adrien de melo at galerie BSL

adrien de melo at galerie BSL‘bench’ of the stripe collection by adrien de melo H/45 x L/155 x P/W 32-42 cm, signed and numbered pieces, galerie BSL edition of 8 + 1 prototype image © designboom

adrien de melo galerie BSL, paris on now until november 12th, 2011

french designer adrien de melo, presents his first solo exhibition of 7 limited edition pieces at galerie BSL in paris. de melo explores the concept of nature in true and altered forms by means of stacked wood within his furniture design for ‘sliced table’ and the ‘stripes collection’. onyx, ceramic and wood comprise each of the objects of the collection. 

ideas of earthen sedimentation, geology and historical stratification help dictate the layered form of the striped collection. the stool, bench and coffee table of the striped works is the center point of de melo’s exhibition. the base unit for every piece within the stripe collection are heavy, tapered and disproportional tree trunk-like forms made from 30 layers of solid wood composed of three different species. ‘stripes, bench’ is formed from american cherry, wenge and light ash. american cherry,  wenge, american walnut and/or light ash is comprise the stool of ‘stripes’ collection. ‘stripes, coffee table’ is made from american cherry, wenge and american walnut, white onyx.

‘stools’ of the striped collection H/45 x L/37 x P/W 37 cm, signed and numbered pieces, galerie BSL edition of 10 + 1 prototype image courtesy of galerie BSL/adrien de melo

‘sliced table’ H/77 x L/250 x P/W 110 cm, signed and numbered pieces, galerie BSL edition of 8 + 1 prototype image courtesy of galerie BSL/adrien de melo

the ‘sliced table’ resembles the patterning of honeycomb with the use of segments from american cherry and walnut, oak, wenge, african mahogany, dark and light ash, steamed beech and canadian maple. the base is crafted  from brushed aluminum in order deter the vision of the observer from dwelling on the legs, highlighting the cabinetmaking skills of the designer. the table is 250cm long in and represents a sort of forest landscape,  the varied color and form of each wooden segment are inform the gallery patron of deforestation in addition to a more general appreciation of the wood.

detailed view of ‘sliced table’ image courtesy of galerie BSL/adrien de melo

solo exhibition by adrien de melo at galerie BSL, paris image © designboom

adrien de melo image © designboom

‘throne’ chair by adrien de melo image © designboom