These Totems for Living by OEUFFICE were created for Milan Design Week 2011 and shown at the pop-up space created by Beirut's Carwan Gallery, a gallery that Yatzer reports is the first to promote emerging Middle Eastern contemporary design.
Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte and Jakub Zak from Samare Studio and Studio Patricia Urquiola, respectively, collabored to create the Totems for Living. The limited-edition line features sculptural shelving that's meant to channel tribal totem poles in a modern context.
The totems' vertical construction draws the eyes upward nicely; like traditional totem poles, each successive shelf is meant to highlight a specific object in the home, encouraging viewers to appreciate and comment on its beauty. I especially like the transparent totem in the center.
What's Driving This Trend
- Sculptural Shelving
- Opportunity for designing unique and artistic shelving solutions that serve both aesthetic and functional purposes.
- Modern Tribal Design
- Potential for incorporating traditional tribal elements into contemporary design, offering a fusion of cultural heritage and modern innovation.
- Limited-edition Furniture
- Demand for exclusive, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that cater to collectors and individuals seeking unique home decor.
Who This Affects Most
- Furniture Design
- Innovative furniture designers can explore new ways to incorporate sculptural elements and cultural influences in their creations.
- Interior Design
- Interior designers can experiment with incorporating tribal-inspired shelving as statement pieces in residential and commercial spaces.
- Art Galleries
- Art galleries can showcase limited-edition, modern tribal furniture pieces to attract collectors and enthusiasts interested in unique design.
