Friends + Design Exhibition Explores the Relationships Between Designers

An exhibition dedicated to the friendships and rivalries between designers has seen the likes of Philippe Malouin and Bethan Laura Wood come together to create collaborative pieces.

Bethan Laura Wood and Philippe Malouin created a series of everyday objects for one another, as if they were in each other's heads.

For the Friends + Design exhibition at Dresden's Museum of Decorative Arts, seven designers split into three groups were asked by curators Tulga Beyerle and Maria Cristina Didero how they would express friendships through work.

The duo decided to create a bedroom for each other in the gallery space.

Groups consisting of Michael Young and Richard Hutten with Jerszy Seymour; Mathias Hahn with Tomás Alonso; and Bethan Laura Wood with Philippe Malouin. Each created new collaborative works for the exhibition, spanning over three rooms.

Inside each bedroom, boldly colored textiles are paired with unusually shaped beds, chairs and desks.

"The theme of friendship has preoccupied philosophers and artists since time immemorial," said the curators. "The Kunstgewerbe Museum asks in its exhibition how designers handle their friendships. On one hand they are rivals and as a rule do not work together; on the other hand, they share the passion for the metier."

Dutch designer Richard Hutten, Berlin-born Jerszy Seymour and British industrial designer Michael Young created a marble table named Youhutseymatic.

Dutch designer Richard Hutten, whose iconic double-handed Dombo mug "makes people happy", worked with Berlin-born Jerszy Seymour and British industrial designer Michael Young. Their creation was a marble table named Youhutseymatic, which is based on Cadavre Exquis – a technique invented by surrealist artists to create bizarre and intuitive drawings.

The table is based on Cadavre Exquis – a technique invented by surrealist artists to create bizarre and intuitive drawings.

The table features numerous motifs on its surface, including one resembling Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man drawing and another with a dollar sign.

Although Mathias Hahn and Tomás Alonso share a space at London's Okay Studio, the pair have never worked together prior to the exhibition.

Mathias Hahn and Tomás Alonso were asked to create a present for one another, and focused on the gift of time.

The designers – whose previous works include opaline glassware and a desk with attached accessories – were tasked with giving one another a present. Having decided on the gift of time, they embarked on a journey together from London to Dresden, collecting pieces along the way.

"Their answer is as surprising as touching – in times of challenging economic austerity in production the friends decided to devote time to each other by setting off on a journey from London to Dresden," said the curators.

For their piece, the pair embarked on a journey together from London to Dresden collecting pieces along the way.

"Through the eyes of two young designers we are able to perceive the common passion for production and processes."

London-based designers Bethan Laura Wood and Philippe Malouin were asked to create a series of everyday objects for one another, as if they were in each other's heads.

The Friends + Design exhibition takes place until 1 November 2016 at The Museum of Decorative Arts in Dresden, Germany

The duo decided to create bedrooms. Inside them, boldly colored textiles are paired with unusually shaped beds, chairs and desks.

The Friends + Design exhibition takes place until 1 November 2016 at the Kunstgewerbe Museum (Museum of Decorative Arts) in Dresden, Germany.

Original article at DeZeen: http://www.dezeen.com/2016/07/26/friends-design-dresden-museum-decorative-arts-relationships-between-designers-philippe-malouin-bethan-laura-wood/