Part of the Project
The Most Beautiful Object in South Africa finalists have been chosen and the decision now lies in your vote. The 12 finalists will be exhibiting their entries at Design Indaba Expo 2010 from 24 to 26 February, so come along to the Cape Town International Convention Centre and send a SMS to help judge a beauty contest like no other.
Beauty is not about colour, size, shape or texture. It is not about luxury, social significance or sustainability. What makes something beautiful is that its beauty cannot be defined. Design Indaba’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa (MBOISA) celebrates our diverse country’s ability to find beauty in life’s everyday things. The question is not “What is beautiful?” but “What is beautiful to you?”
So what will our country decide? What is beautiful to you? Is it the simplistic, minimalist and definable or is it the unexplainable, the breath taking and indescribable that will succeed in being named the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa? Members of the public can vote on what is beautiful to them by visiting Design Indaba Expo, viewing the objects in question, and sending an SMS.
It gives us great pleasure to announce the MBOISA finalists for 2010.
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Frank Bohm Studio: Frank Bohm The W-Table is a coming together of form, structure and geometry to realise a sense of harmony. Through the use of detailed cutting of the diamond shape, each arm is made of Paduk, a West African hardwood. Topped with glass, the relationship between design and superb craftsmanship truly becomes evident. SMS “MBOISA 1” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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Snapp Design: Jonathan Fundudis Inspired by the ambient light reflected by the earth’s atmosphere when illuminated by the sun, the Twi-light Table Lamp is encased in a simplified, organic form. With a gentle push of the top cap, a glowing chromatic surface is revealed, illuminating a mysteriously obscure light source from within. SMS “MBOISA 2” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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ALPACAFelt: Jan Jamieson This 3-D sculptural vessel was made using the meticulous process of transforming natural fibres into a fabric using a variety of wet felting techniques. Using hand dyed alpaca fleece and merino sheep wool, the vessel was moulded with the fibres entwined to create individual characteristics as the different coloured layers merged. SMS “MBOISA 3” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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Anatomy Design Created out of a fascination with utilitarian equipment, the Lab Light exists on the borders of engineering and design, using the functionality of laboratory equipment and harnessing the beauty within it. Constructed out of black steel and solid spun brass, this object portrays functional aesthetic with a touch of nostalgia. SMS “MBOISA 4” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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1010 Creative: Darren Lyon Studies suggest that affirmations and mantras could have an effect on our emotional, spiritual and even physical well being. The Love coffee table works with the power of positive words and the beauty of calligraphy to produce thought-provoking design through visual imagery. SMS “MBOISA 5” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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Haldane Martin Using a highly complex form derived from the Weaire-Phelan structure, the Polyhedra Modular Coffee Table System is made up of interlocking dodecahedrons and tetra-decahedrons. Magnets hold these shapes together and allow for users to engage playfully with the design by creating their own uniquely-shaped coffee table. SMS “MBOISA 6” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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David Krut Publishing A look into the history of the Handspring Puppet Company, this beautiful book draws on 30 years of drawings, designs and photographs. It documents the stories behind the company through award-winning essays and displays recent productions including the War Horse at the National Theatre in London. SMS “MBOISA 7” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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Khumbulani Craft Design is about interpreting something individually that is often seen only as a group and that is the inspiration behind the contemporary design of this traditional beer pot. Luhle, meaning “beautiful” in Zulu, conveys the beauty in combining tradition with the contemporary, and the individuals’ passion in the creative process. SMS “MBOISA 8” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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Emma Anne Jewellery Through the use of structured geometric patterns and a light organic design, the Flow Ring becomes an object demonstrating fluidity. Using folding metal combined with coloured resin, the piece is given a sense of serenity as light is able to filter through the inexpensive material producing an array of colours and casting captivating shadows. SMS “MBOISA 9” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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Tsai Design Studio As the name illustrates, the Ostrich Barstool is based on the experience of riding one of these flightless birds in the small town of Oudtshoorn. Using elegantly shaped steel legs based on the ostrich’s body-to-leg ratio, round rock cushions made of wool felt are used to emulate the sensation of sitting on the back of these softly-featured animals. SMS “MBOISA 10” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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Urban Africa Using the foundations of circular geometrics, The Tulip is a shoulder bag with a twist. Depending on your mood and how eccentric you feel, you can either wear it open or closed, portraying a tulip in its stages of life. SMS “MBOISA 11” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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DK: David Krynauw As the world aims to go greener, the Wooden Chandelier exemplifies eco-friendly and innovative sustainability through the use of seemingly worthless materials. By salvaging trees cut down through tree felling, a “ball” of light is formed using Jacaranda timber with the shades varying in size depending on which part of the tree has been used. SMS “MBOISA 12” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
The Most Beautiful Object in South Africa finalists have been chosen and the decision now lies in your vote. The 12 finalists will be exhibiting their entries at Design Indaba Expo 2010 from 24 to 26 February, so come along to the Cape Town International Convention Centre and send a SMS to help judge a beauty contest like no other.
