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In the era of shopping for social responsibility, one can buy T-shirts for cancer and jeans for HIV/Aids, support the training of guide dogs by using cellphones and contribute to environmental causes by withdrawing money. Now environmental design studio Orange 22 in Los Angeles have launched the Botanist Blank Canvas Project, which raises money for charity through the retail of high-end outdoor furniture.
Debuting in 2007, the original Botanist collection was conceived of by Dario Antonioni. The versatile collection of sleek, minimalist furniture is made from a single sheet of curved metal and includes a cocktail table, end table and bench. Thus keeping the basic design simple and standardised, Antonioni has kept production costs to a minimum. Simple ornamentation, surface patterns and finishing treatments then enhance the products in a number of ways.
Yves Béhar, Margo Chase, Milton Glaser, Kahi Lee, Karim Rashid, Joe Ricchio, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, and Claude Zellweger were each invited to add their own unique spin to the Blank Canvas pieces. The designers' royalties, which were lower than normal, were then matched with a donation to a charity of the designer's choice.
