Thomas Eyck presents 2m² Flowerfield, a small patch of wilderness hidden in the burtling Salone del Mobile in Milan.
Location
Rossana Orlandi
Via Matteo Bandello 14
20123 Milan, Italy
Opening hours
Monday 6 June–Sunday 12 June, 10:00–20:00
In almost all cultures, flowers have become synonymous with our understanding of beauty and elegance – even the simplest of bouquets can bring joy to our domestic interior. The symbolic and meaningful role that flowers play in society has always fascinated me. Vibrantly blooming flowers tell a story of appreciation and admiration without the need for words.
The different phases of a flower’s life – from awakening green buds to dried-out petals and everything in between – are the starting point for this project. The ready-made flower field shows a series of experiments that reflect my inspirational universe, built from a variety of sources.
Mundane objects found in my daily life or collected throughout years of travelling are combined with samples from my atelier. Through a whimsical lens I have assembled this flower field.
My multimedia and layered approach combines traditional methods with new media, and innovative techniques with craftsmanship. Some flower parts are 3D scanned and printed with recycled plastic yarn, while petals are thoroughly examined and hand recreated in textiles.
My design philosophy has always been the ‘Atelier-Way-of-Working’. That means that I hand-make my own colours, materials, and models and in doing so create new and unique shapes and forms. I have an eye for detail, and working by hand allows me to achieve that precision – whether it’s finding that exact shade of fluorescent pink or slightly tweaking the proportions of a seat for a more comfy sit.
Colour is my truest passion. It’s at the heart of what I design and something I like to toggle with from start to finish. Colour, and with it ideas of transparency, layering and grids have the potential to add so much dimensionality to a piece – it’s so much more than just the icing on the cake!
Nature is a big inspiration for my work. I like to say that flowers can never be too vulgar, no matter how bright they are. So that’s something I’m constantly challenging myself to further explore: how can I incorporate these bold colours whilst still achieving a sense of refinement?
I’m certainly no stranger to a touch of fluorescent – in fact, it’s almost become a signature. It used to be a real challenge to produce these fluorescents in different materials but over time and with the introduction of colour-fast inks, it’s increasingly achievable. To say I’m pleased is an understatement.
I’ve been fortunate to work with prestigious brands and museums – all of which have their own unique ethos and history. Understanding this DNA and exactly what each brand stands for is my starting place and a great source of inspiration. When collaborating, I strive for a finished product where we can honestly say that we see reflections of both our identities.
Contact
Watteaustraat 52
1077 ZN Amsterdam
The Netherlands
info@carolebaijings.com
+31(0)650244473
@carolebaijings
www.scholtenbaijings.com
@scholtenbaijings
Clients
Ahrend, Artifort, 1616 / Arita Japan, 2016 /, The Art Institute of Chicago, Bardelli, _basketclub_, BMW Group / MINI, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, Design Within Reach, Established & Sons, Fatboy, Fortnum & Mason, Gelderland, George Jensen, HAY, Herman Miller, IKEA, J. HILL’s Standard, Karimoku New Standard, Kvadrat, London Design Festival, Luce di Carrara, Maharam, Moooi, Moroso, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Pastoe, Phaidon, Pressalit, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Samsung, Schönbuch, Skyline Design, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum ‘s Hertogenbosch, Manufacture de Sèvres, TextielMuseum, Thomas Eyck, Up To Do Good, Velux, Verreum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Zuiderzee Museum.
Credits
Studio, and ‘A Pop of Colour’ for Fatboy photography by Inga Powilleit.
‘My Mask’ and ‘Mask Mist’ for Up To Do Good photography by Myrthe Giesbers.
Website by Fält.