This new series, Design bites, unveil the backstage of contemporary creation. Tackling various topics from personal designer processes to the position of Collectible design on the global design market; these bites offer different views to suit all tastes. Today we talk with Modern Shapes Gallery.

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COLLECTIBLE: What tips would you give to a collector who wishes to start collecting contemporary design?

Modern Shapes Gallery: Be intuitive. If you have a love for design and art your gut feel will probably be a good guide. Make sure you love it, connect with it, want to live with. Craftmanship and rarity are additional components of good design. I personally place great importance on technical mastery and creative restraint. Design objects are great to start a collection with, as they can add an accent without requiring too much space or budget.

“For me, collectible objects are those that come to raise questions, that make you want to investigate on material, process, reason to exist. But most of all those that trigger an emotional reaction when experiencing their physical presence.”

C:  How would you describe the boundary between functional art and collectible design? Where do you situate your practice between those two?

MSG: The biggest challenge is probably the definition as such. The difference between design and art is not so clear-cut. Especially for a gallery permanently on the crossroad of art, design, craft and architecture. Collectible design seems to have moved more into the realm of Functional Art. With a more sculptural presence and function tends to become secondary. I personally welcome this trend as it provides me with a larger overlap to present our program. For me, collectible objects are those that come to raise questions, that make you want to investigate material, process, reason to exist. But most of all those that trigger an emotional reaction when experiencing their physical presence.

C: Can you talk about the designers you present for COLLECTIBLE SALON, what makes their practice/pieces unique.

MSG: We are very excited to present the work of Stockholm based artists and architects Maximilian Olsson and André Prusic for the very first time. ABSID is the sculptural output of their artistic exploration within digital and analogue creation and manufacturing techniques. Resulting in extraordinary objects triggering curiosity and raising so many questions. Digitally created forms are 3D printed as lost molds to cast pigmented concrete. Unique and difficult to categorize. A perfect match with our program and vision.

C: What is the relation you hold with the designers you work with.

MSG: I have a very personal and close relationship with the artist/designers we work with. Our program is defined by encounters and individual relationships rather than trends or market evolution. Sometimes I think the program might be an alibi for welcoming these extraordinary and passionate individuals into my life. Some are just 30-year-old and have never shown their work, others are 86 and in public collections all over the world. To all, I try to be a strong partner in generating visibility as well as being a listening ear, a mirror, a coach and a friend. But most of all I do not forget the purpose of our relationship and consider them as clients who expect a certain level of service and results.

About Modern Shapes Gallery

Modern Shapes Gallery is specialised in unique contemporary and modern sculptural art with an emphasis on ceramics. It is as much a gallery as it is a curated platform. It presents a very personal and balanced selection of objects, often sitting at the crossroads between design, art and architecture.