Milan 2015: Belgian duo Studio Job has used motifs from its archive to reinterpret "hyper-kitschy" cast-iron outdoor furniture.
Designed for Italian brand Seletti, Studio Job's Industry Garden Furniture is an update of decorative ironwork chairs and tables, which became popular towards the end of the 18th century and are still common today.
Studio Job retained the curvaceous forms of the legs, but replaced the perforated swirling patterns traditionally used across the flat surfaces with garden-related imagery including flowers and butterflies.
"For the edgy brand Seletti we have now re-designed this well-known but hyper-kitschy garden set using the Industry iconography," said Studio Job, which is led by artists Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel.
The patterns are developed from the studio's previous projects, including the marquetry used on a collection of furniture and the backdrop for Viktor & Rolf's Autumn Winter 2010 fashion show.
"The Industry theme is indeed an icon in our language," said Studio Job. "It has been used in the most different ways."
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"Why garden? Well, have you ever seen rock and roll garden furniture?" said the studio. "So, here it is! With gas masks, butterflies and many others from the Studio Job archives."
The collection includes dining chairs, as well as oval and circular patio tables, available in a range of colours. Cast from lightweight aluminium rather than traditional heavy ironwork, each piece can be disassembled for easy transportation.
"Many years ago we used to import traditional sets in metal for the garden, the typical vintage-looking furnishing pieces," said Seletti art director Stefano Seletti.
"My dream was to have them reinterpreted by Studio Job because I thought that their unusual and highly symbolic patterns would be perfect to give these objects a contemporary touch," he added.
The furniture will be exhibited at Casa Rossi, a 19th-century Milanese home, during the city's design week from 14 to 19 April.