Like most lawn ornaments, lawn gnomes have a reputation for being kitschy to the point of outright tackiness, but the NINO Gnome is hoping to bring the goofy sculptures an edge. The cement sculpture is a collaboration between Plato Design and designer Pellegrino Cucciniello, and it playfully teases the classic red and blue gnome of yesteryear by replacing it with a stylish, brutalist sibling.
Plato Design is releasing the NINO Gnome in three colors: light grey, dark grey, and pastel pink. Each color adheres to the same cement cast, which is a jagged, rough take on the classic gnomic stance. Since they're indeed made of cement, the NINO Gnomes can handle serving as actual lawn ornaments, however both Cucciniello and Plato Design recommend the sculpture as an indoor piece.
Brutalist Lawn Gnomes
The NINO Gnome is an Edgy, Playful Take on the Classic Sculpture
Trend Themes
1. Brutalist Sculptures - The NINO Gnome is an example of how a traditional kitschy lawn ornament can be transformed into a stylish, edgy sculpture through brutalist design and aesthetics.
2. Indoor-outdoor Decor - The NINO Gnome's versatility as an indoor and outdoor sculpture suggests a trend towards home decor designs that can be easily transitioned between spaces with minimal effort.
3. Kitsch Reinvented - The NINO Gnome represents a new wave of modern kitsch, where designers are looking to recontextualize traditional kitschy designs with a fresh, contemporary twist.
Industry Implications
1. Home Decor - The NINO Gnome is an example of the creative new directions that home decor designers are taking by incorporating playful and edgy sculptures into interior design.
2. Gardening/landscaping - The NINO Gnome's cement material and brutalist design highlights the potential for innovative approaches towards garden and landscaping sculptures that are both durable and stylish.
3. Art/design Collaboration - Plato Design's collaboration with designer Pellegrino Cucciniello displays the benefits that can come from creative partnerships between art and design professionals.