Posted by sabine7
Interview | 26 Apr 07 | Comments (0) | Stumble
The Bladeren wall-hanging/room divider by Amsterdam’s Frederik Molenschot is a lush adventure in felt. The leaves of many colours can be combined by way of tab and slot to create a waterfall of mixed leaves, cascading down as a visual installation with practical uses. We wanted to know more about this design that mixes whimsy with practicality. "The ideal use for the Bladeren, is to hang it in a space or on a wall as a big pack of leaves and when you feel like it, you can pull it out as curtain to divide a space or decorate your wall differently or close off your windows!"
Frederik, what can you tell us about the Bladeren leaves? What other materials are used and what colour combinations are available? Is the use of felt an intentional effort towards being eco-friendly?
Yes, of course, it can be recycled!
The Bladeren are based on the little flowers in the grass of which you can make a necklace ! Materials: Wool-felt (all colors), Rubber (Black), Leather (all Colors), Paper (printable, so any color any logo).
The world is already full of 'stuff' – as a designer, why do you choose to create more?
You are right - the world is full of stuff, but I think it’s very important to keep our surroundings happy and nice to live in, with that comes the fact that people happen to like changing their spaces once in a while to freshen it up and to get new energy, which results in a happier life! Next to that I have an enormous drive to create stuff, kind of addicted to designing.
But I think you are pointing at the changing climate?! In my work and life, I'm trying to keep this in mind and sometimes I make a statement in my design to tell people this story! It will be a process for everybody to live with this problem in their daily lives. (As a matter of fact, right now I'm working on a furniture project which is based on people living on higher levels because of the rising sea level, the furniture is inspired by mountain tops).
