laikingland: function with tord boontje, atelier ted noten and atelierNL

the netherlands and UK-based laikingland presents ‘function’ at milan design week 2011 at the ventura lambrate district of the city. investigating function as the unexpected activity for which kinetic objects are employed, the exhibition features new contributions from UK-based designer tord boontje, eindhoven-based atelierNL and amsterdam-based atelier ted noten.

atelier ted noten’s jewellery box

atelier ted noten’s jewellery box houses a robot arm that protects and presents a magical ring within.

a clock by atelierNL

atelierNL invites viewers to tell their story in 50 different languages via the form of a clock.

doorbell by tord boontje that produces a cacophony of sound and movement

through the gap in the shutters, I can see him coming up the path, he is past the gate already. quick, can I hide? why, would I? should I not be glad that he is coming? what if…

too late, I can see his hand reaching out for the buzzer, I know I have only a few seconds left.

the finger presses the button, the wireless connection is made, I look up at the ceiling.

the hammer on wheels is released, with hesitation it starts to move along the fine metal wire track. it picks up speed and rushes down the first steep slope of the track, it crashes into a steel watering can, bang. without slowing down the hammer keeps moving towards a glass bottle, the sound of impact is a glassy ping. onwards through the steep corners towards the dried leaves, the doll, the tin can, crush thump ting and finally heading towards the bell, where it ends with a loud clang.

although, it does not quite end there, the weight of the hammer now tips the balance of the precariously hung track and the whole thing starts to tilt over. slowly the hammer on wheels starts to move again, exploring new forces of gravity. giving in to a new sliding motion as the track changes shape again and the hammer reaches it’s starting point again where it comes to rest. the noise, the cacophony is still echoing through the house, while I wait for him to press the buzzer again.’ – tord boontje.