Beauty is not about colour, size, shape or texture. It is not about luxury, social significance or sustainability. What makes something beautiful is that its beauty cannot be defined. Design Indaba’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa (MBOISA) celebrates our diverse country’s ability to find beauty in life’s everyday things. The question is not “What is beautiful?” but “What is beautiful to you?”
So what will our country decide? What is beautiful to you? Is it the simplistic, minimalist and definable or is it the unexplainable, the breath taking and indescribable that will succeed in being named the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa? Members of the public can vote on what is beautiful to them by visiting Design Indaba Expo, viewing the objects in question, and sending an SMS.
It gives us great pleasure to announce the MBOISA finalists for 2010.
|
Frank Bohm Studio: Frank Bohm The W-Table is a coming together of form, structure and geometry to realise a sense of harmony. Through the use of detailed cutting of the diamond shape, each arm is made of Paduk, a West African hardwood. Topped with glass, the relationship between design and superb craftsmanship truly becomes evident. SMS “MBOISA 1” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
|
|
Snapp Design: Jonathan Fundudis Inspired by the ambient light reflected by the earth’s atmosphere when illuminated by the sun, the Twi-light Table Lamp is encased in a simplified, organic form. With a gentle push of the top cap, a glowing chromatic surface is revealed, illuminating a mysteriously obscure light source from within. SMS “MBOISA 2” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
|
|
ALPACAFelt: Jan Jamieson This 3-D sculptural vessel was made using the meticulous process of transforming natural fibres into a fabric using a variety of wet felting techniques. Using hand dyed alpaca fleece and merino sheep wool, the vessel was moulded with the fibres entwined to create individual characteristics as the different coloured layers merged. SMS “MBOISA 3” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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|
Anatomy Design Created out of a fascination with utilitarian equipment, the Lab Light exists on the borders of engineering and design, using the functionality of laboratory equipment and harnessing the beauty within it. Constructed out of black steel and solid spun brass, this object portrays functional aesthetic with a touch of nostalgia. SMS “MBOISA 4” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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|
1010 Creative: Darren Lyon Studies suggest that affirmations and mantras could have an effect on our emotional, spiritual and even physical well being. The Love coffee table works with the power of positive words and the beauty of calligraphy to produce thought-provoking design through visual imagery. SMS “MBOISA 5” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
|
|
Haldane Martin Using a highly complex form derived from the Weaire-Phelan structure, the Polyhedra Modular Coffee Table System is made up of interlocking dodecahedrons and tetra-decahedrons. Magnets hold these shapes together and allow for users to engage playfully with the design by creating their own uniquely-shaped coffee table. SMS “MBOISA 6” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
|
|
David Krut Publishing A look into the history of the Handspring Puppet Company, this beautiful book draws on 30 years of drawings, designs and photographs. It documents the stories behind the company through award-winning essays and displays recent productions including the War Horse at the National Theatre in London. SMS “MBOISA 7” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
|
|
Khumbulani Craft Design is about interpreting something individually that is often seen only as a group and that is the inspiration behind the contemporary design of this traditional beer pot. Luhle, meaning “beautiful” in Zulu, conveys the beauty in combining tradition with the contemporary, and the individuals’ passion in the creative process. SMS “MBOISA 8” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
|
|
Emma Anne Jewellery Through the use of structured geometric patterns and a light organic design, the Flow Ring becomes an object demonstrating fluidity. Using folding metal combined with coloured resin, the piece is given a sense of serenity as light is able to filter through the inexpensive material producing an array of colours and casting captivating shadows. SMS “MBOISA 9” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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|
Tsai Design Studio As the name illustrates, the Ostrich Barstool is based on the experience of riding one of these flightless birds in the small town of Oudtshoorn. Using elegantly shaped steel legs based on the ostrich’s body-to-leg ratio, round rock cushions made of wool felt are used to emulate the sensation of sitting on the back of these softly-featured animals. SMS “MBOISA 10” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
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|
Urban Africa Using the foundations of circular geometrics, The Tulip is a shoulder bag with a twist. Depending on your mood and how eccentric you feel, you can either wear it open or closed, portraying a tulip in its stages of life. SMS “MBOISA 11” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
|
|
DK: David Krynauw As the world aims to go greener, the Wooden Chandelier exemplifies eco-friendly and innovative sustainability through the use of seemingly worthless materials. By salvaging trees cut down through tree felling, a “ball” of light is formed using Jacaranda timber with the shades varying in size depending on which part of the tree has been used. SMS “MBOISA 12” TO 34180. (R2 per SMS) |
