designboom hosts zanat lockdown dialogues daily on instagram live

zanat ‘lockdown dialogues project: designed @ home 4 home’ debuts a special collection of small objects created during our time of self-containment and contemplation during the COVID-19 pandemic. the items range from playful candle holders to highly tactile bowls and hold-alls. each one was the result of meaningful, inspiring and emotional conversations between zanat and an international curation of designers, all of whom have previously collaborated with the artisanal furniture brand.

fittingly, the designers – including jean-marie massaud, studioilse (ilse crawford and oscar pena), ludovica + roberto palomba, sebastian herkner, and monica forster – share their lockdown dialogues over the internet once again with zanat and designboom, specifically on instagram. live at 5pm CET daily from november 30 to december 4 2020, rewatch the talks, here.

(main image: the ‘aurora’ candle holders, by ludovica + roberto palomba, add warmth and coziness to a dinner table or any other corner of one’s home. they sit atop the ‘koba’ dining table, designed by jean-marie massaud, launched summer 2020)

the inspiration behind zanat’s ‘lockdown dialogues’ project was beautifully simple; the collection needed to encompass small objects that were designed at home for the home. it did, however, present a much more challenging set of questions to the designers. these ranged from issues surrounding sustainability in terms of material and production to the fundamental needs of designing for our home, such as creating empathy with an item. the creators engaged with one another, the brand, and their collaborators over the internet during the height of the pandemic to explore ideas, all while safely sheltered inside. these circumstances made even the majority of us rethink the meaning of home, and the designers were no different. 

the ‘stonehenge’ stool, designed by ludovica + roberto palomba, was inspired by ancient forms that speak directly to our deeply rooted sense of home

the resulting collection of objects can be treasured for a lifetime, before being passed on as heirlooms. the key to this longevity is the traditional craftsmanship at the heart of zanat. the brand was founded with the mission of working with extraordinarily talented designers and craftsmen to create products equally exemplary of innovation and quality. in fact, the konjic woodcarving technique used for their pieces and practiced for four generations in the niksic family, zanat owners, was inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2017. the latest collection continues to highlight the important role craftsmanship plays in creating emotion. each and every object preserves and promotes this traditional artisan, all whilst made with sustainable natural materials.

the ‘piano’ folding tables, designed by ludovica + roberto palomba, combine an ikea-like convenience with artisan craft

presenting the zanat ‘lockdown dialogues’ project, designboom talks with the designers as they introduce their creations as well as share experiences of the unique design process. tune into designboom on instagram, here, live at 5pm CET daily from november 30 to december 4. see below for the full schedule.

• jean-marie massaud, november at 5pm CET
• studioilse (ilse crawford and oscar peña), december 1 at 5pm CET
• ludovica + roberto palomba, december 2 at 5pm CET
• sebastian herkner, december 3 at 5pm CET
• monica förster, december 4 at 5pm CET

by ludovica + roberto palomba, the play & burn’ candle holders aim to connect buyers with designers, craftsman and materials

the ‘touch’ bowls and food platters, by studioilse, add tactility to the experience of cooking and eating at home

the ‘eclipse’ wall mirrors, by monica förster, come in three different sizes and shapes to create numerous artistic installations

the ‘kioko’ boxes, designed by jean-marie massaud, were created to be as quality in design, material and craftsmanship as the objects we treasure inside

minimalist design and fine craftsmanship combine to create the versatile ‘kioko’ trays, designed by jean-marie massaud, that can be used for carrying or for a game of chess

the hand carved ‘mati’ trays, designed by sebastian herkner, become even more special with optional carvings on the inside

project info

brand: zanat

project: lockdown dialogues

designers: jean-marie massaud, studioilse (ilse crawford and oscar peña), ludovica + roberto palomba, sebastian herkner, and monica förster