Konstantin Grcic Panorama

Vitra Design Exhibition Concept Museum Konstantin Grcic Panorama

Medici, side chair, Mattiazzi, Konstantin Grcic, 2012 Champions, table, Galerie Kreo, Konstantin Grcic, 2011

Diana A-F, side tables, ClassiCon, Konstantin Grcic, 2002 Myto, cantilever chair, Plank, Konstantin Grcic, 2008 Miura, bar stool, Plank, Konstantin Grcic, 2005

Konstantin Grcic is one of the leading designers of and refines the construction and functionality of his objects our time. His work is characterized by an intensive in a lengthy development process. Inspirations from fine arts exploration of new materials and technologies, and film lend Grcic’s objects a highly individual, often un- but also by a keen interest in contemporary art conventional aura – at times unwieldy, at times poetic, at and future living. Many of Grcic’s creations, such times surreal and surprising. as Chair_One (2004) or the Mayday lamp (1999), Another important point of reference for Grcic’s works is the are already recognized as design classics. With history of design itself, such as when he reinterprets well- the exhibition «Konstantin Grcic – Panorama», the known classics with the Bench B seating system (2013) and is organizing the largest his OK lamp (2013). A particular source of fascination for Glove, vessel, Cor Unum, Konstantin Grcic, 2002 Missing Object, Galerie Kreo, Konstantin Grcic, 2004 Avus, club chair, Plank, Konstantin Grcic, 2011 Tom & Jerry, stool, Magis, Konstantin Grcic, 2011 solo exhibition on his work to date. It will be shown Grcic are past exhibitions on the future, such as «Visiona 2» by at the Vitra Design Museum from March through Verner Panton (1970) and the legendary exhibition «Italy – September 2014 along with subsequent presen- The New Domestic Landscape», which was shown at New tations at various museums worldwide. York’s in 1972. Such futuristic yet long past projects provide Grcic with inspiration for his own work: Konstantin Grcic began his career with training in cabinet which predictions have come true, which have gone making followed by design studies at the Royal College of unfulfilled? How can we today create similarly salient visions Art in . After a brief stint in the studio of the designer that reflect our collective expectations and hopes for the , he opened his own practice in in future? And what role can be played by design? Coup, tea set, Tomas Rosenthal, Konstantin Grcic, 2005 Tip, waste bin, Authentics, Konstantin Grcic, 2003 Dummy, Prototypes in PU-foam, Moroso, Konstantin Grcic, 2004 1991. In his studio, Grcic has since worked primarily as a designer of furniture, products and interiors in collaboration with such renowned clients as Authentics, BASF, ClassiCon, Emeco, Flos, Magis, , Nespresso, Plank and Vitra. The exhibition «Konstantin Grcic – Panorama» provides a com- prehensive overview of Grcic’s work and sheds light on his inspirations and work processes. At the same time, it is not a classic retrospective but an independent new design project: Grcic will be developing a number of spatial installations for the exhibition to render his personal visions for life in the future and place them in a broader intellectual context. This concept is closely linked with Grcic’s work approach. For him, design is the development of objects that become part of our future and must satisfy its needs and constraints – in everyday use as well as in social or ecological terms. At a time of crises and technological transformations, Grcic attempts to understand and improve our evolving living con- ditions with the ways and means of a designer. For each project, he closely examines the client’s technical know-how Konstantin Grcic, 2007 Chair_One, Magis, Konstantin Grcic, 2004 Mayday, lamp, Flos, Konstantin Grcic, 1999 Konstantin Grcic Panorama

Medici, side chair, Mattiazzi, Konstantin Grcic, 2012 Champions, table, Galerie Kreo, Konstantin Grcic, 2011

Diana A-F, side tables, ClassiCon, Konstantin Grcic, 2002 Myto, cantilever chair, Plank, Konstantin Grcic, 2008 Miura, bar stool, Plank, Konstantin Grcic, 2005

