The largest Nordic meeting place for the 60th time 40,000sqm with nearly 40,000 visitors, where from 23% came outside of Sweden. The Stockholm Furniture Fair and Northern Light Fair 2011 were indeed bigger than ever and the organisers stated that their position is to be considered as the most important exhibition in Europe after Milan (by the way: the latter is 5 times bigger than the exhibition space of the Venezia in the North). Knowing Stockholmsmässan by myself I would put the Nordic Design fair on the 3rd place, right after Cologne and therefore on the winners stairs, especially when proving one’s courage of showing really novelties in so far seldom to be seen forms, materials and colours. But that’s Scandinavia, always more brave than the others without forgetting the sustainable and “useable” factor for the customers to buy.
above: Lounge by Arik Levy Hot Chilli in the “Greenhouse” The colour green in conjunction with a house means here that something shall grow up. Most of the upcoming exhibitors are coming of course from Sweden and neighbouring countries. Usually the youngsters are having a nice time and the atmosphere is rather more “cool” than exciting. But exceptions are confirming the rule, for instant with some 5 guys and one lady from Chile. They called their website http://www.gt2p.cl which shall stand for Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication Studio – aha –.
However, having met these Latin Americans not personally, than their neat arranged homepage gives you already an idea how vibrant and creative they are. On the spot was amazing to see how their bright or better say white-coloured stand with hanging lamps, out-of shape mirrors and small boards, a low bench and a black star-like carpet without pinnacles on a raw-wooden floor countering the neighbouring stands. No wonder that many visitors stand for a moment still, before they were coming closer.
In Stockholm they did not show their “Twin Shelves” but not like Peter Maly or Thomas Bernstrand which designed their shelves awkward or better say crooked. Yes, but …. gt2p does it crooked and bowed. It bubbles and blubbers when looking at it for a longer time and all kind of ordinary things can be placed in it as well. Surprisingly this shelf comes also a divider and not as any other, it separates a room delight- and playful. As they are also building architects especially for public projects in Chile I might conclude that their interior-philosophy will not halt at the entrance of a community centre or any gathering place. Anyhow, have fun by strolling through their real recommendable website, it’s really like hot chillies.
Wolfgang G. K체lper 째 02/11 Partner of:
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