Muller Van Severen’s Architecturally Inspired Furniture

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Hannes Van Severen and Fien Muller in their studio. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp/Rome.

Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp/Rome.

Tim Van Laere Gallery in Antwerp is hosting ‘Frames’, the first solo exhibition by the acclaimed design duo Muller Van Severen. Running from 10 October to 23 November 2024, this exhibition blurs the lines between art and function, offering a new perspective on the intersection of sculpture and everyday objects.

For the past 15 years, Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen have been pushing the boundaries of design, creating works that challenge our perception of what furniture can be. Their approach is both innovative and thoughtful, resulting in pieces that are as much about form as they are about function.

The ‘Frames’ exhibition takes this concept to new heights. For the first time, Muller Van Severen presents a series of entirely unique works, each piece starting life as a single plate before being transformed through cutting and folding. This process creates not just functional spaces within the objects, but also bridges the gap between reality and imagination.

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At Tim Van Laere Gallery, more than 30 works come together to create an all-encompassing universe of form, colour, light, reflection, and transparency. The exhibition draws inspiration from various architectural forms, celebrating the possibilities of pure geometric shapes.

Muller Van Severen desire to make these geometric forms an essential part of our everyday lives. Visitors are encouraged not just to observe, but to interact with and inhabit the sculptures. This participatory approach builds on principles introduced by Franz West, who famously proclaimed furniture as legitimate art objects.

The duo’s work explores how furniture shapes our lives and impacts both space and user. It raises questions about how these objects enhance dialogue between us, each other, and the space around us. This approach positions Muller Van Severen at the cutting edge of design, much like Gordon Matta-Clark’s revolutionary stance on architecture and art.