Poetic Design

Olga Engel harmoniously fuses materiality with minimalism and functionality with a light mood and poetic touch of irony. Taking her cues from personal stories, she brings sensitivity and charisma to her work. Her practice is fuelled by the desire to metamorphose ordinary objects into whimsical design pieces by giving them new and unexpected functions. For the first time the gallery will present a CHARLOTTE collection in Amsterdam. Collectible objects inspired by poetic design of renowned French designer Charlotte Perriand.  Minimalistic and ironic tables and consoles are made of warm oak wood. 

 

Olga Engel: “I have always been inspired by Charlotte Perriand’s approach to design. I have questioned how she found her route to the French hearts, while historically the cultural tradition of design and interiors in France is so luxury and decorative. The answer was: “Her design is simple and poetic. Luxury in simplicity. I think my objects have this poetic touch as well.” 

 

Sho Ota

Eindhoven graduate Sho Ota – known for his multi-layered, sculptural designs – will introduce a new series of side tables made of Abachi wood, seeking to push the boundaries of woodcrafting. In his inimitable style, Sho examines the idea of beginning with a minimalist form and subtly building in complexity. For his new Splint chair, Sho has unified a large rectangular mass, which serves as a base, with smaller elements of wood; the main component alone is unstable but when assembled with the secondary parts, it is strengthened, allowing it to function as a table. Usually in furniture production, these parts are hidden or blended within the structure of an object, however, here Sho has deliberately left them exposed, simplifying them and presenting them in a form that is easy to understand.

 

Sho explains: ‘I find such simple, true minimalism without concealment to be beautiful. I find grace and beauty in its honest structure.’