italian-born dutch-based design duo formafantasma (andrea trimarchi and simone farresin) present a four
new projects for different clients - nodus, dilmos, flat design and plart foundation - exhibited at various venues
on the occasion of milan design week 2011.


left: 'botanica' a commision by plart foundation
right: 'migration' for nodus rug

commissioned by the naples-based plart foundation the studio was asked to create their own interpretation
of polymeric materials. the result is 'botanica', an homage to plastic materials by investigating the history of polymers
on show at spazio rossana orlandi.

considered to be one of the oldest sciences, botany began with early human efforts to identify edible, medicinal
and poisonous plants. over two centuries ago plants also began to be categorized for their secretions,
which was seen as a possible source of material. the objects of the 'botanica' collection were designed as if the
oil-based era that we are currently living in, never took place. through their research, studio formafantasma investigated the
pre-bakelite period, looking at the 18th and 19th centuries when scientists began experimenting draining plants
and animals in search for plasticitiy. discovering unexpected textures, feelings and technical possibilities that are offered
by natural polymers extracted from plants or animal-derivatives.

bois durci (a 19th century material composed of wood dust and animal blood), copal (sub-fossil state of amber),
dammar, natural rubber, rosin, shellac (polymer extracted from insect excrement that colonize trees) were some of the
other materials formafantasma looked at during their investigation. the organic details and plant-like forms of the pieces
underline the vegetal and animal origins of the resins, while the palette of colors is based on natural amber tones
in combination with traditional materials such as wood, ceramic and metal.

the varying textures and warm honey-like hues of the resins evoke the memory of 20th century bakelite objects,
however the finish and details are somewhat archaic yet contemporary. in this project, plastics are used as precious details,
in an attempt to develop a new post-industrial aesthetic.

today, we can be said to be moving towards a new post-oil era, the pre-oil era is starting to be globally re-discovered
in search for alternatives. online blogs and archives are constantly collating and updating information,
challenging consumers to produce their own plastics while an american university is currently importing
russian dandelion flowers, reigniting the lost tradition of extracting rubber from the plants roots. following this attitude,
formafantasma looks to the past as a starting point, offering a new perspective on plasticity, reinterpreting centuries old
technology lost beneath the surface of mass production.

italian rug-making brand nodus invites international designers to give their personal interpretation of the oldest traditions
and techniques in carpet making. for their collaboration 'migration', studio formafantasma has worked with needlepoint
to produce three rugs, each entirely made by hand in portugal, with an average embroidery time of a carpet per month.

reacting to the idealized representation of nature found in 18th  century rococo decors filled with romantic roses
and perfectly symmetrical leaves, the studio has developed floor coverings that force nature into mans image,
drawing on the work of 19th century ornithologist jan james audubon, who is most well known for his
scientific categorization of birds.

the final designs, feature three giant birds seem to be trapped in the moment, flying on the surface of the rugs.
each piece is composed as an out-of-scale garment, finished with wooden buttons which is meant to be a
reference to the fine needle point technique used both in tapestry, and to embroider clothes.
here formafantasma suggests a new type of romanticism, expressing the most ancient of human desires:
to migrate towards the new and unknown, while relaxing upon a carpet of beautifully embroidered feathers.



'domestica' for dilmos

'domestica' is a low chair designed by formafantasma for dilmos gallery in which the studio has looked
to rural craft and its archetypes as a starting point. the design references the gerla basket,
a container that is worn like a backpack which farmers use to collect cereals. 'domestica' cites a small stool
used as a support to help take off the gerla basket once it is full. the seating object appears as the result
of a natural gesture, as if the basket is hung on the back of a chair, and as time passes, the two objects
are fused together. linking this extra function of containing to the seat,  studio formafantasma transform
the low chair into an intimate environment, almost a nest. the undefined functionality of 'domestica'
invites the user to invent new gestures and rituals.


'harvesting nature' for flat design

in collaboration with flat design, studio formafantasma was invited to develop a line of tableclothes,
runners and drapes in 100 percent linen that has been embroidered onto the textile surfaces.
their design draws on the harvest and exhibits imagery of grains which is a continuation of their exploration into
local culture and industry.