Fabrica designers create nine unique objects for L'ArcoBaleno
Designers at Italian research studio Fabrica have collaborated with artisans to create a collection of nine one-off objects for online design platform L'ArcoBaleno.
The One And Only collection sets out to challenge traditional online retail models by proposing collectable unique pieces, each by a Fabrica designer, instead of mass-produced goods.
The set includes a distorting mirror, a three-dimensional still-life arrangement and a wall applique made of bread.
"It's wonderful to be able to collaborate with young talents coming out of Fabrica," said Ambra Medda, creative director and co-founder of L'ArcoBaleno. "In this project, designers and artisans are mutually supportive, bringing the designer's work to life at such a high quality and allowing for the artisan's work to be seen by a larger audience."
Each object comes with an artistic interpretation of the designer's drawing – meaning the customer not only gets a product, but also a representation of the idea at its foundation.
The pieces include Narcissus by Japanese designer Tomomi Maezawa, a mirror hand-painted with an optical illusion. A reference to the lines of human facial muscles, the illusion distorts the user's reflection.
French designer Ferréol Babin created Ombre, a side table made of burnt pine and oak, referencing a traditional Japanese timber-finishing technique.
Portuguese graphic designer Catarina Carreiras' Maybe sculpture is made from bread – a material traditionally used in Sardinia to make elaborate forms. Mariana Fernandes, also from Portugal, has designed a hand-woven carpet intended as a wall hanging.
Centrum Fugere by Federico Floriani is a box with a seam camouflaged by the pattern of the Guatemalan green marble, making it look like a solid object and thus concealing its contents.
German designer Pascal Hien's polished marble cylinder, Division, is designed to be broken. Striking the middle with a steel chisel breaks the cylinder into two pieces, forming two vases.
Natura Morta with Parrot by Italian Giorgia Zanellato is intended to be a reversal of the traditional still-life painting by translating a two-dimensional artwork back into an object.
Scottish designer Dean Brown combines folded sheet metal with hand-carved wood to form his Makeshift Tray.
Finally, Fabrica studio director Sam Baron has designed a wrought iron sculpture referencing traditional decorative French ornaments called Attaches Moi.
The collection has been made in Europe by skilled artisans and is available exclusively through the L'ArcoBaleno website.
Established by fashion brand Benetton in 1994, Fabrica offers young designers from around the world a one-year scholarship, accommodation and a round-trip ticket to Italy.
The highly diverse group of researchers comprises the educational institution, research workshop and studio, with the aim of bringing about positive social change.