Konstantin Grcic is one of the leading designers of and refines the construction and functionality of his objects our time. His work is characterized by an intensive in a lengthy development process. Inspirations from fine arts exploration of new materials and technologies, and film lend Grcic’s objects a highly individual, often un- but also by a keen interest in contemporary art conventional aura – at times unwieldy, at times poetic, at and future living. Many of Grcic’s creations, such times surreal and surprising. as Chair_One (2004) or the Mayday lamp (1999), Another important point of reference for Grcic’s works is the are already recognized as design classics. With history of design itself, such as when he reinterprets well- the exhibition «Konstantin Grcic – Panorama», the known classics with the Bench B seating system (2013) and Vitra Design Museum is organizing the largest his OK lamp (2013). A particular source of fascination for Glove, vessel, Cor Unum, Konstantin Grcic, 2002 Missing Object, Galerie Kreo, Konstantin Grcic, 2004 Avus, club chair, Plank, Konstantin Grcic, 2011 Tom & Jerry, stool, Magis, Konstantin Grcic, 2011 solo exhibition on his work to date. It will be shown Grcic are past exhibitions on the future, such as «Visiona 2» by at the Vitra Design Museum from March through Verner Panton (1970) and the legendary exhibition «Italy – September 2014 along with subsequent presen- The New Domestic Landscape», which was shown at New tations at various museums worldwide. York’s Museum of Modern Art in 1972. Such futuristic yet long past projects provide Grcic with inspiration for his own work: Konstantin Grcic began his career with training in cabinet which predictions have come true, which have gone making followed by design studies at the Royal College of unfulfilled? How can we today create similarly salient visions Art in London. After a brief stint in the studio of the designer that reflect our collective expectations and hopes for the Jasper Morrison, he opened his own practice in Munich in future? And what role can be played by design? Coup, tea set, Tomas Rosenthal, Konstantin Grcic, 2005 Tip, waste bin, Authentics, Konstantin Grcic, 2003 Dummy, Prototypes in PU-foam, Moroso, Konstantin Grcic, 2004 1991. In his studio, Grcic has since worked primarily as a designer of furniture, products and interiors in collaboration with such renowned clients as Authentics, BASF, ClassiCon, Emeco, Flos, Magis, Muji, Nespresso, Plank and Vitra. The exhibition «Konstantin Grcic – Panorama» provides a com- prehensive overview of Grcic’s work and sheds light on his inspirations and work processes. At the same time, it is not a classic retrospective but an independent new design project: Grcic will be developing a number of spatial installations for the exhibition to render his personal visions for life in the future and place them in a broader intellectual context. This concept is closely linked with Grcic’s work approach. For him, design is the development of objects that become part of our future and must satisfy its needs and constraints – in everyday use as well as in social or ecological terms. At a time of crises and technological transformations, Grcic attempts to understand and improve our evolving living con- ditions with the ways and means of a designer. For each project, he closely examines the client’s technical know-how Konstantin Grcic, 2007 Chair_One, Magis, Konstantin Grcic, 2004 Mayday, lamp, Flos, Konstantin Grcic, 1999 Concept

