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THE INVISIBLES. HISTORIC FURNITURE FROM A CONTEMPORARY DESIGN PERSPECTIVE.
THE INVISIBLES. HISTORIC FURNITURE FROM A CONTEMPORARY DESIGN PERSPECTIVE
MUSEUM OF APPLIED ARTS AND DESIGN
LITHUANIA
24 MARCH - 31 DECEMBER 2022
This exhibition has been named 'The Invisibles' since it is dedicated to historical furniture and forgotten objects that have been kept in Lithuanian museums and only historians, curators and restorers have access to. These objects from different periods and styles contrast deeply with works created by contemporary designers nowadays. Therefore, the main source of inspiration for "The Invisibles" has been the value and memories behind the objects, which portrays the history of Lithuania.
With the help of restorers, curators and historian Dr. Eglė Bagušinskaitė, a great amount of historical information about the objects preserved in the museum's vaults was collected. Setting the objects in a historical context allowed for a more personal perspective, making connections about time, materials and evolving technologies. Historical research will help to expand the stored information and fulfill the purpose of the exhibition: to bring to the surface the power and possibilities of the "hidden objects" that have been indispensable in everyday life in other times. The aim is also to raise awareness about the functioning and characteristics of this antique furniture, as well as its restoration process and the culture of interior design in Lithuania’s history.
Parallel to the hidden historical gems, works created by contemporary designers were on display, which encouraged the viewer to see the connections and evolution of ideas over time. On display are works by the Natyvai wood studio, the Išora x Lozuraitis architectural studio, architect Ieva Baranauskaitė, interdisciplinary art creator Dr. GoraParasit, photographer Darius Petrulaitis, designers Kotryna Butautytė, Audrey Large, Delphine Lejeune, Clara Schweers and Kurina Sohn and artists Eglė Pilkauskaitė and Rūta Palionytė. Their contemporary works emerge from the interpretation of Lithuanian museum deposits. In this way, the contrast of contemporary and historical works helps us to consider how we interact with furniture and the space.
Alongside this variety, design objects from different brands and designers from different countries, such as Dirk van der Kooij, Moustache, Tadeáš Podracký, Lucas Muñoz Muñoz and Ines Sistiaga, Tuomas Markunpoika, Mantas Lesauskas, jot. jot, EMKO, Leo Maher, Carolina Sardal Jerhov, Benjamin Motoc, Studio Luuk van Laarhoven, are also on display.
Tadeas Podracky (b. 1989, Czech Republic) is an experimental designer who seeks authenticity in our immediate surroundings. Through material research, questioning craft heritage, and a hands-on approach, Podracky proposes a new methodology. He uses a reformulated approach to design, based on exploring expression, destruction, and accepting individuality.
Whether it is an object or space, he is always looking for a way to break down the established principles of "good" design to bring new possibilities and emphasize the multi-layered identities of the contemporary individual.
Tadeas Podracky went through the design and fine art academic training. He received an MA at the Academy of Art Architecture and Design in Prague; completed study internships in the Fine Art studio at the School of Visual Arts (New York) and in the Monumental Sculpture studio at the Academy of Fine Arts (Prague). After independent practice, he completed an MA in Contextual Design from the Design Academy Eindhoven.
His work won the AD design award and CGD award and has been internationally exhibited, notably Design Miami Basel, FOG San Francisco, Maison et Objet Paris, Mudac museum Lausanne, Designblok Prague, Salone del Mobile Milano, London Design Festival, Dutch Design Week. Podracky was invited as a guest designer to several design residencies, Design Biennial (Venice), Fellowship in Creative Glass Center of America at WheatonArts (USA), and Yuhang Rong Design Library (China).