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- Draga & Aurel, a renowned design studio, unveiled a new furniture collection at Design Miami, collaborating with Todd Merrill Studio, focusing on Lucite and light refractions.
- The collection includes Ribbon Pendant Lamps, Flare Dining Table, and Flare Cabinet, each blending art and functionality with innovative light and color play.
- Research suggests their designs, inspired by artists like Jiyong Lee and Vasa Mihich, transform everyday materials into captivating art pieces, crafted by Lake Como artisans.
Introduction to the Collection
Draga & Aurel, founded by Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow, have long been celebrated for their ability to capture light through furniture. Their latest collection, showcased at Design Miami in collaboration with Todd Merrill Studio, continues this legacy. This collection features three standout pieces: the Ribbon Pendant Lamps, Flare Dining Table, and Flare Cabinet, each designed to blur the line between art and utility.
Detailed Descriptions
- Ribbon Pendant Lamps: These lamps feature a curved acrylic resin ribbon with LED-lit capsules, incorporating opaline inserts and neon colors. The transparent Lucite creates a dynamic, shifting visual effect, making them feel like gallery art rather than just lighting.
- Flare Dining Table: Part of the Flare series, this table uses layered colored Lucite to create a mesmerizing play of light and color, inspired by Jiyong Lee and Vasa Mihich, turning it into a striking centerpiece.
- Flare Cabinet: This storage piece combines a rounded metal frame with transparent Lucite doors and legs, enhancing light refraction for a hypnotic, floating appearance, elevating it to an artistic level.
Conclusion and Further Exploration
The collection highlights Draga & Aurel’s commitment to craftsmanship, with pieces meticulously crafted by Lake Como artisans. To learn more, visit their website at draga-aure.com or Todd Merrill Studio at toddmerrillstudio.com. All images are courtesy of Federica Lissoni (federicalissoni.com).
Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of Draga & Aurel’s Latest Collection
Overview and Context
Draga & Aurel, a design studio founded by Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow, has established itself as a leader in innovative furniture design, particularly known for its use of Lucite to capture and manipulate light. Their latest collection, unveiled at Design Miami in collaboration with Todd Merrill Studio, represents a significant evolution in their exploration of light, color, and transparency. This collection, featuring the Ribbon Pendant Lamps, Flare Dining Table, and Flare Cabinet, was showcased to an audience appreciative of contemporary design, further solidifying their reputation.
The collaboration with Todd Merrill Studio, renowned for their curated selection of modern and antique furniture, provided a platform for Draga & Aurel to refine their vision. This partnership ensured that the collection was not only creatively ambitious but also practically executable, with the pieces presented at Design Miami receiving notable attention.
Detailed Examination of Each Piece
Ribbon Pendant Lamps: A Symphony of Light and Color
The Ribbon Pendant Lamps stand out as a testament to Draga & Aurel’s ability to transform functional lighting into a dynamic art form. Each lamp consists of a gracefully curved ribbon made from acrylic resin, draped over an LED-lit capsule. The use of opaline inserts and vibrant neon colors, suspended within the Lucite, creates a visual effect reminiscent of light refracting through a prism or a droplet of water. This effect is not static; the transparency of the Lucite allows the lamp to appear as two overlapping parallel surfaces, with the interplay of light and color changing with the viewer’s perspective.
This design goes beyond mere illumination, offering an experience akin to observing art in a gallery. Imagine walking into a room and being greeted by a soft, ethereal glow that seems to dance and shift with your every step. The lamps’ ability to capture fleeting light refractions, such as those seen in everyday life, transforms them into a captivating centerpiece, inviting contemplation and admiration.
Flare Dining Table: Where Color Meets Transparency
The Flare Dining Table, part of the studio’s Flare series, represents a deeper exploration into the use of colored Lucite and its interaction with light. Constructed from layered sheets of colored Lucite, the table creates a mesmerizing play of light and color through refraction. The design is inspired by the color mastery of artist Jiyong Lee (jiyonglee.com) and the innovative acrylic sculptures of Vasa Mihich (vasamihich.com), freezing brilliant flashes of color within the transparency of the material.
The table’s geometric angles enhance this effect, making it not just a functional piece but a captivating work of art. Sitting down at the Flare Dining Table is like dining amidst a living artwork, with the surface coming alive as light passes through, creating a constantly shifting display of color and pattern. This piece transcends its original purpose, becoming an enchanting experience that elevates any dining space.
Flare Cabinet: Artful Storage Solutions
Completing the Flare collection, the Flare Cabinet takes the concept of storage and transforms it into a piece of art. Its rounded metal frame provides a striking contrast to the transparent Lucite doors, which are crafted from sheets of varying shapes and thicknesses. This design choice enhances the bending and refracting of light, creating a hypnotic visual effect that changes as one moves around the piece.
Supported by transparent, colorless Lucite legs, the cabinet appears to float, adding to its ethereal quality. Despite its expansive size, the use of Lucite lends it a sense of lightness and airiness, making it a versatile addition to modern interiors. Opening its doors is like uncovering a secret, as the interplay of light and material reveals hidden depths and unexpected beauty, making it more than just a storage solution.
The Art of Craftsmanship and Design Process
What sets Draga & Aurel’s work apart is their commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, with each piece meticulously crafted by a team of master artisans from Lake Como. This dedication ensures that every detail is perfect, from the seamless integration of materials to the flawless execution of their designs. The process begins with extensive research and experimentation, often involving the study of natural light phenomena and how they can be replicated or enhanced through design.
For instance, the Ribbon Pendant Lamps involved months of perfecting the shape and composition of the acrylic resin ribbon to achieve the desired light-refracting effect. The Flare series drew inspiration from Jiyong Lee and Vasa Mihich, with their works providing a foundation for the use of colored Lucite and its layering to create depth and movement. Lucite, a type of acrylic resin, is central to their designs due to its transparency and ability to manipulate light, with custom formulations and techniques developed to meet high standards.
Collaboration and Impact
The collaboration with Todd Merrill Studio was pivotal, allowing for a seamless integration of creative ideas with practical production and presentation. Todd Merrill Studio, known for their curated selection of modern and antique furniture, provided valuable insights and support, ensuring the collection was showcased to its full potential at Design Miami.
Draga & Aurel’s work has been widely recognized and acclaimed in the design community, with previous collections featured in numerous exhibitions and publications. Their pieces are sought after by collectors and design enthusiasts globally, and this latest collection is expected to further solidify their reputation as pioneers in light-based furniture design, inspiring other designers and pushing the industry forward.
Further Resources
Draga & Aurel’s latest collection is a celebration of light, color, and transparency, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to pushing the limits of furniture design. By immortalizing the ephemeral beauty of light refractions, they invite us to see the world with new eyes, appreciating the magic that light can create. Their legacy is one of innovation and artistic excellence, transforming everyday materials into extraordinary works of art.
For those interested in exploring more, visit draga-aure.com for Draga & Aurel’s full collection or toddmerrillstudio.com for more on Todd Merrill Studio. All images in this article are courtesy of Federica Lissoni (federicalissoni.com), whose photography captures the essence of these designs.
Key Citations
- Draga & Aurel Official Website
- Todd Merrill Studio Official Website
- Jiyong Lee Artist Profile
- Vasa Mihich Sculptor Portfolio
- Federica Lissoni Photography Portfolio
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