The exhibition centres around three large installa- outlook on our future way of life by correlating utopian and tions dedicated to a key design theme: living and dystopian, enjoyable and disturbing narratives. The fourth and interiors, work and production, and the public final area of the exhibition contains an «Archive of Things», in space. Each of these areas is conceived as a stage- which a large number of Grcic’s previous works will be like scenario with which Grcic lays out his vision of shown, complemented by sketches, models, prototypes, his- the future for the respective theme. The installa- torical objects and found artefacts. Grcic’s oeuvre will be tions will feature existing designs, new objects, presented in a narrative sequence and investigated in found artefacts and archival documents, supple- regard to the influence of other objects and eras, culminat- mented by film material, background information ing in a forward-looking perspective – how will this body of and narrative fragments reflecting the potential works continue to develop? What can we learn about the life of an imaginary user in the various sections of creation and development of design to apply it even more the exhibition. Current debates such as those on effectively for our future? Design study for «Panorama» exhibition by Konstantin Grcic, «Work_Space» sustainability, open design and 3D printing are With its mix of retrospective and outlook, the exhibition further developed and examined in regard to their «Konstantin Grcic – Panorama» also ties in with the at- concrete impact – imparted through the work of tempts of the 1960 / 70s to imagine the future through de- the designer – on our future way of life. sign. Although we know today how easily such visions can fall short, the exhibition represents the position that such For the first area, Grcic creates an experimental habitat. The explorations of the future are more urgent than ever in light personal needs and aspirations placed on future living situ- of the many challenges faced by humanity. While past ations will be explored by means of a programmatic dwelling designers often placed an excessive faith in technology space with a central living platform that includes technical and expressed their belief in a «brave new world», Grcic is features and functions as a flexible, yet intimate enclosure. seeking more differentiated, contemporary images for our The second area will show the prototype of a design studio, future ways of life. Along with the driving force of positive from the technologies and machines employed up to the utopias, the exhibition also includes bleak, dystopian as- objects created. This section asks how design, craft and in- pects, associative images and narrative sequences. Grcic’s dustry will change and which repercussions this will have on look into a possible future is fragmented and contemplative the creation and form of our objects. The third area will take but also extraordinarily vivid. It takes shape as a collage a look at public spaces. An impressive panorama image of subjective visions and scientific forecasts, of reality and which is being developed for the exhibition shows realistic science fiction, of the many images, facts and opinions from and fictional scenes of city life, infrastructures and open which each of us today–designer or not–must distil his or landscape. This highly detailed image provides a manifold her own future. Design study for «Panorama» exhibition by Konstantin Grcic, «Life_Space» Design study for «Panorama» exhibition by Konstantin Grcic, «Public_Space» Concept

The exhibition centres around three large installa- outlook on our future way of life by correlating utopian and tions dedicated to a key design theme: living and dystopian, enjoyable and disturbing narratives. The fourth and interiors, work and production, and the public final area of the exhibition contains an «Archive of Things», in space. Each of these areas is conceived as a stage- which a large number of Grcic’s previous works will be like scenario with which Grcic lays out his vision of shown, complemented by sketches, models, prototypes, his- the future for the respective theme. The installa- torical objects and found artefacts. Grcic’s oeuvre will be tions will feature existing designs, new objects, presented in a narrative sequence and investigated in found artefacts and archival documents, supple- regard to the influence of other objects and eras, culminat- mented by film material, background information ing in a forward-looking perspective – how will this body of and narrative fragments reflecting the potential works continue to develop? What can we learn about the life of an imaginary user in the various sections of creation and development of design to apply it even more the exhibition. Current debates such as those on effectively for our future? Design study for «Panorama» exhibition by Konstantin Grcic, «Work_Space» sustainability, open design and 3D printing are With its mix of retrospective and outlook, the exhibition further developed and examined in regard to their «Konstantin Grcic – Panorama» also ties in with the at- concrete impact – imparted through the work of tempts of the 1960 / 70s to imagine the future through de- the designer – on our future way of life. sign. Although we know today how easily such visions can fall short, the exhibition represents the position that such For the first area, Grcic creates an experimental habitat. The explorations of the future are more urgent than ever in light personal needs and aspirations placed on future living situ- of the many challenges faced by humanity. While past ations will be explored by means of a programmatic dwelling designers often placed an excessive faith in technology space with a central living platform that includes technical and expressed their belief in a «brave new world», Grcic is features and functions as a flexible, yet intimate enclosure. seeking more differentiated, contemporary images for our The second area will show the prototype of a design studio, future ways of life. Along with the driving force of positive from the technologies and machines employed up to the utopias, the exhibition also includes bleak, dystopian as- objects created. This section asks how design, craft and in- pects, associative images and narrative sequences. Grcic’s dustry will change and which repercussions this will have on look into a possible future is fragmented and contemplative the creation and form of our objects. The third area will take but also extraordinarily vivid. It takes shape as a collage a look at public spaces. An impressive panorama image of subjective visions and scientific forecasts, of reality and which is being developed for the exhibition shows realistic science fiction, of the many images, facts and opinions from and fictional scenes of city life, infrastructures and open which each of us today–designer or not–must distil his or landscape. This highly detailed image provides a manifold her own future. Design study for «Panorama» exhibition by Konstantin Grcic, «Life_Space» Design study for «Panorama» exhibition by Konstantin Grcic, «Public_Space» Facts

