8′ 33″ Takes Part in Scenes From the Near Future

Good things happen when great talent comes together for the greater good. In this case, Alejandra Gandía-Blasco joined Rocío Gambín and OiKo Design to create a set of nomadic, sustainable, open-design furniture for the Scenes From the Near Future exhibition. The show, curated by design journalist Tachy Mora, is on display at the CCCC Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània through March 19, 2023. The overarching theme reflects on the changes that homes could possibly undergo in years to come. Projects revolve around five concepts: flexibility, multi-functionality, modularity, nomadism, and sustainability. Included in the show is the trio’s contribution: 8′ 33″.

The collection’s name, 8′ 33″ (8 minutes and 33 seconds) is equal to 500 seconds – the time it takes to assemble the entire collection. The set of nomadic, sustainable furniture was designed and produced by A-R-O, what the collaborative team dubbed themselves for the project. A-R-O comprises Alejandra Gandía-Blasco and Rocío Gambín, engineer and designer of the technical office of Gandia Blasco Group, and OiKo Design, the Barcelona studio of José F. López-Aguilar and Salva Codinach.

Gandía-Blasco noted that they’re invested in “more than beautiful and well-made things, I’m interested in ideas and experiences.” The concept of designing basic domestic pieces for those with a nomadic lifestyle first popped into Gandía-Blasco’s mind in 2016 at the Bauhaus Summer School Bernau given by Thomas Lommée, the driving force behind the open grid design system, OpenStructures. Afterwards, Gambín helped co-design 8′ 33″, making it easy to assemble and disassemble through the use of a snap-fit system that complies with Lommée’s grid.

OiKo Design, which specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of recycled materials from waste, entered during the development process. A surface inspired by different types of marble and its grains was created for 8′ 33″. It uses recycled detergent and soap bottles, which are crushed, washed, extruded, and pressed to make the sheets from which the seats, the table, the storage, the wastepaper basket, and the lectern are constructed from. A CNC machine trims the pieces down to size and voila, snap the furniture together and you’re done! Break the piece of furniture you just put together back down again just as easily.

To learn more about the 8′ 33″ collection or Scenes From the Near Future, visit consorcimuseus.gva.es. The show will remain open through March 19, 2023.

Source: design-milk