Moroso | New & Refreshed Pieces for 2010.

Klara armchair by Patricia Urquiola. The name was chosen as it evokes a sense of tranquility (Klare in German means clear, limpid, whilst the Spanish equivalent Clara communicates serenity). This chair emphasises the importance of blending decorative art, craftsmanship and industrial design.

Spring is a modular sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola. The idea for the Springfield sofa is based around the concept of solid geometrical shapes. Never thought a dusty pink upholstery would look this good on a sofa.

Silver Lake, designed by the prolific Patricia Urquiola was inspired by the Californian modernism of the ‘50s. This range consists of three sofas, two armchairs and a small armchair displaying a continuous geometric interplay of solids and voids. Apparently, Silver Lake is the name of a Los Angeles neighbourhood that is famous for its architecture and today hosts numerous architecture firms and creative agencies.

Memory – a chair without a shape, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka, an imaginative Japanese design super star who never fails to experiment and surprise. “Memory is a seat that completes its own design by changing shape. For this project I created a special fabric from recycled aluminium, and worked to make a chair that transforms and memorises its shape. This chair seeks to echo the beauty of nature, with its ever-changing expressions, giving the idea that the design doesn’t even exist” – Tokujin Yoshioka

Paper Planes seating range designed by Nipa Doshi & Jonathan Levien. “Paper Planes arose from the creation of a design for a new fabric incorporating Swarovski crystal elements. The idea underlying the fabric came from folded graph paper, which brings to mind mathematical and scientific images, in total contrast to the festive, joyful, superficial characteristics associated with crystals. We created a checked pattern using thin black and white lines, each with its own line of crystals. The idea is that the crystals are integrated into the design, so as to become almost invisible, hidden by the checked lines, and reappear only when the light gleams off them.  In creating this fabric, we found we were working with a visual language that is architectural and spatial, ornate but not ornamental. As the name suggests, our approach to designing the chair involved creating shapes by folding and forming darts with the paper illustrating the checked fabric.  We made a cosy, comfortable reading chair that was nonetheless visually light, as if to defeat gravity” – Doshi Levien.

Wood Chair designed by FRONT. “The seat is covered with thousands of beads, creating a comfortable surface that stimulates the body. It draws its inspiration from taxi-drivers’ seats and from haute couture” – FRONT

So. I’ve been meaning to do this post for over three months now. True story. What the hell happened? I have no idea. Bugger.

Anyway, I got my hands on Moroso’s press kit in Milan earlier this year because I wanted to show you all the super awesome pieces which were realeased at the Salone del Mobile. That was in April, and we are now in July. I guess I’m not that late, huh? Shocking, I know. But better late than never.

So, here are my favourite pieces released this year (shown above), and a pick of refreshed pieces released in 2009 (shown below). And in case you missed the whole thing, you can read about my wrap up of the Salone right here, or you can check out the entire category of posts dedicated to Milan.

Ok. Where was I? Oh yes. Moroso is one of those companies that always seems to get it right – they strike a perfect balance between conceptual and functional, technology and craft, established and emerging designers. I’m a huge fan. Respect.

I’ve done my best to include words from the designers about their inspiration for each piece which you can find in the captions. If there’s only one thing you read today, check out what Tokujin Yoshioka has to say about his Memory Chair above and Paper Sofa “Cloud” below. He is such an incredible mind.

Enjoy.

p.s. For all of you left wondering, Moroso is available in Australia through HUB furniture. I posted about their beautiful Sydney showroom right here.

Sushi Collection by Edward van Vliet. The patchwork covers in the vast Sushi collection are particularly striking and are the key elements of the various compositions, strengthened by an embroidered weave filled with shapes, hi-tech grids, spirographics and patterns reminiscent of Moroccan damask.

Rift collection by Patricia Urquiola was inspired by rift valleys, which explains the name of the pieces. “Just like tectonic plates, which diverge, collide and overlap, creating several layers, the Rift sofas and chairs convey, in a highly unusual way, an effect of a sliding movement and asymmetric fusion.”

Rangoli Carpets designed by Doshi Levien. Rangoli was initially created as part of an installation “Myth and Material” that travelled to Paris and New York. With an irreverent and spontaneous use of colour and materials, Doshi Levien’s installation explored the influence of Indian visual culture on their work. Oh how FUN!

Paper Sofa “Cloud” designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. “I have pondered on expressing the texture of material in nature through industrial product. This new product for Moroso might be a reminiscent of clouds in the sky and flow of water, which are breathed in one’s memories. In recent years, I have been fascinated by the elements of nature, are not deliberated on purpose but they have the beauty born of coincidence beyond human imagination. For example, I find beauty in paper when it is rather scrambled or torn. or Moroso, I have pondered on expressing the texture of material in nature through an industrial product” – Tokujin Yoshioka.

The Moment Collection byFRONT. “The Moment collection makes a striking use of photographic images to create an illusion of movement in the objects and to twist the experience of their shape and materiality. The images make the cushions of the sofa balance on their edges, turn a flat surface into one richly draped with fabric, and make a wooden surface soft. Real light and shadow mix together with printed ones.  A sudden light flare is preserved by a print on the table top and the light from a window decorates the carpet like at a frozen moment” – FRONT