A window into the design process

Design store Republic of Fritz Hansen will push the creative process to the fore from this week – providing a literal window into the way designers and artists work.

Crash Plug-In Wallpaper by Liam Richardson
Crash Plug-In Wallpaper by Liam Richardson

Scandinavian design brands Fritz Hansen and Skandium have joined forces with London based design-duo makecreate to launch the Artists in Residence programme, which will see a selection of designers and artists using the London store window frontage as a temporary studio.

A mixture of emerging and established practitioners will be featured, in disciplines ranging from design to sculpture to painting and jewellery-making.

FootMade Shoes by Eugenia Morpurgo
FootMade Shoes by Eugenia Morpurgo

Fritz Hansen says, ‘The purpose of the Artists in Residence installation is to give the public insight in to how an artist carries out their design process – from idea to finished piece – and how they overcome the challenges they face in-between.’

As well as providing a lively spectacle for visitors to the store, it’s hoped the programme will help the creatives involved to gain exposure of their work and directly show potential clients what they’re all about.

Birds by Celia Smith
Birds by Celia Smith

Artist Celia Smith, who will be the first artist in residence, says, ‘I enjoy working in new environments. The majority of my work-time is spent on my own in my studio so working where I can interact will be interesting for me and hopefully interesting for the shops clientele’.

by Kristian Fletcher
by Kristian Fletcher

Makecreate co-founder Scott McNeely adds, ‘A recent trip to Bordeaux inspired the concept for showcasing artists and makers while watching an attentive shop assistant carefully and artistically addressing her very personal window display.

The residency will provide the participants with an unique and exciting environment in which to work, meet and entice passers by.’

OrderDisruption by Giulia Ricci.
OrderDisruption by Giulia Ricci.

Each artist will work in the space for anywhere between two and five days.

We’re particularly excited to see the work of Julie Rafalski, who creates these Mondrian-esque geometric images, which she says look to create new meanings from existing 20th century imagery, sourced from old books.

Rafalski 1 by Julie Rafalski
Rafalski 1 by Julie Rafalski

Another intriguing-looking resident is conceptual designer Juan Montero, who explores human interactions to produce work that ‘disrupts habitual behaviour’, according to Fritz Hansen, though film, photography, and interactive design.

Hacking Hope by Juan Montero
Hacking Hope by Juan Montero

Makecreate’s Scott McNeely & Danny Steadman will be in residence in early June, showing how they work with the aim of ‘enticing reactions and senses’, they say.

200 and 2012 by Makecreate
200 and 2012 by Makecreate

Artists in Residence will run from 1 May – 16 June at Republic of Fritz Hansen, 13 Margaret Street, London W1

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