Switzerland. Currently Denis Milovanov is represented by the Paris gallery Armel Soyer.
Weaving by Anastasia Aliyeva
Anastasiya Aliyeva is textile designer. She graduated from the Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry majoring in textile design and currently focuses on designing wallpaper and texti;e products, while participating in the contemporary art exhibitions. Last year, Anastasiya released collection of decorated fabrics, bedspreads, table textile and bedclothes for the.DOT.home. As a material for her products, she used jacquarette requiring sophisticated and skillful processing technique. Its pattern is composed at the braiding level, so the result is always unpredictable and unique. The designer drew inspiration from natural textures and shapes of birch and leaves complemented with strict geometric elements so to make the pattern look more modern. The production process was based on authentic techniques of Balin Manufacture.
