Maria Bruun
Instagram takeover
Post 1/6: My name is Maria Bruun. I am a Furniture and Object designer based in Copenhagen, Denmark. When I was asked to be one of the contributing designers for Connected I instantly thought it was an interesting experiment. Asking a number of designers with different backgrounds to create the same foundation - during lockdown, spending so much time at home, and everyone at the same time - I really started reflecting on the objects, materials, forms and functionalities around me. I need to be surrounded by aesthetic, soft and pleasing forms. I also need to be surrounded by function, system and order - and a space that is only mine - where I can immerse myself. Today I will be taking over AHEC’s Instagram to share a few thoughts on how this pandemic has created a new reality. I will also be sharing sketches of my contribution and thought process.
Post 2/6: My concept works around a soft aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye. With characteristic details that looks easy - as if they were always meant to be like that - but it is extremely complex craftsmanship and an example of a piece of bespoke furniture that Benchmark does so well. Expect a ‘safe space’ a ‘table for one’ where work and personal life can collide - and when the world is back to normal we can fold the table out and invite the ones we love to sit with us again!
Post 3/6: The piece is titled ‘Nordic Pioneer’. An important characteristic of a pioneer is to explore new knowledge, take away from a situation and then transform and activate that knowledge into a new context. The furniture is pioneering in a time when the concept of housing is changing, and we all stand to be pioneers in a time of global change, pandemic, climate change etc. Pioneers must be flexible and adaptable - therefore the furniture can be changed as needed. The manufacturers and craftsmen at Benchmark are pioneers in their use of the material as well as in their technical execution of the piece. ⠀ ⠀ Very early on in my process the detail of the foot became important in relation to the ‘pioneering’ character of the furniture. I had a desire for the furniture to have a moving character, almost as if they were transformative on their own behalf.
Post 4/6: Walks, talks and nature…. I work mainly in wood… I find that wood is an amazing material. The fascination of receiving a log, knowing its time and place in the world. To saw, cut, trim and plan the wood – controlling the forces studying its veins and structure, refining its curves and re-constructing it. And consequently, adding all that value into a single piece of furniture or object – it fascinates me every time!
Post 5/6: Scale modelling & 1:1 tests from the workshop…⠀ Most times I make sure to do prototypes or tests in the workshop. This time around it has unfortunately not been a possibility. Over the years I have become more and more skilled in the workshop and I have an enormous respect for the craftsmanship that is carried out a Benchmark. When you yourself has tried to saw up the timber or operate the drills, milling or CNC, it affects your way of creating - when you know how to operate the materials in the systems you can challenge the process and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Post 6/6: Creating from afar is starting to get a little frustrating! But receiving an update from Mark from Benchmark saved my day! Finally we started producing the marble feet on the lathe.
