The Undefined Object works as a topic for the lecture and the works realized during the Keep in Touch symposium in Dubí, Czech Republic in late summer 2016 on different levels, describing a working philosophy and a way of approaching the hand work with the porcelain in a processual way, reacting on and respecting the needs and information given by the material itself while working with it.

Plaster moulds for the work with porcelain are normally highly defined and follow a fixed process from a predefined model positive to a plaster negative to a final piece to be finished and burned. I am interested in trying to modify and stress this process towards the open in order to be able to work in a way going into the process without knowing already the exact result.

For the series Naïve Joint, the connection detail becomes important and visible being one of the main characteristics of the design. Simple cylindrical moulds of different diameters and heights are cut into slices and parts and reconnected to form containers with handles, knobs or spouts.

Working in a surrounding of the classical porcelain manufactory of Czech in Dubí, famous for its blue and white “Zwiebelmuster” decoration, I decided to play with the color aspect for the joint and keep it rough and visible by just dipping the parts in blue porcelain for a glue-like connection detail.

The resulting series of objects reflects on the high perfection of traditional Czech porcelain production versus rough openness, possible playfulness and uniqueness, with the aspect of handwork involved during the manufacturing process and an ornament resulting from the attempt to make the working process visible.

The work with color pigment in porcelain has a crucial problem: what to do with the “waste” or leftover, what if the colours start to mix and get “dirty”? The series Fade, Splash and Spot simply make this problem their decoration detail:

Fade is a series of containers with different diameters and heights keeping the same volume. The smallest container is poured with a high concentration of color pigment. The other containers follow, being mixed with fresh white porcelain, resulting in a fade from dark to lighter blue.

Splash decorates large simple plates with splatters of the leftover colored material and Spot disclaims the use of any mould being poured directly on the surface just the way it flows by itself.

These objects represent a thoughtful way of dealing with resources, leftover, mistakes and spots and the possible recognition of their beauty.

I am interested in the definition of objects and the way we encounter and read them. By slightly changing the usual form and predefined use of an everyday object such as a plate, bowl or cup, the attention of the user arouses in a playful way. Of course, the function should not be disturbed by that intervention; i am interested though in the relationship the user starts to find himself in with the object by reading and understanding, maybe laughing or wondering. Being used to live in a world surrounded by objects and losing knowledge for the processes behind the things and consciousness through material, cultural or personal value, I am trying to induce an appropriate relationship with objects.
Regarding tableware, I am interested in a series rather than the single piece as the series can represent a concept in a bigger context and objects start to interact with each other.

The Undefined Object wants to uncover the beauty of a section, a slice, a tile, a segment and their combination. We are used to using highly defined objects for one special use – whereas less defined, they could be seen as a stock of possibilities to use, combine and work with applying them for various purposes. An active role of the user is proposing the possibility of being part and influencing our surrounding and the way we live in it.

The Quarter Bowls consist of quarter and half sections of a whole bowl. The single sections can be used separately or together for fruits or the different components of a common meal.

The series consists of quarter and half bowls in different sizes and colors. They are made from glazed porcellain.

One of the strongest Impressions coming across in the old “Meisterhäuser” of historic Bauhaus Dessau is the relation between colour, space and light and the evolving imaginary.

As a part of the „Construisine“ Project, the Klee Stool is one of the results of a three months study about the handling and possible future use of the historic masters houses.

Made from lacquered wood.

The Quarter Bin describes the sections of a whole bin. The single sections can be used separately or being held together by the inserted magnets.

An modular bin with compartments,for the home or the office, suitable for separating paper, tins and plastic.
The bins are made from powder-coated sheet metal.

produced by Discipline

The idea for “Hockerbank” came up when I was researching both theoretically and practically about the theme of improvisational solutions. The practical situation of missing seats and its spontaneous solving by assembling stools and planks are the origin of the concept for “Hockerbank”. This interest in accessible solutions gives rise to the aesthetic of the assemblage, using and combining different materials or surfaces, leading to a yet homogenous but living ensemble.

The series consists of several stools, which are supplemented by a plank with round cut-outs; and round tables, which can be transformed, in the same manner, into a long table.

Hockerbank recieved a special mention of the Lucky Strike Junior Design Award 2011 and the NWW Design Award 2012.

produced by Neue Wiener Werkstätte
shown at Gallery S. Bensimon

The lampshades made from Eternit, colored glass and ceramics allow to be piled up on a bulb socket through their slot. In three different sizes and forms they can be used to vary the light quality. Manufactured by Eternit AG, KAHLA GmbH and Harzkristall.

In cooperation with Dominik Hehl

The idea for “Hockerbank” came up when I was researching both theoretically and practically about the theme of improvisational solutions. The practical situation of missing seats and its spontaneous solving by assembling stools and planks are the origin of the concept for “Hockerbank”. This interest in accessible solutions gives rise to the aesthetic of the assemblage, using and combining different materials or surfaces, leading to a yet homogenous but living ensemble.

The series consists of several stools, which are supplemented by a plank with round cut-outs; and round tables, which can be transformed, in the same manner, into a long table.

Hockerbank recieved a special mention of the Lucky Strike Junior Design Award 2011 and the NWW Design Award 2012.

produced by Neue Wiener Werkstätte.

The „Drathbank“ (= wire-bench) consists of metal frames of a stool, a chair and a table which are completed by the user combining them with ones preferred material; planks, boards, old wooden panels… The bench allows for many variations and asks for the users involvement.

steel wire, powder coated, PVC feet, different wood.

The “Kleiderstiele” (=clothing-sticks) constitute a simple form of a coat rack, just leaning against the wall.

pine wood / oach wood oiled.

produced by Raumgestalt

Also inspired by make-shift situations, the “Wandwinkel” (= wall angles), composed by a sideboard and a mirror, require only the correct inclination and the support of a wall.

Glass Carafs for 1 Liter, 1/2 Liter and 1/4 Liter
Prototype

Playing with the habits of hanging, order and chaos.

The hook itself becomes a hook again.

Two coathangers as a Silhouette of a Jesus and a cross.

with Christoffer Martens
for pulpo