Whereas for Adam and Eve toil was part of the punishment they had to endure after their banishment from paradise, for today’s well-to-do class, work has become a pleasant pastime compounded with a heaping portion of self-fulfillment and joy.
Not surprising, then, that work-areas and many machines for this target group are designed to meet the highest of ergonomic and aesthetic standards. With their latest collection, Italy’s Marsotto Edizioni picks up on this trend by bringing work areas and the noble material marble together – „Working on Marble“ is the title of the collection.
Stone leaves its traditional application in the area of beaux-arts and savoir-vivre to descent to the depths of every-day life. Of course the target group is not the citizen of limited financial means, but rather consumers for whom money is no object.
In essence, „Working on Marble“ is all about working tables, e.g. „Keyboard“ by Kostantin Gricic: the table can be pivoted to adapt to the number of work-areas required and the angles at which they are to be positioned relative to one another.
„Keyboard“ is, to a certain extent, reminiscent of an ironing board as is desired by designers: perhaps it is necessary to banish a wrinkle or two from a blouse or shirt after unpacking.
„Rendezvous“ by Philippe Nigro emulates a reception table.
The office or living-room furniture can double as a davenport or high-desk for public address.
„Toio“ is the name Marialaura Rossiello Irvine and Maddalena Casadei of Studio Irvine gave their desk suitable also for use as a music stand. The make-up table with detachable mirror goes by the name of „Isa“.
Some people pass the greater part of the day part-taking in conferences. Naoto Fukasawa has designed a table by the name of „Agorà“ which can be assembled out of a number of single pieces.
The unusual hybrids will surely awaken the interest of the cultural industry.
„Arena“ is the name Jasper Morrison gave his table.
And, last but not least, „Mate“ by Ross Lovegrove: what with the present crossover between work and leisure, he developed a piece of furniture for chess: think and stay fit for work.
As usual, company owners Constanza and Mario Marsotto worked closely with Studio Irvine in the role of curator. Its founder James Irvine had passed away in 2013.
The natural stone used is Carrara Marble with matt polished surfaces. Except for the chess-console which is hollow, all pieces are massive.
Photos: Miro Zagnoli
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(27.06.2014, USA: 06.27.2014)