Exhibition Space Contact 500 – 1000 m2 / 5.000 – 10.000 sq ft Vitra Design Museum Charles-Eames-Str. 2 Exhibits D-79576 Weil am Rhein The exhibition presents Grcic’s work – products, proto- www.design-museum.de types, models, sketches – and especially three-dimen- sional installations designed by Grcic visualising key Concept areas of our future life. Those are accompanied by refer - Mateo Kries ence works by the means of films, images and texts. Konstantin Grcic Design study for «Panorama» exhibition by Konstantin Grcic, «Archive of Things» Jan Boelen Dates Vitra Design Museum: 29. March – 14. September 2014 Janna Lipsky The exhibition will tour internationally from 2014 until Associate Curator 2018. T +49.7621.702.3722 [email protected] Catalogue An extensive catalogue is being published with essays Tour about Grcic’s work and more general texts discussing Reiner Packeiser our future way of life, with a visual collage of the exhibi- Head of the Exhibition Department tion and a catalogue raisonné. T +49.7621.702.3729 [email protected] Supporting programme The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive event An exhibition of the Vitra Design Museum and Z33, Hasselt programme including talks, workshops and a variety of special events.

Credits © Åke E:son Lindman (Image 1) © KGID, photo: Markus Jans (Image 2) © KGID (Image 3,6 – 7,10,14,16 – 19) © KGID, photo: Gerhard Kellermann (Image 4) © KGID, photo: Fabrice Gousset (Image 5) © KGID, photo: Florian Böhm (Image 8,12 – 13,15,20) © Marc DOMAGE Courtesy Galerie Kreo (Image 9) © KGID, photo: Tom Vack (Image 11) Facts

Exhibition Space Contact 500 – 1000 m2 / 5.000 – 10.000 sq ft Vitra Design Museum Charles-Eames-Str. 2 Exhibits D-79576 Weil am Rhein The exhibition presents Grcic’s work – products, proto- www.design-museum.de types, models, sketches – and especially three-dimen- sional installations designed by Grcic visualising key Concept areas of our future life. Those are accompanied by refer - Mateo Kries ence works by the means of films, images and texts. Konstantin Grcic Design study for «Panorama» exhibition by Konstantin Grcic, «Archive of Things» Jan Boelen Dates Vitra Design Museum: 29. March – 14. September 2014 Janna Lipsky The exhibition will tour internationally from 2014 until Associate Curator 2018. T +49.7621.702.3722 [email protected] Catalogue An extensive catalogue is being published with essays Tour about Grcic’s work and more general texts discussing Reiner Packeiser our future way of life, with a visual collage of the exhibi- Head of the Exhibition Department tion and a catalogue raisonné. T +49.7621.702.3729 [email protected] Supporting programme The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive event An exhibition of the Vitra Design Museum and Z33, Hasselt programme including talks, workshops and a variety of special events.

Credits © Åke E:son Lindman (Image 1) © KGID, photo: Markus Jans (Image 2) © KGID (Image 3,6 – 7,10,14,16 – 19) © KGID, photo: Gerhard Kellermann (Image 4) © KGID, photo: Fabrice Gousset (Image 5) © KGID, photo: Florian Böhm (Image 8,12 – 13,15,20) © Marc DOMAGE Courtesy Galerie Kreo (Image 9) © KGID, photo: Tom Vack (Image 11) «Design is the adventure of not exactly knowing what a given creative process will yield. I refuse to have any preconceived notions of functionality, any preconceived ideas of comfort and beauty. I want to understand how design is connected to life. The fact that life is not perfect makes it all the more interesting; it is therefore all right if products are a bit unruly. My designs do not immediately reveal themselves. They do what they are designed to do, are functional, but at the same time, and implicitly, they question their own functionality and call upon the user to do likewise.» Konstantin Grcic

Charles-Eames-Str. 2 D-79576 Weil am Rhein Vitra T +49.7621.702.3200 Design www.design-museum.de Museum